Is Laser Hair Removal Safe During Breastfeeding?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
6 Min Read

Many pregnant women experience changes to their hormone levels during gestation, leading them to experience thickening hair in areas it hadn’t before. This can result in additional hair follicles growing where none existed previously.

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Moms-to-be frequently inquire if laser hair removal is safe during breastfeeding. To be safe, it is advisable to wait until postpartum recovery has taken place before beginning any type of treatments such as laser.

No

Women often wonder whether laser hair removal affects breastfeeding or their baby. This is an understandable concern as many mothers-to-be find themselves with excess hair during this time and would like it removed as quickly as possible.

Most medical experts agree that laser hair removal during breastfeeding is safe. Before scheduling any treatments, however, it is wise to speak with an obstetrician and get their advice on when would be an optimal time and date to undergo such therapy; they will know when hormone levels have settled back down again and the timing for these types of procedures.

Laser hair removal utilizes Selective Photothermolysis – using laser light to heat and kill off unwanted follicles without harming surrounding tissues and skin cells.

Some individuals worry that laser’s rays may pass through their skin and into an infant’s bloodstream, however this is unlikely. Additionally, there is no indication this treatment will have an impact on either mother or newborn hormone levels; thus it does not pose a health risk to either.

Problems could arise if a mother were to receive topical anesthetic during her treatment, as this could pass through breast milk to cause an adverse reaction in her baby.

If nursing has concluded, then the best course of action would be to wait until then before seeking laser hair removal treatments. To do this properly, find a clinic and technician certified and knowledgeable of procedures designed specifically to treat pregnant and breastfeeding mothers – ask friends and family members for recommendations, read online reviews about technicians before scheduling treatment sessions with them.

Finally, it is essential to keep in mind that other forms of hair removal may also be safe during breastfeeding. Temporary methods like shaving, waxing, threading and tweezing tend to be effective; just make sure it takes place in an sanitary, well-lit space and use an experienced technician in order to avoid infection or irritation.

Considerations should also be given to how pregnancy hormones alter a woman’s hormones, leading to changes in hair growth patterns that could make laser hair removal treatment take longer. It would be prudent for her to consult her obstetrician before proceeding; otherwise she must make sure her levels have returned to their regular levels before beginning treatment.

Yes

Laser hair removal or any other skin treatments have no evidence of adverse side effects for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding; it is still wise to postpone such treatments until after giving birth in order to give your body time to recuperate and to monitor whether your hormone levels return to normal.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can bring about drastic physical changes, including thicker hair growth or hair appearing where it didn’t before. Many women seek ways to temporarily remove unwanted hair during this time. While shaving and waxing may work temporarily, laser hair removal offers a quicker and more permanent solution – though you should check with your physician first about whether laser treatment is safe during breastfeeding.

Laser hair removal involves using light to target pigments within your hair follicles and disable them, thus stopping future hair growth. It’s an efficient and relatively painless method compared to waxing or other methods requiring you to physically remove hair by hand. When considering laser hair removal while breastfeeding, it is vitally important that a qualified and experienced technician is used as they will know exactly how to treat your body with respect and care.

Reasons why it is wise to delay laser hair removal while breastfeeding are numerous: your hormones change rapidly during and after gestation, which could alter melanin production and lead to hypo or hyperpigmentation; furthermore, medications and topical anesthetics used during a laser session could enter breast milk via your blood supply and be detrimental for baby.

Notably, it is also essential that women who start laser hair removal treatment while breastfeeding know they must discontinue immediately if they discover they are pregnant again and consult their physician on when and how soon laser treatment can resume once their baby has arrived.

Before having laser hair removal again after giving birth, it is advised to wait at least 4-6 months after delivery for hormones to have time to level out and stabilize. In the interim, shaving or using other temporary methods of removal should suffice until hormone levels return to their pre-birth levels. Want more information about laser hair removal? Reach out to Bella Medspa now in Fort Collins, Lakewood Westminster Colorado Springs to arrange a free consultation! We look forward to speaking with you and answering all of your queries – we know we can make you feel beautiful and more at ease in your own skin!

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