Is Laser Hair Removal While Breastfeeding Safe?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

Is Laser Hair Removal while breastfeeding safe

Laser Hair Removal is an increasingly popular beauty treatment among women. This process removes unwanted hair by subjecting it to pulses of light that penetrate deep into the skin and destroy hair follicle pigmentation.

But is it safe for breastfeeding mothers to undergo laser treatments while breastfeeding? Let’s find out!

It Doesn’t Affect Hormones

Pregnancy brings with it many physical changes to the body, such as new hair growth in unexpected places. While some of this hair may come back once hormone levels return to normal, other pieces may remain — particularly on breasts and nipples.

Laser Hair Removal is a non-invasive skin treatment that employs pulses of light energy to heat and destroy hair follicles, effectively eliminating unwanted hair. Since its introduction in the 1990’s, millions have used Laser Hair Removal successfully with no adverse side effects reported during pregnancy or breastfeeding periods.

However, women breastfeeding shouldn’t undergo laser hair removal while using numbing creams to control pain during this procedure as their contents could enter breastmilk and cause hyper or hypopigmentation in their baby. In addition, hormonal fluctuations during gestation could alter how your skin reacts to treatments like laser hair removal.

Hirsutism, also known as hair hyperplasia, is a condition characterized by excessive hair growth on male-typical body areas like the chest and back. It’s often due to hormonal imbalance and PCOS. Pregnancy increases androgen levels which trigger hirsutism which in turn leads to rapid regrowth of unwanted hair growth; Laser Hair Removal can be an effective method for controlling this but may not be safe during gestation.

Electrolysis (the use of electric currents to permanently remove hair) isn’t approved for use during pregnancy or lactation; therefore, the American Academy of Dermatology advises women waiting until after giving birth before having this form of permanent hair removal treatment done.

Though there has been no definitive evidence linking laser hair removal with gestation or breastfeeding mothers, it is best to exercise extreme caution when seeking cosmetic treatments during this time period. Instead, use traditional hair removal methods like shaving or waxing until your hormone levels have returned to their previous levels; at Mooeys we offer an impressive variety of laser hair removal and skin treatments so be sure to schedule a free consultation now!

It Doesn’t Affect the Mammary Glands

Due to hormonal fluctuations during gestation and breastfeeding, pregnant women and nursing mothers may notice an increase in hair growth that had never previously existed – particularly on their breasts. Because of this issue, many mothers question if laser hair removal would be safe during nursing.

Laser hair removal does not affect either your mammary glands or milk production in any way, since its primary method uses Selective Photothermolysis to heat and destroy pigmented hair follicles with Selective Photothermolysis technology. Because no light from the laser penetrates skin layers, no harm comes to either mammary glands or milk production as a result.

However, topical anesthetic used prior to laser hair removal treatment can enter breast milk and enter your baby’s bloodstream, potentially triggering allergic reactions in them. Therefore it is advisable to wait until after breastfeeding has ended before getting laser hair removal treatments done.

Furthermore, hormones released during gestation may increase skin sensitivity and the likelihood of complications after laser treatments – including hyperpigmentation and redness that may make life extremely uncomfortable for both mother and baby.

Given this potential risk, it is wise to consult your physician prior to undertaking laser treatment while breastfeeding. While it may be possible for you to receive this procedure safely, it is always better to err on the side of caution and reduce potential risks.

There are other temporary hair removal methods, like shaving and waxing, that are generally considered safe when breastfeeding; however, due to changes in body size, these methods may be challenging for use. A professional aesthetician can assist in finding an efficient method for you while breastfeeding by suggesting suitable products and techniques, explaining any potential hazards, as well as scheduling appointments that won’t interfere with nursing schedules.

It Doesn’t Affect the Skin

Laser Hair Removal is an increasingly popular beauty treatment that utilizes light pulses to destroy hair follicles and prevent their regrowth, thus stopping new hair growth from sprouting. While breastfeeding mothers may have concerns about receiving laser treatments while nursing their baby, the procedure does not affect hormones or cause any skin damage and is safe even for women with sensitive skin.

When pregnant or breastfeeding, it is essential that you select an experienced and trustworthy technician. They understand the sensitivity involved with these treatments and will make sure it goes without incident – including avoiding certain numbing creams that could enter breast milk supply.

Numbing cream may help to alleviate discomfort during laser hair removal sessions; however, most women find the mild pain manageable. Some opt for over-the-counter pain relievers while others opt not to use any pain management. Furthermore, laser hair removal usually offers long-term results with no chance of regrowth!

There is no evidence to support that laser treatments use numbing creams which could enter your breast milk and have adverse consequences for the baby, however it would be advisable to pump and discard your milk for 24 hours after treatment in order to make sure there are no trace amounts in your breastfeeding milk supply.

Other than allergic reactions, laser hair removal while breastfeeding may cause temporary discomfort and reddening of the skin, although these effects should dissipate quickly after they cease. It is still wise to consult a medical provider should your symptoms persist for too long; but seek medical advice immediately if this persists for too long.

Some antibiotics and medications may increase sensitivity to sunlight or laser light, hyperpigmentation (including suntan) or other skin issues; however, I’ve reviewed multiple leading expert sources and haven’t seen breastfeeding listed as a contraindication to laser hair removal.

It Doesn’t Affect the Baby

Many women notice a change in their skin and hair during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations that cause hair growth in previously unseen places and thickening overall. Unfortunately, traditional methods for hair removal often use chemical depilatory creams which could harm nursing babies if used during the procedure.

Laser hair removal is an ideal way to address unwanted hair growth, as it uses light energy to heat and destroy hair follicles without harming surrounding tissue. Furthermore, treatments are quick – meaning you don’t have to rush home after each session before feeding your little one again!

Many breastfeeding women wonder whether laser treatment is safe while breastfeeding; as long as no laser treatments are performed on either the nipple and areola, laser treatments should be considered safe. Furthermore, it’s advised that laser treatments start or continue between four and six months postpartum to allow your body to adjust to hormone changes and recover from giving birth.

Women often express concern regarding the topical anesthetic used with laser treatment, which may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals – including babies – so it’s advisable to speak to their physician if this concerns you.

Studies conducted have not demonstrated any risks of laser hair removal for pregnant and breastfeeding women; however, the procedure should be avoided during this time as its results could take longer to appear and could even become less effective due to hormonal shifts.

Deliberately shaving or waxing away extra hair during this period can be an enormous confidence-booster and isn’t too detrimental; once treatment has concluded, hormone levels will quickly return to normal after just a few months have passed. As an interim measure, however, shaving and waxing remain effective methods for hair removal.

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