Can I Do Laser Hair Removal When Pregnant?
Laser hair removal is a great way to remove hair from your body permanently. There are many reasons why people choose laser hair removal: it’s safe, it works well, and it doesn’t require any downtime.
In this article, we will talk about whether or not you can do laser hair removal when pregnant. We will also discuss whether or not there are any risks associated with using this procedure when you are pregnant.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses intense pulses of light to destroy the root of your hair follicles. This means that once the root is destroyed, the hair will no longer grow back in that area. The goal of this procedure is to get rid of as much unwanted hair as possible so that you can feel confident about how your body looks in swimsuits or short skirts without having to worry about awkward patches of stubble appearing on your legs or underarms.
can i do laser hair removal when pregnant
When carrying a child, pregnant women’s bodies go through a lot of changes. And one of those hormonal changes is unwanted hair growth. Whether you’re seeing hairs sprout in new places, or your belly is so big you can’t shave your legs, you might consider laser hair removal.
But is laser hair removal safe while pregnant? What effects can laser treatment have on the body and, more importantly, the baby?
Keep reading to learn if it’s safe to undergo laser hair removal while you’re pregnant.
How Does Pregnancy Affect Hair Growth?
When you’re pregnant, it’s easy to feel like you are not yourself. Some women glow with excitement and glee for nine months, while others aren’t so happy with the changes their body is going through.
During pregnancy, your hormones are pumping at an all-time high, which affects your normal hair growth cycle. During those nine months, many women start to see hair growth in unwanted places like the face, neck, belly, and breasts.
Learn more about facial hair removal methods.
To understand how pregnancy affects hair growth, it’s essential to know how the hair growth cycle works.
The Hair Growth Cycle
Hair goes through three stages.
In the growth stage, the hair follicle begins the process and creates the hair.
In the intermediate phase, the hair continues to grow.
And in the final phase, which is sometimes called the resting phase, the hair sheds or falls out.
Pregnancy hormones delay the final phase, meaning that hair doesn’t fall out as quickly. So many women notice thicker, fuller growth or new hairs appearing in places where they didn’t appear before.
It’s easy to see why many pregnant women may be attracted to laser hair removal. After all, when you’re not feeling great for nine months, a little grooming or pampering can go a long way to making you feel better.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Pregnant Women?
Many healthcare providers advise that you do not get laser hair removal while you’re pregnant.
Laser hair removal is safe, but are currently no long-term studies that analyze the effects of laser hair treatment on unborn children. For this reason, it is best to play it safe.
Wait until after you’ve given birth to begin laser hair removal treatments.
Related: Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
So what are you supposed to do with all that hair? When you’re pregnant, it’s best to err on the side of caution and stick to shaving. Waxing, depilatory creams, and other unconventional hair removal methods are also not recommended for pregnant women. If you’re concerned about hair growth, consult with your doctor before using any method other than shaving.
We’re not saying that laser procedures are unsafe for pregnant women. There simply isn’t enough research to make a determination.
If you’re seeing thicker hair growth or have hair growing in new places, don’t worry. Once the pregnancy hormones subside, your hair should return to your normal growth cycle about six months after giving birth.
Is It Safe To Get Laser Hair Removal While Breastfeeding?
Medical professionals generally accept that laser hair removal is safe while breastfeeding, but some experts advise against getting the procedure on your chest.
Before you undergo laser hair removal while breastfeeding, consult with your physician.
Except for Pregnant Women, Laser Hair Removal Is Safe
Pregnant women aside, laser hair removal is safe. Most people do not experience any long-term side effects. Temporary side effects are common and can include redness, swelling, and irritation of the treated area. Any skin irritation is minor and short-lived.
But not all laser hair removal procedures are the same. Different technicians use different lasers and various methods of cooling and soothing the skin. If you’re thinking about laser hair removal, make sure to have a licensed and certified laser technician perform the procedure.
It’s also important to find a technician that uses a state-of-the-art laser, as well as an effective cooling system. These two elements combined make the treatments more comfortable and the process more effective. At LaserAll, we trust the Astanza ReSmooth laser and the Zimmer Cryo cooling device.
To find a certified laser technician near you, check online ratings, and read the reviews of what other customers have to say. If you know people who have had hair removal treatment in the past, ask them for references to help you find a laser clinic that you can trust. Don’t assume that just because a spa or clinic advertises hair removal services that they have the proper credentials.
The bottom line? Laser hair removal IS safe when performed by experienced, licensed, and certified technicians. Just don’t do it while you’re pregnant.
Conclusion
During pregnancy, hormone levels change and excess hair growth is typical, but that doesn’t mean you should run to get laser hair removal treatment.
Laser hair removal is safe, but there isn’t enough research to know if it’s safe for the unborn baby. Pregnant women should avoid laser treatment until after they’ve given birth. If you’re dealing with unwanted facial hair, stick with traditional hair removal methods like shaving. Avoid hair removal creams and laser skin treatments to eliminate the risk of negative effects.
When you’re pregnant, your primary focus should be on the health of yourself and your baby.
Give birth to that happy, healthy baby first. Focus on getting through those first few months of sleepless nights and constant feeding sessions. When all of that is behind you, you’ll be ready to schedule your laser hair removal treatment as a well-deserved reward!
can laser hair removal cause miscarriage
Pregnancy and all the hair
When you’re pregnant, your body is awash with hormones. Higher levels of estrogen and androgen can cause hair to grow in places where it never appeared before, especially in the third trimester.
You could suddenly notice hair on your belly, face, neck, breasts, and arms. The good news is that this hair growth is quite common, and it generally goes away on its own after the baby arrives.
Pregnancy hormones not only affect where hair suddenly sprouts and how much of it you have to deal with, they also change the growth cycle of your hair.
The hairs on your head and your body all have an active growth phase called anagen. When the hair is fully grown, it enters a resting state called telogen, after which it falls out.
Pregnancy hormones delay the “falling out” phase, which might be why you notice thicker, fuller hair. Your body simply isn’t letting go of the usual amount of hair.
About three to six months after the baby arrives and your hormones normalize, the extra hair will fall out. This sudden loss of hair is called telogen effluvium.
The estrogen-induced hair growth, combined with the increasing difficulty of reaching some parts of your body as your belly grows, may have you wondering whether you should schedule an appointment for laser hair removal as an alternative to shaving, waxing, or using depilatory creams.
