Aesthetic medicine and hair removal experts of Doral, Florida share the 411 on laser hair removal and whether or not it is safe during pregnancy.
How Should Pregnant People Remove Unwanted Hair?
When a woman becomes pregnant, there are myriad changes that happen to her body. Some are obvious in her physical form, others, such as hormone changes and the like are less obvious to those around her. One of the consequences of pregnancy is that the body tends to increase hair growth and reduce loss. Many women have thicker, longer hair on their heads than they have ever had.
Unfortunately, this is not the only place that hair grows. It can grow darker and more thickly in less desirable locations as well as sprouting up in places it was not visible before. This can lead to a person being self conscious and wondering what the best way is to get rid of the body hair. There are many different forms of treatments for body hair, one of which is laser treatment, but not all of these remedies are good options for a person who is pregnant.
The paragraphs below will discuss available options for hair removal and whether or not they should be done during pregnancy.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Lasers are highly concentrated beams of light that have many practical applications in today’s world. They are used extensively in medicine and aesthetics as well. Laser hair removal is the third most common procedure in the United States.
These beams of light are aimed at areas of the body that have unwanted hair. The hair absorbs the energy and heats up, damaging the follicle that produces the hair. The laser cannot distinguish between dark skin and dark hair, so the best combination for laser removal is dark unwanted hair on lighter toned skin.
It can be a permanent or semi-permanent solution for hair removal in many cases and is generally safe, but it is not a suitable treatment for all people.
Possible Complications from Laser Hair Removal
Though side effects or complications can happen after a laser procedure, laser hair removal has minimal discomfort and any irritation usually subsides very quickly.
Some of the symptoms that people experience include:
- Redness and swelling of skin
- Hyperpigmentation of skin
- Irritation of hair follicle
- Blistering or burning
Because the body’s hormones can affect the way a person’s skin reacts to treatment, pregnant people may be more likely to have irritation or the healing process can be slower due to suppressed immunity.
Though there have been some studies done on laser hair removal and its safety during pregnancy, there is not enough evidence one way or the other, therefore most obstetrics professionals recommend that a pregnant person should delay any laser treatment until after the child has arrived.
What Are the Recommendations and Implications for Someone Who Is Pregnant?
The health of the mother and the baby should be the first priority when contemplating any procedure. There are many different types of hair removal, some of which are considered safe for a person who is pregnant.
These treatments are outlined in detail below.
- Electrolysis: This method uses a needle that sends an electrical charge into the hair follicle. Because it is not known how this could affect the fetus, this is usually not recommended for someone who is pregnant.
- Waxing: Waxing(using warm, pliant wax to grab hairs and pull them out by the roots) is generally safe even in pregnancy, although some areas may be more sensitive to irritation during this time.
- Threading: Another option for manual hair removal, threading is a technique of plucking hairs or thinning them using thread. It is a safe practice during pregnancy as it does not affect the fetus.
- Depilatory Creams: These use chemicals to essentially melt the hair into a gelatinous liquid. Some of the active ingredients may be harmful to the skin of a pregnant person and it is unknown how the chemicals might affect the baby. These are not recommended during pregnancy
- Shaving: The cheapest, most convenient form of hair removal is to rely on the old store-bought razor. It offers no complications for pregnancy except for the difficulty of reaching certain areas with a swollen belly.
The Bottom Line: Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
Laser hair removal is a safe procedure for most people. There are certain conditions under which this treatment will do more harm than good, or there is just not enough information. The experts agree that there is so little known about the effects of laser radiation on an unborn baby that it should be avoided for safety.
The health of the baby and the mother are the top priority and any laser hair removal should be delayed until after the birth.
About FaceBeauty Med Spa
FaceBeauty Med Spa offers a clean, friendly environment in which to have treatments that will make you look and feel your best. Based in Doral, FL near the Miami Airport, we are here to help our clients’ natural beauty shine through. Call today or book your appointment online.
