Laser Hair Removal and Pregnancy: Is it Safe? Our Experts Answer

The safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy has been questioned many times. During pregnancy, shaving your hair can be hard; you have a belly, can’t see your legs, and you know leg hair keeps growing. You may be tempted to walk to book an appointment at your nearest laser clinic and get it over with, but you might want to consider some things first.

Before leaping to undergo laser treatments during pregnancy, read our article by our experts at Zap Laser Center. In this post, we’ll talk about whether or not laser hair removal is safe during pregnancy, how it works, and what happens to your hair during pregnancy. We’ll also advise you on what factors to consider and alternative hair removal methods.

Keep reading to learn more about laser hair removal and pregnancy.

 Is Laser Hair Removal Safe During Pregnancy?

According to many healthcare professionals, expecting women should not undergo laser hair removal procedures. Zap Laser Center doesn’t recommend it, either. If you are pregnant, want to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding, skipping your next laser hair appointment is the smart thing to do. 

The American Pregnancy Association and our experts at Zap Laser Center advise completely avoiding electrolysis during pregnancy.

Sometimes, the heat completely destroys the follicle. Other times, the hair reappears, but it is finer and lighter than before. Some people undergo several laser treatments before they see permanent results. 

Another type of laser hair removal uses an electric current. This technique could affect the baby because the amniotic fluid acts as a conductor. 

What Happens To Hair Growth During Pregnancy?

When you’re pregnant, your body naturally produces more estrogen and androgens, which can cause hair to grow quicker and thicker in places it has never appeared before. You can even grow hair on your neck and on your stomach, which frustrates many pregnant women. 

Booking an appointment to get rid of all that hair might be tempting. If you really want to undergo a laser treatment, we recommend consulting with your OB-GYN first. Most laser centers will ask for a letter from your physician if you’re pregnant. 

Laser Hair Removal Pregnancy Facts And Concerns

• Doctors are especially concerned about the impact of laser treatments on the fetus. Without any proper studies, no concrete evidence can be formed. Therefore, laser experts, dermatologists, and other physicians recommend avoiding it and using alternative methods. 
• Your skin becomes incredibly sensitive and tender. Laser treatments can be more painful than usual and cause more redness and irritation. 
• Studies have shown that laser is safe to treat diseases like kidney stones and genital warts in pregnant women, but no data supports it as a cosmetic procedure.
• Hyperpigmentation occurs during pregnancy. This means your skin becomes darker. Laser hair removal is more effective when there’s a contrast between the color of your skin and your hair. 
• Pregnancy also changes your natural’s natural hair growth cycle. Laser hair removal has to be done during the active growth phase, so if the cycle changes, you could accidentally get the treatment done too early or too late. 

 I Had a Laser Hair Removal Treatment Done, and I’m Pregnant. Should I Worry? 

If you have already undergone a laser hair removal treatment during pregnancy, always consult your physician about the potential risks. Though experts agree that you and your baby are probably safe, it’s best to suspend all laser treatments until after pregnancy.

Alternative Hair Removal Methods During Pregnancy

There are many alternatives to laser methods to remove unwanted hair. Here are some hair removal techniques that you can consider instead: 

• Shaving: Though uncomfortable, this is probably the most affordable method of removing unwanted hair. It might be difficult for pregnant women to shave their hair with a razor, so consider asking your partner for help!
• Waxing: This method is also safe during pregnancy. Remember that your skin is prone to irritation and more sensitive than usual, which might hurt. Use a soothing lotion after waxing to reduce irritation. 
• Threading: This is a really old method of removing hair. It involves using a twisted cotton thread to catch and remove unwanted hairs from the follicle. It doesn’t include chemicals and can be beneficial during pregnancy. However, it takes precision and might hurt more than usual because of skin sensitivity. 
• Depilatory Creams: Most shaving creams have barium sulfide powder and calcium thioglycolate. No studies show the effects of these chemicals on the fetus. If you want to use depilatory creams, you can. Try on a patch of skin to see how your body reacts to the chemical before applying it to a more significant portion of your body. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy because there is no evidence of its effect on the fetus. Hair growth increases during gestation, and pregnant individuals may be tempted to use more permanent methods for removal, but experts agree that it’s not recommended. It can also increase the risk of side effects like irritation and swelling. 

We recommend using other methods, such as shaving, waxing, threading, and depilatory creams, to remove unwanted hair. Always consult with your physician before undergoing any type of cosmetic laser procedure during pregnancy. Waiting until after pregnancy to resume laser treatments is recommended by dermatologists, OB-GYNs, and other laser experts.