Pregnant women’s bodies undergo a variety of changes throughout childbirth. And unwelcome hair growth is one result of these hormonal shifts. You could think about laser hair removal if you’re seeing hair growth in unexpected areas or if your belly is so large that you can’t shave your legs. But is laser hair removal safe during pregnancy? What impact may laser therapy has on the body and, more crucially, the developing child? If you want to know if getting laser hair removal while pregnant is safe, keep reading.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is what it sounds like. A laser is used to remove hair. This non-invasive procedure is most frequently performed on patients’ trunks, pubic regions, armpits, and legs. And a lot of people seem to like it.
It’s not, however, a one-and-done type of treatment. Only hairs that are actively growing are impacted by it. It takes repeated treatments and works best on darker, thicker hairs. The hair will regrow, but it will be paler, thinner, and sparser this time.
How it Works
A laser beam is directed to the area you wish to treat by a doctor or laser technician. By directing heat down the hair shaft and into the follicle, the laser heats each hair’s dark pigment.
If the heat destroys the follicle, it will never grow hair again. However, as we mentioned before, the hair may regrow lighter and finer if the follicle is just injured.
While this isn’t a risky treatment, finding the right laser clinic is still important. That is because, once you start, you’ll have to keep coming back, and it’s better when you know you’re in good hands.
Pregnancy & Hair Growth
It’s simple to feel that you are not yourself while pregnant. For nine months, some women glisten with joy and excitement, while others are less pleased with the changes their bodies are through. Your hormone levels are at an all-time high during pregnancy, impacting your typical hair growth cycle. Throughout those nine months, many women see hair growth in unwelcome areas, including the face, chest, and abdomen. When dealing with this, it’s only natural they consider laser hair removal, but should they go through with it? And is laser hair removal safe during pregnancy?
So, Is It Safe?
Whether or whether something is safe may be a frequent thought for someone who is pregnant or attempting to get pregnant. However, there is not enough data to demonstrate the safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy in any direction. In situations like these, the best course of action is often to proceed with extreme caution and consult your healthcare professional.
In any case, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. When pregnant, it’s essential to avoid huge stressors such as health scares, like you would avoid doing something potentially physically harmful like carrying moving boxes. If you have to move while pregnant, leave it to the pros and hire professional moving experts to help you.
The Research
Although lasers have often been used successfully to treat medical issues, including kidney stones in pregnant women, the studies show that there is currently insufficient safety evidence to justify using lasers for aesthetic operations like laser hair removal.
Because scientists don’t want to take the chance of injuring women and babies by purposefully exposing them to such potentially dangerous goods and procedures, the lack of studies on this topic is unlikely to improve very soon.
Despite the widespread consensus that laser hair removal is a safe procedure, physicians and dermatologists often suggest women avoid it because no studies support its safety for expectant mothers and their unborn children. Due to the absence of studies on this topic, doctors recommend putting your safety and staying cautious above all else.
Risks of Laser Hair Removal During Pregnancy
Although there isn’t much study, particularly on whether is laser hair removal safe during pregnancy, there may be dangers that pregnancy makes you more vulnerable to. For starters, skin burns are a potential complication risk. And, given the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, this risk might rise. Additionally, pregnancy may reduce the effectiveness of laser treatments.
Pregnancy hormones are another reason laser hair removal should be avoided while expecting. When pregnant, you heal from burns more slowly and are more susceptible to hyper pigment. The latter makes sense, given that individuals who receive hormone replacement treatment, use birth control pills, or are pregnant often have disorders like melasma.
How Long Should You Wait After Giving Birth?
Patients should postpone laser hair removal for a few months after giving birth. Although the number of months varies, most agree that three months is optimal. However, for best results, please wait until your body has had time to adjust its hormones before beginning laser hair removal treatments. Moreover, consider that laser hair removal, along with other hair removal treatments, is best done in the fall. Of course, you don’t have to wait that long, but we guarantee it will be worth the wait!
When it comes to laser hair removal while breastfeeding, the issue is not as complicated as during pregnancy. Although most medical specialists concur that laser hair removal is safe during nursing, some authorities advise against having the treatment done on your chest.
In Conclusion
Although excessive hair growth is expected during pregnancy due to altered hormone levels, you shouldn’t rush to have laser hair removal therapy. But the question remains: is laser hair removal safe during pregnancy? Well, the jury is still out. However, you shouldn’t take your safety and well-being too lightly when pregnant. Any time you can, you should consider avoiding all health risks that can have serious consequences, including laser hair removal. So, postpone your laser hair removal until there are enough studies to know for sure.
Meta: Is laser hair removal safe during pregnancy? Continue reading to find out the answer and the possible risks related to this procedure.
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