Laser Hair Removal While Pregnant

Pregnancy brings about a multitude of changes in a woman’s body that can prompt adjustments to beauty and skincare routines. With hormones fluctuating and skin sensitivity increasing, it’s natural to wonder whether laser hair removal is a safe option for pregnant women. In this article, we’ll break down the risk factors expectant mothers should keep in mind.

What Is Laser Hair Removal and How Does it Work?

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that employs concentrated light to remove unwanted hair. During the process, a laser emits a light that’s absorbed by the melanin in the hair. This light energy is converted to heat, which damages the hair follicles within the skin that produce hair. Finally, this damage inhibits future growth.

Unlike shaving or waxing, laser hair removal offers a longer-term solution by targeting the roots of hair beneath the skin’s surface. That said, multiple sessions are typically required to achieve optimal results.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe During Pregnancy?

Though laser hair removal is generally considered to be a safe procedure, there is a lack of conclusive research attesting to its safety for pregnant women. For this reason, most experts recommend postponing the treatment until after pregnancy.

What Happens if I Get Laser Hair Removal While Pregnant?

Some of the risk factors for laser hair removal for pregnant women include:

• Severe Side Effects: Pregnancy can significantly increase skin sensitivity, meaning laser treatments may be more uncomfortable and/or result in more pronounced side effects, such as redness or swelling.
• Poor or Unexpected Results: The hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can affect hair growth patterns, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments or leading to unpredictable results.
• Pigmentation Changes: Pregnant women often experience changes in pigmentation due to hormonal shifts. Undergoing laser hair removal during pregnancy may exacerbate these changes, leading to hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation in the treated area(s).
• Harm to Fetus: The radiation used during laser treatment may pose a risk to the developing fetus. Though there is no conclusive evidence attesting to this risk, most providers advise against this procedure until after childbirth.