Hair Removal During Pregnancy: Effective Methods
During pregnancy, hormones make your hair grow thicker, sometimes in unexpected and unwanted places. While some hair removal methods should be avoided, there are some tips to keep in mind to remove hair safely when you’re pregnant.
Increased blood flow and hormones levels in a woman’s body during pregnancy can affect the skin, nails, and hair. Unfortunately, these factors also lead to hair growth, with things only returning to normal about six month after giving birth and finishing breastfeeding.
One reason for this is that estrogen levels rise in pregnant women. This prolongs the growth and transition phases of the hair growth cycle, with less hair being lost during this phase.
This can be great when it comes to the hair on your head, but less so in terms of your armpits and legs. With this in mind, here are some effective hair removal methods to use during pregnancy.
Hair removal methods for pregnant women
Here are some of the safest hair removal methods to use during pregnancy. Take note and choose the one that’s best suited to your needs.
1. Hair removal: depilatory creams
Depilatory creams are one of the most popular methods for removing hair during pregnancy. Of course, you should use this method only if you’ve done it before, since there are chemicals in the cream that can sometimes cause irritation in sensitive skin.
In addition, you should know that there is no real evidence to suggest that depilatory creams can harm a developing fetus. However, it’s always recommended to consult a doctor before using this kind of product.
2. Electric razors
Electric razors can be used throughout pregnancy. It’s one of the safest options when it comes to hair removal. As with any of the other methods, caution should be exercised. Only use clean, disinfected razors.
3. Wax
While there is no medical reason to stop using wax as you normally would, it can lead to some of the same skin sensitivity issues as electric razors.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to perform a small patch test before performing a full wax. This will allow you to see what effects it has on your skin and how you feel doing it.
“You should use depilatory creams only if you’ve done it before, since there are chemical ingredients that can sometimes cause irritation in sensitive skin.”
4. Shaving
To remove unwanted hair in larger areas, you can shave if necessary. Shaving is an easy option you can do at home, and it doesn’t involve painfully pulling out the root or using chemicals absorbed through the skin.
This method requires the use of shaving foam, and most women tend to do it in the shower. Taking into account that the shower may lead to slips, we recommend asking your partner for help.
5. Laser treatments
There is no clinical evidence to suggest that laser hair removal is unsafe during pregnancy. However, it isn’t usually recommended because your skin tone can be affected by increased melanin production when you’re pregnant.
This means that there is a risk of greater sensitivity to laser treatments and possible permanent damage to skin pigmentation. With this in mind, it’s best to postpone any laser treatments until after the baby is born.
6. Electrolysis
Finally, there’s electrolysis, a method that uses heat instead of electricity. For this reason, it’s an option you may want to consider.
However, you should know that, as with laser hair removal, it isn’t possible to definitively say how safe this method is during pregnancy. If you want to use this method while pregnant, you’ll need to get written authorization from your doctor before receiving treatments.
In addition, keep in mind that, during pregnancy, hormonal changes can make your body hair thicker and darker. It can also appear in new places, while increased blood flow can make your skin much more sensitive.
Due to these factors, it’s important to carefully consider the best hair removal methods during pregnancy and make the choice that’s most appropriate for your situation. Before settling on an answer, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor.
