Laser hair removal is not safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. A full course of laser treatment should not be taken during this time as it may cause birth defects in the fetus. The procedure can result in bodily injury if the equipment is not used properly, and therefore laser hair removal for bikini area during pregnancy or breastfeeding should only be performed by a professional skilled in the process.
Laser hair removal is a very effective form of hair removal, but it is not without side effects. Laser hair removal can cause burns and blistering to the skin. This can be very painful and will leave scars on your skin. The pain that you experience with laser hair removal can last for up to six months after the procedure. The longer you have been using this method of hair removal, the more likely you are to experience these side effects.
Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal For Bikini Area Safe Pregnancy, long term side effects of laser hair removal and Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Pregnant Women?
Is Laser Hair Removal For Bikini Area Safe Pregnancy
When carrying a child, pregnant women’s bodies go through a lot of changes. And one of those hormonal changes is unwanted hair growth. Whether you’re seeing hairs sprout in new places, or your belly is so big you can’t shave your legs, you might consider laser hair removal. But is laser hair removal safe while pregnant? What effects can laser treatment have on the body and, more importantly, the baby? Keep reading to learn if it’s safe to undergo laser hair removal while you’re pregnant.
When you’re pregnant, it’s easy to feel like you are not yourself. Some women glow with excitement and glee for nine months, while others aren’t so happy with the changes their body is going through. During pregnancy, your hormones are pumping at an all-time high, which affects your normal hair growth cycle. During those nine months, many women start to see hair growth in unwanted places like the face, neck, belly, and breasts.
To understand how pregnancy affects hair growth, it’s essential to know how the hair growth cycle works.
The Hair Growth Cycle
Hair goes through three stages.
- In the growth stage, the hair follicle begins the process and creates the hair.
- In the intermediate phase, the hair continues to grow.
- And in the final phase, which is sometimes called the resting phase, the hair sheds or falls out.
Pregnancy hormones delay the final phase, meaning that hair doesn’t fall out as quickly. So many women notice thicker, fuller growth or new hairs appearing in places where they didn’t appear before.
It’s easy to see why many pregnant women may be attracted to laser hair removal. After all, when you’re not feeling great for nine months, a little grooming or pampering can go a long way to making you feel better.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Pregnant Women?
Many healthcare providers advise that you do not get laser hair removal while you’re pregnant. Laser hair removal is safe, but are currently no long-term studies that analyze the effects of laser hair treatment on unborn children. For this reason, it is best to play it safe. Wait until after you’ve given birth to begin laser hair removal treatments.
So what are you supposed to do with all that hair? When you’re pregnant, it’s best to err on the side of caution and stick to shaving. Waxing, depilatory creams, and other unconventional hair removal methods are also not recommended for pregnant women. If you’re concerned about hair growth, consult with your doctor before using any method other than shaving.
We’re not saying that laser procedures are unsafe for pregnant women. There simply isn’t enough research to make a determination.
If you’re seeing thicker hair growth or have hair growing in new places, don’t worry. Once the pregnancy hormones subside, your hair should return to your normal growth cycle about six months after giving birth.
Except for Pregnant Women, Laser Hair Removal Is Safe
Pregnant women aside, laser hair removal is safe. Most people do not experience any long-term side effects. Temporary side effects are common and can include redness, swelling, and irritation of the treated area. Any skin irritation is minor and short-lived.
But not all laser hair removal procedures are the same. Different technicians use different lasers and various methods of cooling and soothing the skin. If you’re thinking about laser hair removal, make sure to have a licensed and certified laser technician perform the procedure.
It’s also important to find a technician that uses a state-of-the-art laser, as well as an effective cooling system. These two elements combined make the treatments more comfortable and the process more effective. At LaserAll, we trust the Astanza ReSmooth laser and the Zimmer Cryo cooling device.
To find a certified laser technician near you, check online ratings, and read the reviews of what other customers have to say. If you know people who have had hair removal treatment in the past, ask them for references to help you find a laser clinic that you can trust. Don’t assume that just because a spa or clinic advertises hair removal services that they have the proper credentials.
The bottom line? Laser hair removal IS safe when performed by experienced, licensed, and certified technicians. Just don’t do it while you’re pregnant.
Long Term Side Effects Of Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a popular way to permanently remove unwanted body hair, but it’s not without side effects.
The most common side effect is pigment changes, which can be temporary or permanent. The treated area can become darker or lighter than the surrounding skin tone. This happens because the laser moves pigment around in the skin. The more pigmentation you have in an area, the more likely it is that you’ll see this side effect after treatment.
Another possible side effect is hyperpigmentation — dark spots that can’t be removed by other means, such as laser treatment or cosmetic creams. Hyperpigmentation usually occurs if you have darker skin or have been exposed to too many sun rays before your treatment. It’s also more likely if your treatment was done on a large area of your body or if you did multiple sessions with different lasers over time (such as when treating both legs). But even people with lighter skin may see this side effect from laser hair removal if they’ve had too much sun exposure in recent weeks or months before their treatment.
Other possible short-term side effects include redness, itching and swelling at the site of treatment; these symptoms should go away within 24 hours after each session