You may be wondering, is laser hair removal safe for pregnancy? This can be a really scary question to ask, but let’s get real here. If you’re pregnant and considering laser hair removal, the answer is probably yes! If you Google the topic, you’ll find a lot more questions than answers. A better way to approach this question is to ask yourself: Is it safe to remove my hair while I am pregnant? We will look at what is known, what is not known and how to proceed with your choice of removing or reducing unwanted facial or body hair.
Although laser hair removal is generally considered a safe procedure, doctors and dermatologists usually advise women to avoid the procedure because no studies have been done to prove that it’s safe for mothers and babies. In the absence of research, doctors err on the side of caution
Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Pregnant, can laser hair removal cause miscarriage and Is It Safe to Get Laser Skin Resurfacing During Pregnancy?
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Pregnant
Although there’s no research into getting laser hair removal specifically while pregnant, there are potential risks that being pregnant can make you more susceptible to. Dr. Nazarian lets us in on why it is strongly discouraged.
“There are risks of complications, specifically skin burns, and given the altered hormonal state in pregnancy, this risk may be theoretically increased,” she shares. “There is also potential for the laser treatments to be less effective during pregnancy.” She stresses that the benefits are far outweighed by the risk of complications.
Other reasons to avoid getting laser hair removal while pregnant also involve the aforementioned pregnancy hormones. “If a burn occurs, you heal slower when pregnant and are more likely to hyper-pigment,” cautions Dr. Lupo. The latter makes sense seeing as how conditions like melasma (a.k.a. the pregnancy mask) tend to arise in pregnant people, as well as those who get hormone replacement therapy or take birth control pills.4
The additional hormones flowing through their systems cause telltale signs of melasma to appear—grayish-brown or brown patches on the face.5 And anything that irritates your skin, like lasers or even harsh skincare products, can also leave dark mark.
Why You Should Not Get Laser Hair Removal While Pregnant?
The most important things to keep top of mind while you’re pregnant are you and your little one’s health and safety. When we said there hasn’t been enough research on getting laser hair removal while pregnant, we admit, we were being generous. In fact, there have been no studies on the topic—zilch.3
It may not have any effect on your baby. But, then again, it might. No one knows. And, just like you wouldn’t walk around blindfolded while pregnant, nor should you venture into a treatment when the science behind it lives in the dark.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is exactly what it sounds like—removing hair with a laser. Most commonly, people get this noninvasive treatment on their face, armpits, legs, pubic area, and trunk.1 And it’s pretty popular. Prior to the pandemic, over one million people got laser hair removal in 2019. (That number dropped slightly due to nationwide COVID-19 lockdowns that occurred in 2020.)2 It works by using highly concentrated light, or lasers, to remove hair.1
“The pigment in the [hair] follicle is targeted,” says Mary P. Lupo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Lupo Center for Aesthetic & General Dermatology in New Orleans. ”When it absorbs the laser’s energy, it generates heat that permanently reduces the follicle.” This inhibits hair from growing, decreasing or eliminating it in the treated area.
However, it’s not a one-and-done kind of treatment. It only affects hairs that are in an active stage of growth. Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC explains, “It requires multiple treatments, and works best on darker, thicker hairs.” When the hair grows back, it will be lighter, thinner, and sparser.
Laser hair removal also slows down hair growth, but it’s not necessarily a permanent solution. Some people require maintenance treatments periodically.
Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives
Alternatives to laser hair removal while pregnant are fairly simple—back to the basic tried-and-true techniques that have been around for millennia. Both Dr. Lupo and Dr. Nazarian recommend shaving, waxing, or plucking as your go-tos to get rid of unwanted hair.
If you’re still in the pregnancy-planning phase, however, you could try this proactive, strategic approach. “[People] should consider initiation of laser treatment before pregnancy to make grooming and styling habits easier when they’re pregnant.”
Get ahead of the pregnancy curve and start laser hair removal before you become pregnant, if you can. Just remember to give plenty of leeway as you’ll need multiple sessions. The time you need between each one varies on the area being treated, but it is generally a four-to-six week period.6 So, give yourself a healthy buffer, and start a few months before you expect to become pregnant.
Is It Safe to Get Laser Skin Resurfacing During Pregnancy?
We get it, the idea of smoother, firmer skin can be tempting, particularly when you’re dealing with new pregnancy-induced skin concerns. But, unfortunately, research is limited as to whether or not it’s safe to get laser skin resurfacing during pregnancy. So, it may be best to hold off on until your little one arrives.3
“It is not recommended to undergo laser skin resurfacing while pregnant,” Dr. Murphy-Rose says. “And it is recommended to always avoid cosmetic laser procedures, [especially] during the first trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is the highest.”
Though, she admits, there are some healthcare providers out there who will perform the treatment on pregnant people—or even get it themselves in their second or third trimester. But the majority recommend postponing it until after delivery.
Every pregnancy is different. Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider about your circumstances if you have any questions about getting laser skin resurfacing while pregnant.
Why You Should Not Get Laser Skin Resurfacing During Pregnancy
Whenever any potential benefits outweigh the risks of a given treatment—even unknown ones—it’s probably best to take a pass. “While it is not believed that laser skin resurfacing will harm a fetus, there is not sufficient data available to show that it is safe,” cautions Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Given all of the many variables in pregnancy, and because laser resurfacing is not necessary, it is wise to wait until you are no longer pregnant.”
After all, though each month of pregnancy may feel like an eternity, it’s only a temporary state. And with all that comes with preparing and caring for a new baby—even if this isn’t your first time around—there are other pregnancy-safe options you can try to help improve your skin concerns. (More on those in a bit.) First, let’s go over some risks that come along with laser skin resurfacing—pregnant or not.