Pregnancy and hair removal – when should we avoid laser hair removal?

The popularity of the topic „Pregnancy and hair removal“ is huge. Many women who want to get rid of unwanted body hair wonder whether they can undergo the treatment even whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.

This prompted the team of experts at laser centre Body Aesthetics aims to bring together all the necessary information in one place. And not only that – we aim to link this topic with other conditions in which laser hair removal is not recommended. Some of these are temporary contraindications and you should wait for them to pass. Find out what they are.

Pregnancy and hair removal – everything you need to know about the different types of hair removal

When we talk about Pregnancy and hair removal: we need to distinguish between the different types of hair removal. Each has its own specific characteristics, so we will try to answer questions about most methods of removing unwanted hair. We’ll start with the area in which we at Body Aesthetics are most experienced – laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal and pregnancy

Laser hair removal and pregnancy no can, at least at this stage, go hand in hand. It is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women, and it is not advisable for breastfeeding women to undergo laser hair removal. In both cases, this is not because it is proven dangerous for them. It’s just that There are as yet no clinical studies on pregnant and breastfeeding women regarding the effect on the foetus/baby. Medicines and treatments are not usually tested on such groups, as this is uncertain, risky and rather expensive.

Apart from this reason, there are two more reasons why laser hair removal and pregnancy are incompatible. The laser’s effectiveness will be compromised by hormonal imbalances. For this reason, we cannot guarantee that we will achieve the desired result or how many sessions it will take.

And last but certainly not least – During pregnancy, a woman’s body produces a very large amount of oestrogen. They stimulate melanocyte activity and, consequently, the synthesis of melanin – the pigment responsible for skin colour. This is why, during this period and whilst breastfeeding, there may be an increased risk of developing pigmentation spots if you undergo laser hair removal and are subsequently exposed to the sun. Our advice is to wait. We know how much you want smooth and radiant skin right now, but it’s better to achieve it in the correct and proven safe way. Safety first!

Colamasca and pregnancy

Pregnancy and hair removal using henna is a combination that also has its pros and cons. Different skin types react differently to this method of hair removal at this particular stage in your pregnancy. Some are more sensitive and may experience greater discomfort during the procedure, leading to irritation and inflammation. And inflammation is more difficult to treat during pregnancy.

Some pregnant women find that colamaska is a gentler and more effective method than waxing. If you are one of them, you can prevent infection and reduce skin irritation and redness. This is achieved by using an antiseptic lotion before and after the kolamaska treatment.

Creams and hair removal during pregnancy

This is a common method, for example, for removing hair from the stomach during pregnancy. The main concerns regarding the effect of depilatory creams on the foetus relate to two active ingredients they contain. These are barium sulphide and calcium thioglycolate. There is no evidence from clinical trials to suggest that they are harmful to pregnant women, but there is also no evidence to prove that they are safe.

If you decide to use this method, you must first carry out a patch test. To do this, test the effect of your chosen product on a small area of skin. Once exposed to oxygen, the chemicals in these creams give off a distinctive odour. It is rather unpleasant and can sometimes cause an allergic reaction. If, after a while, your skin looks fine, then you can proceed. However, Our advice is to avoid this method whilst pregnant and whilst breastfeeding (and in general, too).  At the very least consult a healthcare professional beforehand.

Shaving and pregnancy

At this particular stage of your pregnancy, shaving isn’t the easiest option. This is especially true when it comes to removing hair from the bikini line whilst pregnant.

Use a daily moisturiser to prevent irritation caused by shaving. Those containing vitamin E can help some women who shave less frequently. If you’re having trouble reaching certain areas during this time, take care or ask your partner for help. This will help you avoid nicks and cuts.

When else can we not carry out laser hair removal?

As well as the fact that laser hair removal and pregnancy are incompatible, there are other conditions in which this method of hair removal is contraindicated. Let’s look at each of these cases in turn.

• Tan – This is a temporary contraindication, but a very serious reason to postpone laser treatments. The light emitted by alexandrite lasers used for hair removal is absorbed most effectively by the melanin in the hair. If there is a large amount of melanin in the skin, the light will also be absorbed by it. This creates a risk of skin burns, as the laser operates on the principle of photothermal exchange. When the light penetrates deeply, it is converted into heat, which is intended to cut off the blood supply to the hair follicle so that it no longer produces hair. However, when this occurs in the skin, there is a risk of burns, the severity of which varies depending on the amount of melanin. More melanin absorbs more laser light; this is converted into more heat energy and causes more severe burns. So, when you’re pregnant, forget about sun exposure, artificial tanning, self-tanning products, sunbeds, injections and tanning pills for about a year. After that, once your skin is smooth again, you can build up a healthy tan, but once more, for healthy and youthful skin, don’t forget your sun protection!
• Skin conditions, wounds, irritation, allergies and inflammation in the affected area or over a large area of the skin – In such cases, we cannot carry out treatment at Body Aesthetics, as we may make the condition worse. If there is a wound in a small part of the area, we can work around it and treat the rest. If the problem affects the entire area we are going to treat, we must wait until the problem has completely cleared up.
• Other laser treatments in the area, heat-based treatments, cosmetic treatments using specific medications – There are many procedures that are not compatible with one another, so you have to wait. Sometimes you need to wait two days, sometimes seven, and sometimes even a whole month between them. You should ask your therapist specifically if another procedure or treatment has been carried out in that area.
• Taking certain antibiotics and medicines, as well as some medical cosmetics and certain cosmetic products – This is because there are certain medicines and ointments that cause the skin to become photosensitive. They make the skin particularly sensitive to exposure to sunlight or laser light. After using such products, you should usually wait around 7–10 days before having a treatment. Simply ask your therapist if you are taking any medication.
• Vitiligo (leucoderma/white skin) – If you have vitiligo, you must obtain a referral from a dermatologist before we can carry out laser hair removal treatments. (It does not matter whether the area where the treatment is to be carried out is affected by the condition or not.) The risk associated with laser hair removal in people with this condition is the possibility of an increase in the number and size of depigmented patches. There is also a risk of stimulating the appearance of new patches, as the aetiology of the condition and the effect of the laser in its presence are still unclear.
• Lupus, unexplained skin conditions – It is also necessary to consult the treating doctor, as we may cause adverse reactions if the patient is currently undergoing treatment. If the condition is under control, the doctor’s consent is required once again before laser hair removal can be carried out.
• Neoplasm, history of cancer, chemotherapy and radiotherapy – in the event of malignant diseases or a history thereof, a further assessment of the patient’s condition by the treating and supervising doctor is required before proceeding with the procedure. In accordance with the manufacturer’s protocol GentleLase Pro, laser hair removal can be carried out no sooner than three years after remission. (Unless otherwise advised by a specialist.) The reason, once again, is that there has not been sufficient research carried out on such groups of people to clarify the procedure for its application. Don’t forget, when you ask yourself Is laser hair removal harmful?, that she cannot cause cancer. 
• A tattoo or permanent make-up in that area – The presence of metal particles in inks and pigments, as well as dark colours that absorb the laser light, make it absolutely contraindicated to perform laser hair removal on an area with a tattoo. This does not mean that we cannot treat the area around it – we simply avoid the tattoo by maintaining a safe distance of around 1 cm from its outline. Not only would we damage the tattoo or make-up, but there is also a risk of burns and scarring.
• Peeling or exfoliation in the area – Any form of peeling, injury or irritation to the skin carries a risk that the heat from the laser could cause discomfort or burns. Any such procedures must be carried out at least 10 days before and 10 days after laser hair removal.

To conclude the topic „Pregnancy and hair removal“

We hope we have answered all your questions on the topic of „Pregnancy and hair removal“. Or at least the most important ones. If, however, you need further clarification regarding laser hair removal and pregnancy in particular, please contact the expert team at Body Aesthetics. You will receive a detailed and completely free consultation, after which you will be able to collect a fully informed decision.

In the meantime, whilst you’re waiting for the happiest moment of the birth, you can also find out what the real Risks associated with laser hair removal. That way, you’ll be fully prepared for the treatments when the time comes, and you’ll achieve the smooth, radiant skin you’ve always dreamed of without any problems.

The material Pregnancy and hair removal – when should we avoid laser hair removal? was first published on Body Aesthetics.