Laser Hair Removal and Pregnancy

Your belly is getting bigger and you can barely see your legs, let alone shave them! If you shave standing in the shower you may need your partner to help you keep your balance. If you sit in the tub to shave, you may need help getting out to prevent slipping.

Because of the changes in hormones during pregnancy, you may find more hair growth around the belly, nipples, or other unwanted places. If you don’t tweeze or shave, the excess hair will usually fall off after pregnancy.

The Safety of Hair Removal While Pregnant

Laser hair removal targets the dark pigment in the hair and causes thermal and/or mechanical damage to the hair follicle. There are no studies that evaluate the safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy. Many health care providers recommend avoiding laser hair removal during pregnancy because of the lack of information about the effect on the fetus.

Here at Sparkle, we do not perform laser hair removal during your pregnancy and breastfeeding period. Although Laser Hair Removal is not a dangerous procedure and the application of pulse lasers has not been shown to affect more than the top layers of skin, our Sparkle technicians do not like to take chances with the well-being of clients. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, we recommend putting your Laser Hair Removal treatments on hold.

Can I get Laser Hair Removal while breastfeeding?

While there is no link connecting Laser Hair Removal to negative effects on pregnant or lactating women, there is likewise no evidence to guarantee it is a safe treatment method during this time.

This vital lack of information regarding the effects of Laser Hair Removal on the foetus should beget caution. Because we cannot guarantee your total safety – nor that of your child – we will not perform Laser Hair Removal while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are troubled by excess hair growth during pregnancy, we recommend more temporary hair removal solutions such as waxing and shaving. Once you have given birth and finished breastfeeding, we are happy to re-commence your Laser Hair Removal sessions where we left off.

In the scheme of things, pregnancy doesn’t last for long. This time – with all its associated bodily changes – should be enjoyed as much as possible while it lasts.

Laser Hair Removal can wait until after pregnancy. We recommend waiting until after you finish breastfeeding to worry about excess hair, as we cannot guarantee Laser Hair Removal will be an entirely safe removal method.

However, it is your body – if you would like to rid yourself of excess hair during this time, more temporary hair removal methods such as shaving, and waxing are both viable options.