Pregnancy can change your body in many ways, including increasing hair growth in unwanted areas. Pregnancy hormones can result in thicker and darker hair on your face, legs, underarms, bikini line, and beyond.
Though this hormonal growth surge is temporary, many pregnant people wonder if laser hair removal is an option. Can you get laser hair removal while pregnant? Learn more about getting laser hair removal while pregnant and whether you should hold off until the baby comes.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a long-term hair-removal solution that sends pulses of laser light to damage or destroy hair follicles, resulting in slowed or no future growth. Most guests require six to eight sessions for the best results, with larger areas like full legs or back requiring more time per session. Areas like the face, underarms, or bikini line, which are more prone to hormonal hair growth, may require more sessions overall.
Successful laser hair removal treatments can prevent or slow unwanted hair growth for months or even years, especially if guests have maintenance sessions after their initial treatment. Though laser hair removal comes with a higher up-front cost and time commitment than other forms of hair removal, people love the long-term results. Just imagine not shaving for all that time!
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe During Pregnancy?
While laser hair removal is considered a very safe procedure, most doctors advise waiting until after pregnancy since this treatment hasn’t been tested on pregnant people. Like many providers of laser hair removal, European Wax Center does not perform laser hair removal on pregnant individuals out of an abundance of caution.
There may be a higher risk for side effects like sensitive skin or blistering due to pregnancy hormones. It may also be challenging for pregnant guests to comfortably sit through longer laser hair removal sessions, especially if the targeted area requires them to put their bodies in specific positions (such as lying on their bellies for back hair removal). Since the treatment hasn’t been tested on pregnant people, it’s difficult to say exactly how laser hair removal could affect each individual.
Are Other Forms of Hair Removal Safe While Pregnant?
If that extra body hair is bothering you, don’t despair! Waxing is our #1 recommendation for hair removal during pregnancy. It’s less time-consuming than shaving since it only needs to be done once a month, and it’s an effective way to temporarily remove unwanted hair brought on by an increase in hormones.
It also takes one more thing off your plate, leaving all those hard-to-reach places to the experts. We know you have enough on your mind during pregnancy—let us give you beautiful, smooth skin so you can enjoy that clean, just-waxed feeling.
Can You Get Laser Hair Removal While Breastfeeding?
Laser hair removal while breastfeeding is generally considered safe. Since everyone is different, we recommend checking with your doctor first and we will happily treat you with a doctor’s note.
One thing to consider, though, is that hormones continue to fluctuate after pregnancy. It is possible that laser hair removal won’t be as effective during this time due to a surge in breastfeeding hormones, and hair could return sooner than normal. Hormones generally start to level out around four to six months postpartum, so it may be best to schedule your laser hair removal sessions after this time period.
If you decide to get laser hair removal while breastfeeding, avoid targeting places on your breasts or areolas. Side effects from laser treatments are always possible, and breastfeeding with sensitive or burned skin may result in painful nursing sessions or early weaning.
Learn More About Laser Hair Removal
When you’re ready to begin laser hair treatment after pregnancy, European Wax Center is here. Book a free, no-commitment consultation at a local center today. Our experts can answer any questions and address your concerns about laser hair treatment, including how long laser hair removal lasts, whether your hair and skin type will respond to treatment, and how to prepare for your first laser hair removal session.
While you wait for your lasering treatment, check out our complete list of wax services to help you through those last few months. Nothing shows off a pregnancy glow like beautifully smooth skin!
