Can you use Nair while pregnant? Active hormones in pregnancy can cause an increase in unwanted hair growth. Shaving or plucking them can give you breakouts. Skin is also extra sensitive to many products during pregnancy. You may ask dermatologists before using prenatal hair removal products such as Nair during pregnancy. They may help you to choose suitable products for your skin type.
Before visiting the doctor, you may read on to know if it is safe to use depilatory creams such as Nair during pregnancy and how often you could use hair removal products.
In This Article
- A Closer Look - Is Nair Safe During Pregnancy?
- Benefits Of Nair During Pregnancy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Infographic: Using Depilatory Cream Nair During Pregnancy
- Key Pointers
- Community Experiences
A Closer Look – Is Nair Safe During Pregnancy?
Nair is a hair removing topical agent applied to the skin to get rid of unwanted hair. Nair claims that their product is safe during pregnancy when all the instructions are followed. Further, no scientific evidence states that hair removal during pregnancy could harm maternal health or fetal development (2). But knowing certain things about the products will help you avoid any adverse effects.
- The mild chemicals that mix with the bloodstream of the would-be mother do not affect the unborn in any way.
- However, some consider it best to avoid any sorts of chemicals during pregnancy and rather find it convenient to use an epilator or an electric shaver.
Image: Shutterstock - Also, women with sensitive skin or allergies often find it difficult to use Nair in the course of pregnancy.
Quick fact
Hair removal creams contain chemicals. However, they may not cause significant issues when lower concentrations are applied to the skin for shorter durations (6).
Doctor’s Advice:
Consultationsproper prenatal care
- Health care professionals generally recommend avoiding any sorts of chemicals in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is the phase when your baby is highly susceptible to health risks (3).
An anonymous mother of three shares on her blog the products she refrained from using during her pregnancy based on her doctor’s recommendations, “My doctor advised me to avoid permanent and semi-permanent hair removal procedures like laser treatments and electrolysis since there is no evidence proving that these are safe during pregnancy. I wasn’t too worried because I don’t use either of those methods for hair removal. She also mentioned that just to be cautious, I should avoid or limit the use of hair removal creams like Nair (ⅰ).”
- If you are extra cautious, you may avoid using such products until you reach the second or the third trimester. This is the time when the risk factors have reduced significantly.
- Nair has been recommended by experts such as Christina Chambers for the shortest possible time, as this ensures the chemicals get very little time to be absorbed by the blood stream.
Important Considerations:
Womensmells
- Smell of beauty products such as Nair may appear strong and result in headaches and nausea.
- Your breasts become very sensitive during pregnancy. The area around the breasts gets highly sensitive. In case of any discomfort or allergies, you must discontinue its use and inform your doctor (4).
- If you opt for professional services in a spa or salon, you must check with the services and ensure they are trained to work with the expecting mothers.
Image: Shutterstock - If you choose to avoid chemicals, shaving, tweezing and waxing are some good options.
- Hair removal methods such as laser hair removal or electrolysis are best avoided during pregnancy.
Point to consider
Do patch tests each time before using Nair. It is because the body’s chemistry can change, and you might have a reaction even if you didn’t have it before (7).
Benefits Of Nair During Pregnancy
Many find beauty products such as Nair convenient and an easy and cheap process of removing hair. Hair removal products seem much easier and hassle-free than shaving, waxing, and epilation processes during pregnancy. Women using Nair find hair growth less frequent which frees them from shaving frequently. Shaving when pregnant may also seem difficult after some months. However, Nair is easier to use.
Alert!
Even though Nair has been considered by most of the manufacturers and experts as safe during pregnancy, there has not been extensive research on the subject.
- Read the instructions well and stop using the product immediately in case of skin irritations or rashes.
- You must make it a point to check with your healthcare provider. In case you are unsure about its use, it is better to avoid it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Nair cause complications during delivery?
There is no evidence to suggest that Nair causes complications during delivery. However, it is recommended to avoid using hair removal products, including Nair, in the genital area in the last few weeks of pregnancy to reduce exposure to chemicals.
2. Can Nair be used during high-risk pregnancies?
It is recommended to avoid using Nair during high-risk pregnancies, such as those with complications or underlying medical conditions. It is best to consult a healthcare provider before using any other hair removal products during pregnancy.
3. Can Nair be used if I have a history of miscarriage?
There is no evidence to suggest that Nair increases the risk of miscarriage. However, it is recommended to avoid using Nair or any other hair removal products in the first trimester of pregnancy when the risk of miscarriage is highest.
4. Can I use Nair in your pubic area while pregnant?
According to NCT, pregnant women can use hair removal creams to remove hair (5). So far, no studies show that using Nair in the pubic area causes issues in pregnant women. Still, you can speak to your doctor and clear your doubts about removing hair in the pubic area (or bikini line).
5. What can I use instead of Nair for hair removal?
Electric trimmers, waxes, and epilators are a few safe ways you can remove hair during pregnancy. You can discuss the pros and cons of these hair removal methods with your doctor and pick a convenient and most suitable method for yourself.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Community Experiences
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