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A few weeks after giving birth, mothers will have time to take care of themselves. Some choose to go to the gym several times, while others prefer an occasional massage. In addition, some women may seek to have their hair removed.
With that in mind, many nursing mothers may wonder, “Can I get laser hair removal while breastfeeding?” The answer is Yes.
This therapy allows you to reduce hair and its growth in your face, underarms, and bikini zone areas. So, let’s find the detailed answer to that question via this article!
Is It Safe to Do Laser Hair Removal While Breastfeeding?
You can safely get laser hair removal while nursing. However, you need to wait a while before continuing with the next courses.
The fact is that there aren’t any studies on how removing hair using a laser affects you while breastfeeding.
Up to now, we can say that this method does not affect any part of you during breastfeeding. It doesn’t reduce milk production, doesn’t damage the mammary glands, and doesn’t reduce milk quality.
Why Is It Safe?
Here are two pieces of evidence that laser hair removal is safe while breastfeeding:
1. This hair removal process doesn’t affect any of the hormones involved in breastfeeding. It does not damage oxytocin or prolactin. Prolactin plays a vital role in milk production, while oxytocin helps pump milk out.
2. The laser utilized for hair removal does not go through your mammary glands.
You also don’t need to worry about laser treatment for your chest and armpits, as it will have almost no effect on you. The reason is that it can only penetrate the skin 2 to 3 mm.
However, most spas refuse to perform the procedure on pregnant or breastfeeding women for safety reasons. Some areas still do it but will require a doctor’s note.
Generally, this method has almost no side effects in women, even while breastfeeding. Yet, you may experience some discomfort and some symptoms at times as it can cause irritation, mild pain, or itching.
Don’t worry! It should not be a severe problem if no medication is utilized to handle these symptoms. In addition, you need to avoid using anesthetics creams because they can penetrate your breast milk.
If you encounter side effects after undergoing this procedure, it is essential to consult your doctor for advice. In most cases, you will experience discomfort for a day or two, and then it will go away.
The good news is that symptoms usually don’t last long. Therefore, you do not need to be too worried if you want to try hair removal with this method.
However, an experienced and reliable technician must perform this procedure. That way, you can avoid any risk of burns or other side effects.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
This process is based on a method called “Selective Photothermolysis.” It indicates technician will use the laser light to heat up and destroy the hair follicles on your skin selectively.
Your hair follicles and skin can certainly absorb the light spectrum. Yet, it may make you uncomfortable because it can cause side effects, such as sunburn.
The good news is that it does not pose a risk to the baby. But, some spas will require a doctor’s note before performing this procedure.
Can Pregnant Women Get Laser Hair Removal?
Our advice is to wait until you’re postpartum. There is currently no reliable data to show that laser hair removal is safe during pregnancy.
The main reason is probably ethical because scientists do not want to expose pregnant women to potentially harmful processes and products.
In the future, perhaps there will be studies on the safety of this laser treatment. For now, however, dermatologists and doctors recommend that women avoid it during pregnancy.
On the other hand, pregnancy can disrupt your hair growth cycle. Therefore, it may take up to six treatments to give you effective hair removal.
The best thing is that these methods will be conducted during the active growth phase of the cycle. Your pregnancy hormones can change the duration of some phases, possibly causing the process to go wrong.
Finally, it is about skin sensitivity. During pregnancy, blood is supplied throughout your body, and it also stretches the skin of your chest and abdomen. As a result, applying therapy at this stage can make you uncomfortable.
Postponing this treatment that is already in progress would not negatively impact the result. Many centers will allow you to pick up where you left off after your baby’s birth or when breastfeeding is finished.
In general, it is best to apply this treatment after you give birth or use the alternative methods we will cover below.
Safer Alternatives
Apart from applying laser, you have many other alternatives for hair removal. Here are the most popular choices:
1. Waxing
Waxing is feasible while pregnant or breastfeeding. However, during this time, your skin will be sensitive. So, waxing can cause your skin to bruise.
2. Electrolysis
No formal studies have been conducted to clarify the effects of electrolysis during pregnancy or lactation. However, electrolysis during these stages is not recommended.
Two kinds of current are utilized in electrolysis, including galvanic and thermolysis.
- Galvanic sends a minute electrical current through the client and then turns back to the device.
- Thermolysis may also be referred to as radio wave, diathermy, high frequency, or short wave.
3. Creams & Depilatories
These creams include ingredients that can destroy your hair. Yet, no research or evidence shows that taking them during pregnancy is safe.
Many believe that these products can irritate mothers’ skin, which is already sensitive.
4. Shaving
It may be the best choice when pregnant or breastfeeding because it doesn’t include electrical currents, harsh chemicals, or lasers.
In A Nutshell
To sum up, no studies show the risks of laser hair removal while breastfeeding and pregnancy. Yet, this treatment should be performed by an experienced and reliable technician. You need to call your doctor right away if you notice any side effects.
Last but not least, please share with other breastfeeding mothers!
