Laser hair removal during pregnancy: is it dangerous?

Laser hair removal is one of the most effective methods for removing unwanted hair. But some women are forced to abandon this effective procedure for a while for a number of reasons, one of which is pregnancy.

In anticipation of a child, any stress on the body can have negative consequences. Laser technologies seem dangerous to girls in a position: this is a direct hardware effect on the skin, and preparation for the procedure can be stressful. But is it as dangerous for pregnant women to visit laser hair removal as it might seem at first glance?

How does laser hair removal work?

The principle of operation of a laser for hair removal is based on the selective destruction of cells under the influence of high temperatures. The beam penetrates no deeper than 4 millimeters under the skin and selectively heats the hair. The reason for their destruction is the melanin pigment, which heats up very much under the influence of the laser. The hair breaks down from tip to follicle and stops growing.

Since the temperature effect affects not only the hairs visible to the naked eye, but also their bulbs, one session of the procedure will be enough for a long time. Therefore, laser hair removal is very popular among women. But the procedure also has a number of contraindications, including pregnancy. The reason is that mistakes in using the device result in skin burns. Modern lasers have flexible settings and powerful cooling to protect the skin. Therefore, it is important to contact a specialist who is well versed in the technique and knows how to choose the parameters of the laser. Preference should be given to clinics with a medical license and medical rather than cosmetic lasers for hair removal, since medical lasers meet more stringent requirements.

The listed conditions of the body have one characteristic manifestation: increased sensitivity and vulnerability of the skin. In other words, a laser beam that is harmless to the skin of the average person can cause burns, irritation and pain. And pregnancy also increases sensitivity.

Is laser hair removal dangerous during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, women refuse many hardware procedures, fearing their negative impact on the fetus. Laser hair removal is not capable of harming a child, since the penetration depth of the beam is too small for this. But women in position are advised to refrain from this procedure, for which there are a number of reasons.

During pregnancy, a number of complex processes occur in the body that cause internal and external changes. A pregnant woman is much more vulnerable to stress, so even a procedure that does not bring her discomfort in the normal state can cause negative emotions. Such shocks negatively affect the child, and this is a reason to refrain from laser hair removal. Otherwise, the pregnancy can be complicated.

Another reason to postpone a trip to the salon until better times is hormonal changes. Pregnant women often notice that body hairs have begun to appear in the most unexpected places. Often this is the area of ​​the nipples, hands, upper lip and other areas that were not previously problematic. But do not try to eliminate them as quickly as possible. During pregnancy, the hairs become thicker and stronger, and they cannot be effectively removed with moderate laser exposure.

A more powerful beam will harm the skin of a pregnant woman, because due to fluid retention and increased pigmentation, it becomes more sensitive. Laser hair removal is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding. The sensations when removing hairs can be many times more painful, and the effect of the laser on delicate skin is difficult to predict.

Should the procedure be continued if there are signs of pregnancy?

It is a difficult choice if the first signs of pregnancy appear during the course of laser hair removal: delayed menstruation, morning sickness, breast engorgement, etc. We recommend that you do a pregnancy test to make sure that the cause is indeed pregnancy. Modern tests are quite sensitive and can confirm pregnancy from the first days.delayed menstruation.

As you know, the course of laser hair removal consists of several procedures with an interval of 1.5-2 months. As a rule, these are 6-8 procedures, which takes from 12 to 18 months. Therefore, it is not uncommon for pregnancy to occur during the course.

It is recommended to stop laser hair removal and pay more attention to your health and the health of the unborn child.

When can I resume laser hair removal after pregnancy?

The most favorable time for a course of laser hair removal is when the hormonal background has already recovered and the menstrual cycle has resumed. The resumption of the menstrual cycle indicates the restoration of hormonal levels. By this time, the woman's body becomes less vulnerable: the severity of pigmentation decreases, hair growth decreases, which means the procedure will be effective and safe.