Laser Hair Removal During at the time of Pregnancy

Laser Hair Removal During Pregnancy


Women who are pregnant may find that not only are they growing hair more abundantly than before, but that hair is growing in new areas – and it is getting hard to shave. Laser hair removal may seem like the perfect solution, but talk it over with your healthcare provider first. While the laser used during the hair removal procedure does not penetrate the skin very deeply, no studies have been performed to determine it is safe to use while pregnant, and many obstetricians advise against it, just to be safe. Other healthcare providers deem its use safe during pregnancy.

Hair growth during pregnancy
An increase in the amount of various hormones is the cause of hair growth changes during pregnancy. Many women who are pregnant experience thicker and faster growth of body hair. Pregnant women also may find hair growing where it did not before, especially on the face. Extra hair may also grow on the breasts, back, stomach and arms.

The Normal Hair Cycle
When you are not pregnant, your hair has a regular cycle. Each hair will:

Spend anywhere from two to six years growing about 1/2 inch a month
Then it will rest for 2-3 months, before falling out when you brush or wash your hair
At any given time, 90% of your hair is in the growing phase, 10% resting.
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Hair Changes during Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant have hairs that stay in the resting phase longer. The portion of your hairs that are resting may reach 60%. This results in a thicker head of hair, because less of it falls out each day. Pregnancy hormones may cause you to develop hair in places that you never had hair before- on your breasts, stomach and back, even if it is just a hair or two. You may find that the hair on other areas of your body seems thicker, such as the hair on your arms, legs and upper lip. This pattern of hair growth is normal, and should go back to normal within 6 months of your delivery.

Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal uses an intense, pulsating beam of light to remove unwanted hair. The procedure does not guarantee permanent hair removal, but it can extend the time that the treated area is hair free, for a time the ranges from several months to several years. If laser hair removal treatments are repeated, the time that the treated area remains hair free can be almost permanent.