Can you get laser hair removal while pregnant? It’s understandable you’d be interested in a treatment that can safely and effectively remove unwanted hair from virtually any part of the body—especially if you’re experiencing excess hair growth right now. 

However, there are a lot of treatments that might not be safe for you or your unborn child if you are pregnant, including laser hair removal. In general, it’s recommended that pregnant women avoid laser hair removal.

As an expectant mother, it’s important to understand all aspects of how laser hair removal might impact your pregnancy before making a decision. In this post, we’ll answer your most pressing concerns like “Can I get laser hair removal while pregnant?”, “What are the risks of laser hair removal?”, and “How long should I wait until I get laser hair removal after giving birth?”.

Is It Safe to Get Laser Hair Removal While Pregnant?

So, is it safe to get laser hair removal while pregnant? When taking a look at laser hair removal technology, it is important to understand that the research regarding this topic is a bit unclear.

First, it is important to understand how laser hair removal works. This is a procedure that uses a laser to target hair follicles and destroy them to prevent future hair growth. 

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of studies that have evaluated the specific safety issues surrounding laser hair removal during pregnancy. Even though it is not necessarily unsafe, there is no research showing that it is safe, either.

Therefore, because there is a lack of information available regarding the possible impact of laser hair removal on your unborn child, it is generally advised by authorities, like the American Pregnancy Association, to avoid laser hair removal while pregnant.

So, Can You Get Laser Hair Removal While Pregnant?

Can I get laser hair removal while pregnant? In general, you should try to stay away from laser hair removal while pregnant. Most professionals who offer laser hair removal are going to ask you whether you are pregnant before the treatment session begins. In most cases, if you are pregnant, professionals will not schedule you for laser hair removal. That is because there are unknown complications and side effects that could be related to laser hair removal during pregnancy. 

You can also talk to your medical doctor to learn more about what’s safe and not safe for you during your pregnancy.

Why Can’t You Get Laser Hair Removal While Pregnant?

So, why can’t you get laser hair removal while pregnant? The main reason why you should try to avoid laser hair removal while pregnant is that there are a lot of unknowns regarding how laser hair removal may impact your unborn child. Because this is still an active area of medical research, a lot of doctors do not know how laser hair removal is going to impact the outcome of your pregnancy.

There are several risks medical professionals worry about when it comes to patients undergoing laser hair removal while pregnant. They include:

• Increased risk of developing skin burns because of hormonal changes during pregnancy.
• Slower healing during pregnancy which could result in worse injuries lasting longer.
• Increased likelihood of developing hyper-pigmentation from burns while pregnant. This includes developing melasma—gray and brown patches of skin on your face—due to hormonal changes.
• Unknown risks of how laser technology and ongoing treatments may affect the baby.

Of course, everyone responds to treatment sessions differently. There is a chance that you wouldn’t develop the complications and side effects listed above, but it is generally better to be on the safe side. Therefore, you should plan to avoid laser hair removal during pregnancy.

What to Do If You Become Pregnant Between Sessions

If you become pregnant between sessions, you need to let your provider know. A lot of people do not know they are pregnant until approximately six to eight weeks into pregnancy, so there is a chance you may undergo laser hair removal during that time. That’s not a reason to panic. However, as soon as it’s confirmed, you’ll want to pause your treatments as a precaution.

Then, you can work with your treatment provider to prepare for laser hair removal after giving birth. Whether you’re planning full body hair removal or treatment in a specific area, your treatment plan should be adjustable to accommodate your needs.

Should You Wait to Start Laser Hair Removal Until After Having a Baby?

If you plan on having a baby in the near future, you do not necessarily have to wait to start laser hair removal until after you have a baby. It is fine for you to work with your treatment provider, target specific hair removal areas, and get the process started now.

Once you become pregnant, you can simply pause your treatments. Then, after you have had a baby, you can talk with your treatment provider about when it might be safe for you to resume the treatment process.

When Can You Resume Laser Hair Removal After Pregnancy?

Even though you may want to restart right away, you need to wait until your hormone levels return to normal. Different types of hormones return to normal at different rates, which is why it is important for you to attend all of your follow-up visits with your OB-GYN and primary care doctor after your baby is born.

Once your hormone levels have come back to normal, you can start laser hair removal treatment once again. In general, your hormone levels will return to normal after approximately three months. It’s always important to heed your doctor’s and laser hair removal provider’s recommendations when it comes to laser treatment safety. If they recommend waiting longer, it is likely to your benefit to adhere to their professional advice.

Can You Get Laser Hair Removal While Breastfeeding?

You might also be wondering if you can get laser hair removal while breastfeeding. You are allowed to get laser hair removal while breastfeeding, but in general, it’s recommended to avoid treating the chest area. Certain areas around your nipples could be particularly sensitive, which may result in unnecessary pain and discomfort.

If you want to get laser hair removal on your chest, you should generally wait until you are done breastfeeding.

What to Do About Unwanted Hair During Pregnancy

Even though laser hair removal is generally not recommended, there are other options for removing unwanted hair while pregnant.

• You may want to consider shaving certain parts of your body. Even though this is not going to be permanent, it could be one of the easiest ways to address unwanted hair.
• For facial hair, you may want to try plucking. Plucking can also be effective for removing stray hairs.
• A more efficient option could be waxing, whether that’s at home or professional waxing.

There might be certain parts of your body that you are unable to reach. This could become harder, particularly as your pregnancy progresses. If you need help removing hair from certain parts of your body, you may want to ask your partner for help.

In general, it is better to be proactive about laser hair removal. If you know you are going to try to become pregnant in the near future, you may want to get laser hair removal now. That way, you don’t have to worry about any risks or pausing treatments once you’ve started.

Get Personalized Advice Regarding Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment

So, can you have laser hair removal while pregnant? It is important for you to get personalized advice regarding laser hair removal. Laser hair removal is considered permanent, but you must make sure that you go through the process safely. That means following professional recommendations and potentially putting your treatments on hold until after delivery.

Planning on treating yourself to laser hair removal after you give birth? It would be our pleasure to help you plan your treatment. At LivSmooth, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest level of care and personalizing all treatments. Schedule a consultation today to find out if laser hair removal is right for you and to get the process started.