Most women know that laser hair removal is off-limits during pregnancy. This treatment’s safety hasn’t been established for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so responsible providers won’t treat pregnant people. But what about getting laser hair removal postpartum? That’s exactly what we’ll cover in this post.
You’ll understand how pregnancy can change your skin and hair, and how that can tie into laser hair removal treatments. We’ll also give tips for timing, especially in relation to breastfeeding, and how you can choose a provider that’ll cater to your needs as a new parent.
Postpartum Hormonal Changes and Hair Growth
When you’re pregnant, the levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone increase significantly, leading to increase in hair growth. After giving birth, those levels drop in a period of hormonal instability until your body finds a new equilibrium.
Each person’s body will react differently to these intense hormonal fluctuations, so postpartum hair changes can differ from person to person.
The most common change women observe after childbirth is an increase in hair shedding. This can be pretty concerning, although it’s simply the shedding of hairs that grew for an extra long time during pregnancy. There can also be changes to the texture or color of your hair.
When it comes to face and body hair, some women experience an increase in growth during pregnancy, often in unexpected places like the face, abdomen, lower back, or chest. This growth usually decreases on its own in the months after giving birth, but not for everyone. Some women find that unwanted hair remains after they’ve given birth, which may lead them to consider laser hair removal.
Speak to your doctor if you experience significant body or facial hair increase after pregnancy, as it can be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe After Childbirth?
Assuming you’re not breastfeeding, laser hair removal is perfectly safe after childbirth. There are no pregnancy-specific risks to worry about.
That said, you should be aware of the way pregnancy and delivery impacted your skin and overall health, and how laser hair removal could tie into that. For example, elevated stress or lack of sleep (both of which are common for new parents) could make you more sensitive to pain from the treatment.
If you developed melasma or other skin conditions during pregnancy, it may not be safe to treat those specific areas. These are highly individual factors, though, and your doctor or laser hair removal provider will be able to advise you on what will be best for you. If you’re not sure, you’re always welcome to contact us at SEV, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions!
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal for New Parents
Laser hair removal’s benefits are plentiful – it can save you time, money, and a whole lot of effort. There are some of the specific benefits that will apply to new parents.
Regain Your Sense of Self
New mothers often experience low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with their bodies, especially in the months after childbirth. While laser hair removal alone won’t solve this complex struggle, it is one meaningful step you can take towards regaining ownership of your body and feeling more happy with how you look and feel.
Time-Saving
Caring for a newborn is one of the most time-consuming and challenging things you can do in your life. Even finding the time to shower can be difficult, let alone finding time to shave or wax. The greatest benefit of laser hair removal for new parents is the time-saving aspect. Laser targets unwanted hair from the root, for lasting hair reduction. As a bonus, while laser treatments are an investment at the outset, the long-lasting effects will save you money on other hair removal methods in the long run.
Self-Care
Doing small things that are just for you is extremely important after having a baby. Visiting your favorite hair removal studio can be an affirming moment of self-care, as you get to enjoy an appointment that’s all about you and your needs. For this to work, make sure to select a med spa like SEV that prioritizes a warm and friendly approach.
Breastfeeding and Laser Hair Removal
Most laser hair removal providers will not treat parents who are still breastfeeding, due to the lack of established safety studies. Laser treatments don’t involve any chemicals that could enter the bloodstream, and researchers haven’t expressed any specific concerns. Even so, it’s an elective cosmetic treatment, so there’s no reason to take any risks.
What’s more, breastfeeding could potentially interfere with the laser hair removal process itself. While you’re breastfeeding, the body produces higher levels of prolactin and oxytocin, so there may be indirect changes to other hormones related to hair growth.
Timing for Laser Hair Removal Post-Pregnancy
While there’s no official timeline, we generally recommend that new parents allow at least 3 to 6 months to pass before getting laser hair removal. This will give your hormones time to stabilize, and help you achieve more predictable, long-lasting hair removal results.
A good sign that you’re ready to start laser treatments is when your menstruation returns (although you may not want to come in for laser hair removal while on your period).
This is largely for the sake of your results, though. Some doctors suggest it’s safe to get laser hair removal 3 weeks after a natural birth, or 6-8 weeks after a cesarean section. At SEV, you can technically start your treatments the moment you finish breastfeeding.
Laser Hair Removal for Postpartum Skin
From hyperpigmentation to breakouts, pregnancy wreaks havoc on some people’s skin. After pregnancy, some women find that their skin is still more reactive or sensitive. If that’s the case for you, you’ll want to inform your provider when getting postpartum laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is usually less traumatic to the skin compared to constant waxing or shaving. That said, you’ll need to choose a med spa with trained providers who can calibrate the settings to your skin’s needs, with gentler treatment settings.
If you developed hyperpigmentation during your pregnancy, your provider might have to avoid the affected area. Scarring, such as C-section scars, may also make it impossible to treat a specific area.
Choosing a Professional and Safe Clinic
It’s always important to choose a laser hair removal clinic where you can feel comfortable, but it’s especially true if you’ve recently recovered from childbirth.
Laser hair removal is an intimate and sometimes uncomfortable process, so you want to choose a reputable provider who’ll answer your questions, take your needs into account, and put you at ease.
Look for med spas that offer customizable treatments, ideally using machines with both Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers to effectively serve clients regardless of skin tone.
By taking your time to research your providers and read reviews, you’ll know what’s in store for you.
At SEV, we work hard to rise to these standards. We pride ourselves on delivering meticulous, caring service, thanks to our incredible team of compassionate nurses and laser technicians. What’s more, we’ve made it a point to improve laser hair removal accessibility throughout the country with fair, transparent prices.
If you’d like to start your journey to smooth, hair free skin, we invite you to book an appointment at your nearest SEV.
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