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Pregnancy

Hairiness during pregnancy

10 replies

KeyboardMum · 09/01/2016 00:57

Hello ladies! Is anybody else slowly turning into a woolly mammoth, or is it just me? Also, how safe is bleaching your facial hair during pregnancy? I'm getting mixed advice on it.

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Bellejournee · 09/01/2016 06:14

My chin hairs are ridiculous, but strangely my leg and underarm seemed to have a much slower growth. I haven't used bleach; however I've been using a depilatory cream once a week on my upper lip and just plucking my chin hairs (daily!). Have used the cream in previous pregnancies without any concern or issues.

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princessbea · 09/01/2016 07:19

I used hair removal cream frequently throughout my pregnancy with no ill effects. Didn't use bleach though, does it say anything on the label about avoiding it?

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Gunting · 09/01/2016 10:48

I had this during pregnancy, by the time I got to 30 weeks I had a snail trail.

My son is 10 weeks now and it's all fallen out weirdly. I think it's more common with women carrying boys but not 100%.

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KeyboardMum · 09/01/2016 14:20

Thanks for the responses x

I also get the crazy chin hairs and a bit of a snail trail :( and also opt for tweezers as they help to destroy the root and impede hair growth (bloody painful though!) I've been using Jolen to bleach the darker hairs at the side of my face for years, but I feel a bit dubious about how harmful the fumes it gives off are - even in ventilated areas.

Their website and the info in the packet advises you to speak to your medical professional, but also states that there hasn't been any conclusive evidence that using the product is actually harmful during pregnancy - but of course they want to keep selling it, haha.

My midwife has said that most chemicals aren't good for baby and has left it at that, but I know that a LOT of women still stick to their usual hair-removal routines and have healthy pregnancies. Some women continue to smoke during their pregnancy and still manage to have a healthy baby, so a little bit of bleach every 2-3 weeks for 20 minutes couldn't be that harmful, could it?

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angelpuffs · 09/01/2016 14:48

I used Jolen creme bleach throughout my first and second pregnancies with no ill effects. My midwife said the only thing to be aware of is that your skin might be more sensitive than usual during pregnancy but it's not harmful to the baby X

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FourForYouGlenCoco · 09/01/2016 14:56

I'm only 11 weeks and already noticing my tummy is a bit furry looking I naturally tend towards the yeti side of things though so not really a surprise. Will be doing my usual all-over wax ('stache, above eyebrows, arms, bush) plus belly for as long as I can reach everything! I always shave my legs and underarms so again no change there. I swear by waxing, trying to muster up the courage to rip the wax off is the hard bit, other than that it's brilliant!

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KeyboardMum · 09/01/2016 15:25

Thanks angelpuffs, I think I might make some in a bit, but maybe not leave it on my face for quite so long.

FourForYouGlenCoco I've found that anything which rips the root out is effective. Shaving or burning the hairs off kind of 'trims' it so it grows back in a kind of cylinder/tube shape and looks thicker, instead of the tip reforming and breaking back through the skin - the only problem with pulling hair out by the root is that you can get blemishes (just can't win lol)

I've found that an epilator is really good for doing your legs, arms and bikini line. Not brave enough to use it on my crotch or under my armpits though. It's like a medieval torture device!

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Noodledoodledoo · 09/01/2016 20:43

I have had chin hairs since I was a teenager - they quadruple in pregnancy and seem to be on speed growth stuff as well! I can clear the decks one night and am like a gorrilla the next night!

I always tweeze them (always have) and it doesn't seem to affect the root - I have a rogue one on my chin which is always in the same place!

Oh and in pregnancy number 1 I was just as hairy and had a girl so not convinced by the boy theory!!

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BettyBi0 · 09/01/2016 20:58

I was just as hairy during my pregnancy with DD so I don't follow the boy/girl theory either. OMG I'm quite hairy most of the time but in pregnancy it's beyond a bloomin joke and I'm too knackered/lazy to do anything about it right now too.

I did a full cheek/chin/tache Veet once during my last pregnancy and it was fine - maybe my skin was a bit more sensitive than normal but nothing major

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KeyboardMum · 09/01/2016 21:39

I'm glad it's not just me then - the hair is definitely growing at a faster rate! I feel really really unattractive at the moment, and I'm only 13 weeks in! I've put on nearly 2 stone, keep growing zits in the same spot and now the crazy facial hair on top of it! I think it's my bodys way of saying, 'baby in progress.'

I've had a nice bleach and a bubble bath though, so feeling a bit better ;)