Laser hair removal when pregnant? Any medical professionals know the defiinitive answer...?

[DastardlyandSmuttily]

Morning, hairy lady here!
I've just started a course of laser treatments on my upper lip and underarms for hair removal, and since my last treatment I've got a BFP so am now 6 weeks pregnant. I've pre-paid for 5 more sessions of laser treatment, and the salon advised me to have one a month.

Anyone know if it is safe during pregnancy? The salon seemed to think it would be, Google and one of my pregnancy books says not (but not why not..) but would be interested to hear any medics' opinions here? Rather fancy having the bikini line done next, but I'll definitely wait till post baby for that!

My salon said it wasn't safe. Well, they basically said no-one knows therefore it must be assumed it isn't safe. I was in the same position as you and they just let me take it back up after I'd stopped BF. So all in all, I had a break of about 18mths because when pg, my hair hardly grew and became very fair. They should just let you defer. Tell them you've spoken to your Dr and he/she said it's not recommended.

My salon also said it wasn't safe. They also said they weren't insured to treat me. My hair growth changed during pregnancy and I just continued after my baby was born. I personally don't think its worth the risk.

Hi! Another hairy lady here. I was getting IPL treatment on the NHS for my lovely goatee and moustache combo and they would not treat me when I was pregnant.

The reason they gave me was that the skin tone can change during pregnancy and they could not be sure that the laser treatment would not cause permanent pigmentation damage. Don't think it's anything about danger to the baby.

I was also thinking of getting this on my legs before I got pg, now definitley won't until after baby. Not worth the risk... Something to look forward to as a treat after baby if I can still afford it! :)

Don't do it! I do not think anyone will tell you "definitively" as there was no proper research done on the subject.

I do not think anyone will tell you "definitively" IF IT IS SAFE as there was no proper research done on the subject.

You may be aware that the laser targets colour - for this reason, fair hair isn't really affected by the treatment, and dark skinned ladies either can't be treated or it's modified (and so not as effective). The ideal combo for the best results is light skin with dark hair.

The reason you will not be treated during pregnancy is most women experience an increase in the production of melanin due to hormone changes. Melanin is responsible for our 'tanning' and as such although in theory you would tan easier, in general pregnant skin is also more sensitive/irritable (again, thanks hormones). THe extra melanin in your system might present itself as lovely brown patches on your face (that's even without laser treatment).

So, your chances of being burnt by the laser increases as your skin becomes naturally darker (not that you'd necessarily see the difference with your naked eye) with your skin absorbing the energy of the laser. And because it's liely to be more sensitive than usual, you could react badky to the laser whereas before you did not. The effects/risks would probably increase over the course of the pregnancy.

In this sense, it's not that the treatment is dangerous to the pregnancy, or health of the baby. It's a danger to your skin. Any reputable therapist would not perfrom the treatment on you although in theory I guess it would be possible to modify the treatment in the way that would be done so for darker skinned people (still risking a sensitivity reaction though).

As someone quite hirsute myself I understand your woes but would wait.

I had it during 2 pregnancies and have 2 strapping boys to show for it. My consultant (at hospital not salon) said it was fine.

Not recommended

Hi this is a message to both dartfordmummy and myredcardigan, I was just wondering if it worked for u two, doing a few sessions before and some after? did all the hair go in the end? because i was told not to stop if u started otherwise u go back to zero! thank you!!

Hi there I hope you don't mind me emailing its regarding an old thread regarding laser hair removal. I'm 6 weeks pregnant and really want it done as I look like a man!! How far gone were you when you had yours? There's so much conflicting information out there I guess sometimes we just need to use common sense! :)