Laser hair removal and pregnancy - a topic that may sound odd at first, but is one that is extremely popular and incredibly important to understand.

Pregnancy is a significant life event, one that brings happiness and joy, but also one that requires a great deal of care and attention. That is why so many women during this time wonder if it is safe to undergo laser hair removal to ensure they can receive the benefits of laser while maintaining a healthy and safe pregnancy.

To fully understand if laser hair removal is safe during pregnancy, let's first talk about the regulations surrounding laser hair removal and pregnancy.

According to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), laser hair removal is approved as a safe and effective method for hair removal, unfortunately, there are no specific regulations against performing it on pregnant women. The FDA does however, recommend that pregnant women avoid unnecessary exposure to laser or other sources of radiation, which may include certain laser treatments.

Now, let's talk about the different stages of pregnancy and how they may affect your laser hair removal decision.

During the first trimester, it's generally recommended that women avoid any unnecessary medical procedures, including laser hair removal. This is because the first trimester is a critical period of fetal development, and any exposure to lasers may potentially harm the developing fetus. We too agree and usually do not take or recommend any clients during this time.

When it comes to the second and third trimesters, increased blood flow and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy play huge roles in the laser hair removal process. This is simply due to the fact that your skin becomes more sensitive and hormones begin to interfere with your normal cycles of growth, running you into the risk of burns and ineffective results. During this time we recommend clients to stay away from laser hair removal as well, mostly due to the effects of hormones we have seen that interfere with results.

So, what's the bottom line?

Laser hair removal and pregnancy may seem like an unlikely pair, but it's actually an important decision to understand. If you're pregnant and considering laser hair removal, the only step before anything is to talk to your primary care doctor and gynecologist (OB-GYN). From there, evaluate and do the necessary testing to decide if your doctors will approve the laser treatment for you. If approved, you will need a written consent from them to bring to your reputable laser provider.

In our opinion, as mentioned before, pregnancy is a time of care and attention, and as much as laser hair removal can provide amazing benefits, it is best to keep your new family member away from anything unnatural. We simply want the best environment for your future children as they undergo development, and by simply waiting a few months after being with your newborn you can ensure that having the thought of any complications, will be far away from you.

*Aesthetic Allure does not provide any medical advice, treatment or diagnosis.