There are some potential risks associated with laser hair removal treatments that should be taken into consideration. Skin irritation is a common side effect, which may be more pronounced in people who are breastfeeding. Additionally, there is a small risk of burns or scarring. It is important to note that stopping the hair removal process will not reduce the effect of the treatment, as hair follicles that have died as a result of laser treatment will never grow back their hair.
Hormonal changes related to pregnancy and breastfeeding tend to increase hair growth, but waiting until after the baby is born to start or continue treatments will not affect the results. Laser hair removal while breastfeeding is generally safe, but it is not recommended to treat the areola or breast tissue. We always recommend waiting a few months after giving birth before undergoing laser hair removal treatments. During this time, hormone levels will return to normal levels and it is important to allow the body to rest.
Some women choose to breastfeed for an extended period, so in this case, we recommend avoiding treating the breast area or areola during treatment. Other areas of the body could be treated approximately. In the scheme of things, pregnancy does not last long and this time should be enjoyed as much as possible. Laser hair removal can wait until after pregnancy and we recommend waiting until you finish breastfeeding before worrying about excess hair. However, if you want to remove excess hair during this period, we recommend using temporary hair removal methods such as shaving and waxing. Most would consider a nursing parent who undergoes a laser hair removal procedure to be a low risk to the baby.
It is important to check the color and density of your hair before you start laser treatments to make sure they are suitable. However, since there are no long-term studies and because of the delicate nature of pregnancy, most professionals have recommended delaying laser hair removal until after the baby is born. There's also no evidence that laser hair removal treatments affect milk production, meaning they shouldn't cause a person to produce less milk than normal. During treatment, intense pulsed light is focused on the follicle to cause damage that prevents future hair growth. Hair growth patterns change during pregnancy, so it's important to know that any new hair growth patterns will be temporary. This vital lack of information on the effects of laser hair removal on the fetus should be a cause for caution.
A reputable laser center will allow its customers to continue where they left off after the baby is born or when breastfeeding ends. In conclusion, laser hair removal while breastfeeding is generally safe but it is not recommended to treat the areola or breast tissue. If you want to remove excess hair during this period, we recommend using temporary hair removal methods such as shaving and waxing.
