Learn about laser hair removal while breastfeeding, how to prepare for the treatment, and any side effects.
It is safe to getlaserhair removal while breastfeeding. There is no scientific research to suggest that this medical procedure poses risks for breastfeeding moms.
Over the years, laser hair removal has received great interest among most breastfeeding women due to the excess hair growth brought about by hormonal changes.
Laser hair removal procedure provides minimal discomfort andlong-term results. However, it may not give you a permanent hair removal solution.
Again, there are few studies on how the laser treatment absorption agents may affect breast milk which may affect growth and neonatal development.
Your health and the well-being of your baby are vital. For this reason, it’s advisable to wait at least six to eight weeks after birth which is the period when your hormones start adjusting to normal.
There is no known harm with laser hair removal and breastfeeding treatment. Nevertheless, if you have any concerns, you can pump and dispose of the breast milk 24 hours after the laser treatment.
In this article, we help you learn more about the medical procedure.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
What is Laser Hair Removal While Breastfeeding?
Mother and son playtime moments after breastfeeding
Laser hair removal is along-term medical processthat involves the use of a concentrated beam of light, commonly referred to as a laser, to eliminate unwanted hair while breastfeeding.
When the laser is applied during the procedure, it emits a light that is absorbed by the melanin pigment in the hair follicles. This absorption leads to damage to the hair follicle, ultimately impeding future hair growth.
The treatment can be carried out on various parts of the body, including your breasts. The only exception is your eyelids and surrounding area to avoid injuries such as corneal and retinal burns.
Typically, the procedure is administered in multiple sessions that are spaced several (two to six) weeks apart to target hair follicles during the appropriate growth phase. The sessions may vary depending on your location.
The hair removal is not permanent. Most women have hair regrowth after the procedure; this may need some touch-ups once a year.
Can I Do Laser Hair Removal while Breastfeeding?
A mother breastfeeding her baby while tingling her feet
Yes, doing laser hair removal while breastfeeding is perfectly okay.
The first few months feel good as you stare at your adorable little one. Life may have started going back to normal. Unfortunately, you may have started noticing excess hair growth.
No worries!
No doubt many breastfeeding mothers ponder this question, can I get laser hair removal while breastfeeding?
We don’t have any scientific research showing the possible risks of laser hair removal and breastfeeding, nor its effects on breast milk.
The above question goes hand in hand with concerns about laser hair removal on the nipple.
Laser hair removal doesn’t affect nipples. However, the laser should not be pulsed directly on the nipple itself as this may cause serious side effects on the underlying tissues.
During the treatment, a skin cooling device or topical anesthetic creams are used to numb the pain or any discomfort. Unfortunately, some of the numbing agents may interfere with breastfeeding.
One common local anesthetic cream is lidocaine which is safe to use during laser hair removal.
There have been studies onlidocaine excretion in breast milk. The safety margin is good, and the small amounts present may not be absorbed in your baby’s gut.
As mentioned earlier, you may choose to discard the breast milk after pumping for 24 hours to make sure there are no traces of the numbing agent in the breast milk.
In addition, how long after breastfeeding can you get laser hair removal can be determined by your preferences and choices. Some opt to wait for six months from the time they stop breastfeeding to start or resume laser treatments.
Note that your skin and hair color matter.
The laser treatment tends not to be more effective for people with light skin and dark hair. With such contrast, it’s easy to target melanin and the laser energy is easily absorbed in hair follicles.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal While Breastfeeding
A woman checking for laser treatment information on Google
Before you undergo the laser hair removal medical process, you need to prepare your body. It helps you manage any expectations and outcomes of the procedure.
According to the National Library of Medicine, for an effective unwantedlaser hair removaltreatment, one must prepare as below:
- You must use sunscreens (SPT 30 or higher) four to six weeks before the process as the treatment may affect the skin.
If you have to be exposed to direct sunlight such as when sunbathing your little one, wear a hat or cover the area of treatment. This routine should continue even after treatment-it’sa mustto have sunscreen.
- Avoid disturbing the hair follicle, waxing, tweezing, or pulling your unwanted hair for at least three weeks before treatment. It will also prevent potential damage to the skin that could lead to pain and discomfort during the procedure.
- Avoid any irritable skin care product as this lead to burns.The regime should be the same after treatment as they may escalate irritation, redness and worse still may lead to skin discoloration.
It’s best to use no irritating lotion until your skin heals. Still, you may experience some redness a few hours after the procedure which may not be associated with any skin care product.
Other preparation tips may include, trimming or shaving the treatment area a day before the procedure and any other instruction that your doctor may prescribe.
Note that your doctor will require a comprehensive clinical report on any infections or drug intake you may have.
The report helps determine whether the procedure is an option for you.
Laser Hair Removal While Breastfeeding And Side Effects
There will beside effectsafter the medical procedure, the majority being short-lived.
The side effects include mild discomfort and redness. This typically subsides within a few hours.
You may also experience pain and burning.
Moreover, it’s possible to experience some hair regrowth, but the new hair growth should be lighter and less visible than the original hair growth. You will need maintenance treatments every 6 to 12 months to curb to minimize hair regrowth.
The severity of adverse effects may increase due to the intensity of the treatment or individual healing characteristics. Yet, these effects should only persist for a few days.
Again, such intensity may be higher for women with darker skin. They may experience severe side effects such as dyspigmentation and blistering.
The bottom line is to get a doctor or medical personnel who specialize in cosmetic surgery or dermatology to perform the procedure.
Take caution of any non-medical who promises to carry out the procedure at a low cost.
Do You Have Unwanted Hair Growth?
You don’t have to worry about your excess hair growth anymore, laser hair removal while breastfeeding is safe.
If you want to undergo a medical procedure, make sure your hair is assessed. It will help you avoid any risk or non-responsiveness to the treatment. Again, you don’t have to worry about laser hair removal affecting nipples, your baby will still breastfeed as usual.
Go online and connect with the best overall laser hair removal specialties (SEV Laser) and book an appointment to know more.
