Overview

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to thicker, faster-growing hair. While this may be a welcome change for the hair on your head, it can be less appreciated when new hair appears in unexpected places. This episode reviews the safety of common hair removal methods during pregnancy, including shaving, waxing, laser treatments, and hair removal creams. Find out how increased skin sensitivity can affect your options. Plus, considerations on whether you should shave or wax before giving birth.

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Hi Vanessa,

First off, thank you for the podcast. I’ve been listening since the beginning of my pregnancy and it’s seriously been my go-to for everything. You’ve helped me feel so much more informed, so thank you for that.

I’m 31 weeks, and I feel like my hair is growing in faster and thicker than usual, and not just on my head. I have some questions I am hoping you can help. I have been reading a lot of message boards online and there is so much conflicting advice.

Before I got pregnant, I had started laser hair removal. I was planning to stick with it, but once I found out I was pregnant, they told me I had to stop. I didn’t ask a lot of questions at the time, but now I’m wondering why this isn’t recommended during pregnancy. Is it actually harmful or just one of those better-safe-than-sorry things?

Shaving is getting more difficult. My belly is definitely starting to get in the way, and I feel like I’m going in blind. I’ve thought about trying waxing or even hair removal cream, but I have no idea what’s safe or not right now. A few friends have suggested getting a wax before the baby comes. I’ve never done that before. Honestly, I’m a little nervous, but also kind of considering it. If I don’t get a wax, should I shave before going into labor? I’ve heard mixed things, and I’m not sure if it matters or if it’s just a personal preference kind of thing.

Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thank you again for everything you do. Your podcast really helps me feel like I’m not alone in all of this!

– Taryn

Taryn, thank you for your email and for sharing your questions. I can assure you that there are a lot of expecting moms who can relate. Talking about hair removal, especially your bikini area, can be a little sensitive. Let’s ditch feeling like this is a taboo or embarrassing subject and talk about it. We will cover body hair changes during pregnancy, hair removal safety, and what to consider before going into labor.

Hair Growth During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is common to notice that your hair grows faster and thicker. Having thicker, fuller hair on your head is awesome. Having hair pop up in other places, not so much. Two main hormones affect hair growth.

The first is androgens. These are commonly known as male sex hormones and include testosterone. Females also have these hormones but in lower amounts. Androgens affect muscle mass, bone density, libido, and hair growth. During pregnancy, your body produces more androgens than usual. Androgens stimulate the conversion of fine hair into thicker, darker hairs. An increase in these hormones can cause hair to pop up in places like your belly, face, or back. The good news is that this is temporary and should disappear once your androgen levels return to baseline after birth.

While androgens can lead to new or darker hair growth, estrogen affects how your hair grows and sheds. You have more estrogen during pregnancy than in your entire non-pregnant life. Evidence shows that estrogen increases the growth phase, so less hair enters the resting phase or shedding. The less you shed, the fuller and thicker your hair seems. After your birth, as the estrogen levels drop and return to normal levels. When the growth phase isn’t prolonged, more of your hair than usual enters the resting or shedding phase. This usually happens between 3-6 months postpartum. Postpartum hair loss refers more to shedding the hair you would have customarily shed than losing mass amounts of your hair.

Skin Sensitivity

An increase in hormones during pregnancy also causes skin sensitivity, which presents as redness, swelling, tenderness, or irritation. Skin sensitivity can be caused by many things related to hair removal, including topical products and the methods used to remove hair physically.

If you do not experience additional sensitivity and like the products you use, you may not need to make any changes. If you notice skin sensitivity, you may choose more gentle products like shaving creams, soaps, etc. Skin sensitivity plays a role in all of your options for hair removal and is discussed more throughout this article.

Hair Removal Options

The result of hormonal changes during pregnancy is that hair generally becomes fuller, thicker or darker hair can pop up in unwanted places, and your skin is more sensitive. If you have a few stray hairs pop up, tweezers can be a great solution, assuming it is in an area you can see and easily reach. To remove more than a few hairs over a larger area, you must explore different hair removal methods.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light that targets and damages hair follicles to slow or stop hair growth. Once treatments are complete, the benefit is permanent hair removal, although periodic touch-ups may be required. The downside is that it can be expensive and requires numerous treatments over a long period.

The main reason laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy is due to a lack of research. While there is no clear evidence that it is harmful, most providers take a better-safe-than-sorry approach, and laser hair removal clinics advise against it to limit their liability. In addition to sensitivity, pregnancy also brings a higher risk of pigmentation changes. These changes could make laser treatments more uncomfortable or increase the chance of skin irritation or discoloration. The safer approach is to pause laser hair removal until after your baby is born. If you purchased a package, you should ensure there is not an expiration date for unused treatments. I would contact the laser hair removal provider and let them know you are pregnant and will resume treatment after you have your baby.

In recent years, at-home laser devices have become available. Most home devices use intense pulsed light (IPL), which is typically lower-powered than what professional clinics use. Even with lower-powered devices, skin sensitivity during pregnancy increases the risk of irritation, burns, or pigmentation changes. As a result, and for liability reasons, manufacturers of at-home IPL devices recommend you avoid using them during pregnancy.

Shaving During Pregnancy

The most common way to remove hair is by shaving with a razor. Shaving anything below your belly as your pregnancy progresses can become much more challenging. Your center of gravity is off, making balancing in the shower difficult. As your belly grows, you may not be able to see well, especially when it comes to your bikini area. Taryn, you saying you are going in blind is pretty accurate if you cannot see what you are doing.

A few things can make shaving easier. If you need help seeing what you are doing, a mirror may be helpful. If you have trouble reaching your legs, try sitting in a bathtub or bringing a plastic chair into your shower. You could also use an electric trimmer or shaver. These help trim hair but do not give as close a shave as a traditional razor. Some expecting moms opt to shave less during pregnancy or even enlist the help of their partner. Ultimately, you don’t need to shave your legs or anything else for anyone except yourself.

Waxing and Sugaring

Waxing involves applying a warm wax in the direction of hair growth and using a strip to remove the hair in the opposite direction. The benefit of a wax is that hair removal lasts much longer than shaving. The downside is that waxing can be expensive, and irritation and ingrown hairs can occur. Waxing is safe during pregnancy, although due to increased skin sensitivity, it may be more painful or cause more irritation than usual. It is important to follow aftercare instructions to prevent irritation and ingrown hair. If you’ve never had a wax before, keep in mind that the first one is often the most uncomfortable. With pregnancy-related sensitivity and timing before birth, it might not be the ideal time to try it for the first time, but it really depends on your comfort level.

Another option is sugaring. This is similar to waxing but uses a room-temperature sugar-based paste that tends to be gentler on your skin. It is applied against the direction of hair growth and removed in the direction of hair growth. Sugaring is less painful and better for more sensitive skin.

Hair Removal Creams (Depilatories)

Hair removal creams, or depilatories, break down the hair’s keratin protein structure, allowing it to be wiped away from the skin’s surface. The most common active ingredient in depilatory products is thioglycolic acid, typically in the form of salts like potassium thioglycolate or calcium thioglycolate.

Some studies (like this one) on thioglycolic acid in animals have raised questions about its safety during reproduction and development. The theoretical concern during pregnancy is that these chemicals could be harmful if absorbed in significant amounts. Unfortunately, there are no studies on humans, and we have limited safety information.

Hair removal creams seem like an easy solution during pregnancy because you eliminate the risk of cuts or irritation from shaving or waxing. However, due to the lack of safety data, it’s generally recommended to use depilatories cautiously. Always do a patch test on a small skin area first and wait 24 hours to ensure you do not have an adverse reaction. Any hair removal creams should also be used in a well-ventilated area. They have a strong smell that can be overwhelming or trigger nausea. If, at any point during a patch test or regular use, you experience any burning, itching, or redness, rinse it off immediately and discontinue using it.

Shaving or Waxing Before Labor

It was once common practice for hospitals to shave women before birth. This practice was based on the belief that removing pubic hair reduced the risk of infection and made it easier for doctors to manage the birth and to place stitches if necessary. Thankfully, this was discontinued because there is no medical benefit and an increased risk of infection due to minor cuts or skin irritation.

Today, removing hair before you go into labor is entirely your personal choice. I can assure you that your doctor or midwife does not care. They will see your vagina during labor, and the last thing they are thinking about is whether you have hair there or not. If you prefer to trim or shave, you can continue doing that. If you do nothing, that is perfectly fine, too. I wouldn’t worry about doing anything special or different before going into labor for anyone other than yourself. If it helps you feel more comfortable, go for it. If not, don’t give it a second thought.

Talk to Your Doctor or Midwife

Of all the challenges of being pregnant, it can be especially annoying when it interferes with your usual self-care practice. There is no one-size-fits-all for body hair and not one hair removal solution that works great for everyone. Remember, these challenges are temporary, and shaving your legs or removing hair on any part of your body will be much easier after you have your baby. If you have any questions about the safety of specific hair removal methods or want to know your care provider’s stance on shaving before birth, please discuss it with your doctor or midwife.

Additional Resources

• Guide to Pregnancy Safe Skincare

• Hair Changes and Treatments During and After Pregnancy

Thank you to the amazing companies that have supported this episode.

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