Waxing during pregnancy?

Hair removal can be a serious concern for some pregnant women. Pregnancy hormones can increase hair thickness, speed of growth, and darken hair so it appears thicker. While most of these effects will fade after giving birth, some are long-lasting and may require some form of hair removal. Waxing is considered safe during pregnancy for most expecting mothers. However, swelling, increased sensitivity, and skin irritation can make waxing more harmful than beneficial in some cases.

Waxing can increase skin irritation caused by fluid retention and lead to acne, breakouts, and ingrown hairs. Waxing does not permanently remove hair and can cause infection and swelling as the hair, that was pulled out from the root, begins to grow back.

Using an at-home waxing kit

Home waxing kits tend to be safe. If a salon uses the same wax for different patients (something that's against all recommendations) waxing within unsanitary conditions, mixed with increased sensitivity, could mean an increased risk of infection. That's why when you go to a salon you should make sure that the salon doesn't reuse the wax.

That said, home kits, while sanitary, also hold some risk. Many home kits require melting wax in the microwave or on the stove. If the wax is too hot, scalding and burns can occur which can later lead to infection.

Tips for waxing during pregnancy

Waxing can often be associated with pain. If you are planning to continue waxing through the entire pregnancy, begin in the early months. This will allow you to build a tolerance for the pain as the pregnancy progresses. As the hormone levels increase, the skin may become more sensitive and waxing may hurt more than before. Also, you may experience an increase in hair growth caused by higher hormone levels, making it necessary to wax more often.

In the later months, there may come a time when waxing may become too difficult. If you choose to continue, there are many day spas and salons that have technicians trained to care for expecting mothers.