Waxing And Threading: Safe Self-Care During Pregnancy? (2024)

Pregnancy is a time of many changes, and one of them is increased hair growth in unwanted places. This can be embarrassing, but there are ways to remove it. Waxing and threading are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but there are some things to keep in mind. For example, your skin may be more sensitive due to hormonal changes, so waxing can be more painful than usual. It's important to go to a clean salon and avoid waxing certain areas of the body. Threading is a safe option as it doesn't involve any chemicals, but it can be quite painful.

Waxing and threading are safe during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time when your body goes through many changes, and you may be unsure about which beauty routines are safe to continue. The good news is that waxing and threading are generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, there are some important precautions to be aware of and some extra sensitivity to keep in mind.

Waxing During Pregnancy

Waxing is a common hair removal method that can be done by a professional or at home. It is generally safe to continue waxing during pregnancy, but there are some extra considerations to keep in mind.

Precautions for Waxing During Pregnancy

• Make sure the facility or salon is clean and uses new wax and strips for each client. Reusing applicators or wax can increase the risk of infection.
• Avoid waxing areas with acne, broken skin, moles, warts, rashes, or skin conditions like melasma. Waxing can irritate the skin and cause acne breakouts, folliculitis, and ingrown hairs.
• If you have sensitive skin or are waxing sensitive areas, consider using hard wax, which is less likely to stick to the skin.
• Avoid waxing in the last month of pregnancy and as your due date approaches, as your skin may be more sensitive, and discomfort may be more intense.
• Avoid lying flat on your back for extended periods during waxing, especially in the later stages of pregnancy.
• Consult with your doctor or obstetrician before waxing during pregnancy, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy or history of allergies or skin sensitivity.

Threading During Pregnancy

Threading is another hair removal method that can be done by a professional or at home. It is generally safe during pregnancy and has some advantages over other methods.

Benefits of Threading During Pregnancy

Threading has several benefits for pregnant women:

• It is a safe, natural procedure that does not involve chemicals or substances that could potentially harm you or your baby.
• Threading can remove even the finest hairs, ensuring that every strand is taken care of and giving your eyebrows a perfect shape.

Precautions for Threading During Pregnancy

There are a few precautions to keep in mind when considering threading during pregnancy:

• Ensure that the tools used are disinfected and safe for your skin.
• Threading can expose your pores to dirt, dust, and grime, making them susceptible to bacterial infections.
• If you are prone to acne during pregnancy, threading may not be advisable as it can cause acne to rupture.
• Always ensure you are in a well-ventilated room during the procedure.

Overall Precautions for Hair Removal During Pregnancy

Whether you choose waxing, threading, or another hair removal method, there are some general precautions to keep in mind during pregnancy:

• Avoid methods that involve harsh chemicals, such as hair removal creams, bleaching, or laser hair removal. These can contain chemicals that may be harmful to you and your baby.
• Stay away from procedures that raise your body temperature, as it is important to maintain a healthy body temperature during pregnancy.
• Inform the salon staff that you are pregnant so they can take the necessary precautions and ensure your comfort and safety.
• Consult your doctor or obstetrician before starting any new beauty treatments during pregnancy to ensure they are safe for you and your baby.

Hormonal changes make hair grow faster and thicker

Pregnancy hormones can cause hair to grow faster and thicker. This is due to an increase in the hormone oestrogen, which lengthens the active growth cycle of hair. This means that hair stays in the growing phase of its cycle for longer, resulting in thicker hair. The increase in oestrogen can also cause hair to grow in unwanted places, such as the armpits, legs, bikini line, upper lip, and belly.

Thicker Hair

Many women experience thicker hair during pregnancy, usually noticeable around 15 weeks into the pregnancy. The individual hair strands do not become thicker, but the increase in oestrogen causes more hair to be in the growing phase of its cycle, resulting in less hair fall. This can be a desirable side effect of pregnancy.

Hair Growth in Unwanted Places

The hormonal changes during pregnancy can also lead to hair growth in places where it was not previously noticeable, such as the chin, upper lip, lower back, the line from the stomach to the pubic area, and around the nipples. This can be embarrassing and bothersome for some women.

Temporary Changes

It is important to note that these changes in hair growth are temporary. About six months after giving birth, the hair will return to its previous condition. However, some women may experience hair loss after pregnancy due to a decrease in oestrogen levels. This is a normal and temporary condition known as postpartum hair loss or telogen effluvium.

Skin is more sensitive during pregnancy

Pregnancy affects each woman's skin differently, and some may experience heightened skin sensitivity. This is because your body is producing extra blood and fluids to support your growing baby. As a result, your skin may be more sensitive than usual, making hair removal methods such as waxing and threading more painful.

If you've never had waxing before, it might not be a good idea to start during pregnancy. With your doctor's approval, you could try taking two Tylenol an hour before the treatment to minimize discomfort.

Tell the skin care professional that you'd like to have a test done on a small patch of hair. This will give you a sense of how the process will feel and let you know how your skin will react. If it's too painful, you can stop before a large area of your skin is affected.

If you're uncomfortable with waxing during pregnancy, consider other hair removal methods such as threading and tweezing. These are safe alternatives as they don't involve harsh chemicals or hot wax that can irritate the skin.

Cleanliness and infection risk

Waxing and threading are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but maintaining cleanliness is crucial to prevent infections. When visiting a salon, ensure they maintain high hygiene standards and do not reuse wax or double-dip applicators, as these practices can increase the risk of bacterial infections. Always check that the facility and esthetician are licensed, experienced, and follow proper hygiene protocols.

If you opt for at-home waxing, ensure all tools are sterilized and the area is clean. For both salon and at-home waxing, it is important to prepare the skin by cleaning and gently exfoliating the area to be waxed. This helps the wax adhere better and can reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.

It is also important to note that waxing can irritate the skin and cause minor bleeding, which may increase the risk of infection. To minimize this risk, use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer after waxing, and consider applying a topical antibiotic to any open areas. Additionally, avoid waxing over moles, skin tags, cuts, rashes, warts, or pimples, as these areas are more susceptible to infection.

Threading is another safe hair removal option during pregnancy, as it does not involve the use of chemicals. However, it is important to ensure that the tools used are disinfected to reduce the risk of bacterial infections.

In both waxing and threading, the risk of infection can be further reduced by ensuring that the skin is well-cared for before and after the procedure. This includes avoiding harsh sunlight, exercise, and products with chemicals, perfumes, and dyes for 24 hours after waxing. Applying a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer can also help soothe the skin and reduce irritation.

Overall, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and being mindful of potential infection risks will help ensure that waxing and threading are safe during pregnancy.

Alternative hair removal methods

Pregnancy hormones can cause hair to grow thicker in certain areas of the body, such as the armpits, bikini line, upper lip, and belly. While this hair growth is only temporary, lasting about six months after giving birth, there are several alternative hair removal methods that can be used during pregnancy to remove unwanted hair safely.

Tweezing and Threading

Tweezing and threading are safe methods for removing unwanted hair during pregnancy. Tweezing is a convenient and easy option for quick fixes in small areas, such as the eyebrows, chin, or upper lip. On the other hand, threading is a technique that uses a loop of thread rotated across the skin to pluck hair and is usually done by a professional. Both methods are completely safe during pregnancy as they do not involve any chemicals or medical procedures.

Shaving

Shaving is another safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair during pregnancy. It is particularly useful for larger areas of the body, such as the legs and arms. When shaving, it is important to use a new blade and a proper cream or gel to prevent infections and irritation. It is also recommended to shave in the direction of hair growth and to be gentle, as the skin may be more sensitive during pregnancy.

Hair Removal Creams and Lotions

The use of hair removal creams, gels, lotions, aerosols, and roll-ons is another alternative to waxing during pregnancy. However, these products contain chemicals such as barium sulfide powder and calcium thioglycolate, which can cause an unpleasant odor and, in rare cases, an allergic reaction. While there is no evidence that these creams are harmful to developing babies, it is generally recommended to consult a doctor before using them during pregnancy.

Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis

Laser hair removal and electrolysis are methods that offer longer-lasting hair removal compared to shaving or waxing. Laser hair removal targets the hair's pigment to damage the hair follicle, while electrolysis uses electricity to destroy the hair root. However, there is limited research on the safety of these methods during pregnancy, so it is generally recommended to avoid them until after giving birth.

Frequently asked questions