Pregnancy hormones can make you grow more unwanted hair than usual. But, when you’re pregnant, you still want to look good and feel good about your appearance.
Since you are pregnant, there may be some beauty regimens that are not a good idea because they could be harmful to you and ultimately, your baby.
Many women often wonder if waxing when pregnant is safe. This goes for leg waxing, bikini waxing, and Brazilian waxing. We’re going to take a look at what’s safe, what’s not, and what are some safer alternatives.
In this article
General Waxing Guidelines When Pregnant
While there are no hard rules to skip waxing while pregnant (unless it’s near your due date), there are a few things you want to be mindful of. If you have the following skin conditions you’ll want to skip the waxing for now:
- Varicose veins
- Open cuts
- Scar tissue
- Rashes
- Moles
- Pimples
- Warts
- Areas where acne medications are applied
You need to inform your beauty therapist that you are pregnant if it’s not obvious. Some places will not wax women who are in their first trimester. You’ll also want to make sure to do a patch test on any skin you’re going to get waxed while pregnant.
This will let you know if you’re going to have a reaction if you decide to wax the entire region. Also, make sure the hair grows about 1/2 inch so that the wax will stick to it. If not you may experience a good amount of pain.
If you’re not sold on going to the salon or spa to get a wax during pregnancy, you can try a home waxing kit. These kits tend to be pregnancy-safe. You’ll want to make sure the wax is not too hot.
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You also want to be able to reach any area that you are waxing. This will prevent skin burns that can become infected, not to mention extremely painful.
Remember, your body is producing extra blood and fluids to support your growing baby. This can make your skin more sensitive and in turn, your waxing will be more painful.
You’ll also want to choose a salon that’s clean and hygienic and that doesn’t re-use wax strips between clients. This can lead to infection.
If you’ve never been waxed before, it may not be a wise idea to start while you’re pregnant. To reduce any pain during waxing, you can ask your doctor if you can take two Tylenol an hour before treatment to minimize the discomfort.
Immediately after waxing, avoid harsh sunlight and tanning. Also, the day after you may want to skip using any products with perfumes or dyes as they can irritate the skin.
Different Types of Wax
If you’re thinking of waxing when pregnant it’s important to know there are two types of wax, soft and hard. Soft wax is spread on with a thin layer. A cloth strip is placed over the wax and rubbed on. The strip is then quickly torn off in the opposite direction that the hair grows.
Hard wax is spread on in a thicker layer. It dries until it gets hard. The wax is then torn off in the opposite direction the hair grows. Hard wax doesn’t stick to the skin as much as soft wax. This is why it’s often used in more sensitive areas like the bikini line.
Leg Waxing While Pregnant
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If you don’t want to shave your legs all of the time, you may think about waxing while pregnant. You don’t have to do it as frequently which is a plus for many women.
If your skin is more sensitive, you’ll want to use a soothing lotion before and after any waxing session. This will reduce any redness or swelling.
- The DHC soothing lotion is a gentle toner designed to calm and hydrate
- Ideal for complexions aggravated from seasonal elements and chronically sensitive skin
- Alcohol-free formula includes amino acid serine and soothing alcloxa to encourage natural moisture
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Bikini Waxing When Pregnant
A bikini wax will remove the hair outside of the area covered by a bikini. Many women choose to trim the longer hairs before they go into labor. This can be hard to do yourself as your belly grows, which is why many women opt to go to a spa or salon to get a wax.
If you do opt for a bikini wax while pregnant, know that it may not be as comfortable as before because your skin is more sensitive. You may need to take some breaks in between to get through the wax session.
You’ll want to check with your doctor before waxing because it can lead to the breakage of small blood vessels which can get infected.
If you do get bleeding along the bikini-line area or swelling, that is a normal skin irritation due to the waxing. You just want to make sure the bleeding is not excessive.
Brazilian Waxing When Pregnant
When it comes to getting a Brazilian wax while pregnant, it’s generally safe. But many professionals won’t do it if a woman is near her due date. During delivery, many women get vaginal tears and will need stitches.
Any hair waxing done close to the due date can just lead to more pain and no woman wants that. So, if you’re thinking of getting a Brazilian wax, you’ll want to do it well before that time.
Precautions to Take Before Waxing
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Whether you choose to get waxed at a spa or home, you’ll want to take these precautions:
- Carefully handle hot wax with home kits to prevent any burning that may lead to infection.
- Check the cleanliness of any salon. If anything seems odd, choose another place.
- Make sure the spatula being used is clean and unshared and that the technician is wearing gloves.
- Choose a trained and experienced technician at the salon who will choose the appropriate wax.
Alternatives to Waxing When Pregnant
If you’re not comfortable getting waxed while pregnant, shaving is the safest alternative. But, as your pregnancy progresses, you may find it difficult to keep up with the hair growth. At that time, you’ll want to ask your partner for help if you can.
Bleaching and using chemical depilatories might be dangerous during pregnancy. Ask your doctor before trying either of these products.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to waxing while pregnant, it is generally safe for women as long as you’re not near your due date. It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor before getting any waxing done.
They can advise you if it may not be a good idea for you specifically. Remember, your skin is more sensitive, so you’ll want to use a pregnancy-safe moisturizer afterward.
