Many women use depilatory creams to get rid of unwanted body hair, but when they get pregnant, they can’t help but wonder:
Is it safe to use a hair removal cream when pregnant? So lets discuss in detail if can hair removal cream be used during pregnancy
Some women find that the cream irritates their skin when they’re expecting, while others find it completely safe and convenient to continue using a hair removal cream in pregnancy.
So, what can YOU expect?
Let’s find out!
How Pregnancy Changes Hair Growth
Pregnancy causes significant changes to the skin and hair. Your body undergoes many changes to accommodate your baby.
You might wake up one morning to unusually long, thick, and stubborn hair on your body.
Many women notice that their hair grows exceptionally fast during pregnancy. Some also witness changes in their texture and thickness. The new hair can also be darker, drier, or greasier than usual.
Generally, women notice more hair on their legs, tummy, and face, under their arms, and in the pubic area after they conceive.
Please know that this is perfectly normal, and you don’t have to freak out if you notice any changes in your hair growth or the hair itself.
The crazy pregnancy hormones and high estrogen levels are to blame for this. The hair growth returns to normal five to six months after you’ve had a baby.
The change in hair growth can make your pregnancy journey frustrating. While hair removal during pregnancy is a proper task, some women prefer keeping their body hair in check.
If you feel the same way, you’d want to find a way to manage the follicular overgrowth throughout the nine months safely. Being a painless option using hair removal cream when pregnant is common question women wonder.
How Do Chemical Hair Removal Products Work?
Depilatory creams remove hair from your body without plucking, tweezing, shaving, or waxing.
They typically contain calcium potassium salts to weaken and break down the keratin bonds in each hair strand.
Once the bonds are broken, the hair becomes soft and loosens from the follicles, allowing you to wipe them off your skin.
Hair removal creams generally have the same ingredients and function to dissolve the hair follicles and help you get rid of unwanted hair quickly with optimal convenience.
Should You Use a Hair Removal Cream When Pregnant?
Depilatory creams have made the hair removal procedure incredibly easy, fast, and painless for women.
Thankfully, you can continue to hair removal cream during pregnancy . Studies confirm that hair removal creams don’t cause any harm during pregnancy or lactation. Hence we can conclude hair removal cream is safe during pregnancy
Generally, anything that’s applied to the skin is safe for use for pregnant women as long as it doesn’t get absorbed into the bloodstream.
Just make sure you use your depilatory cream properly to prevent the risk of skin irritation and infection.
Another question that we get a lot is: Can a hair removal cream be used to remove hair from the bikini area during pregnancy, or should you stick to the legs only?
Please know that depilatory creams can be used to remove hair from all parts of the body not without safety concerns.
However, you should keep the following things in mind:
1. Skin Sensitivity
The skin usually becomes extra sensitive during pregnancy. When the wild hormones start giving you more hair, they also increase the chances of your skin getting an allergic reaction from depilatory creams.
Although the reaction would only affect the upper layer of your skin and won’t cause any harm to your baby, you may find it more challenging to treat the allergy since most allergy medications are off-limits for pregnant women.
2. Unpleasant Smell
Most hair removal creams have a slightly unpleasant smell. During pregnancy, this smell can be overwhelming. Since the process of breaking down your hair keratin by the chemical ingredients found in the cream is generally a stinking affair, you can’t do much about the smell.
The smell isn’t harmful to your health, though (phew!). However, with your extra active hormones, you may find it more offensive than usual. This is because your nose tends to get more sensitive during pregnancy.
Imagine having to bear the smell of rotten eggs when you feel sick or nauseous in the morning!
Disclaimer: Many women avoid using any chemicals during the first three months of their pregnancy to be on the safe side.
Hence, you may consider shaving off the unwanted hair during this period instead of using a hair removal cream.
What Precautions Should You Take before Using a Hair Removal Cream when Pregnant?
Considering the convenience, time savings, and comfort offered by depilatory creams, it makes perfect sense to continue using this hair removal method.
However, it’s highly recommended to do a patch test before going all the way in. Even if you have never taken this advice to heart, you should think twice before skipping it during pregnancy.
A patch test will reveal any allergic reactions your hair removal cream may cause to your post-conception skin. It’s better to experience irritation or infection on a small spot instead of the entire arm or leg.
How to Do a Hair Removal Cream Patch Test
Most over-the-counter depilatory creams come with proper instructions to perform a patch test.
Here are the general steps you need to follow.
Step 1: Pick an Area
First of all, you must choose a specific area of your skin for the patch test. Go for one that isn’t typically exposed to the public so that nobody has to know about the allergic reaction (if it happens).
Also, make sure the thickness of the skin in this area is similar to that of the part you want to use the hair removal cream on.
For example, if you want to get rid of the pesky hair on your face, do the patch test right under your ear instead of the legs.
Step 2: Apply the Product
The next step is to apply a dime-sized amount of the depilatory cream to the selected area.
Make sure the product is applied evenly and gets fully absorbed to break down the hair strands efficiently.
Step 3: Check Directions on the Package
Check the instructions on the package to make sure you aren’t missing anything. Check the recommended time for patch testing mentioned on the box. It usually ranges from 3 to 10 minutes.
Once the time is up, you should wipe the cream off your skin. The hair will fall off simultaneously. Wash the area gently and see if cleansing is required.
Step 4: Monitor Your Skin for Any Reactions
After doing the patch test, you must wait 24 to 48 hours to see any reaction. The signs you need to look out for include itching, swelling, excessive redness, and rash.
If you experience any reaction, you shouldn’t use the cream again on any part of your skin.
A Few Helpful Tips
The following tips will help you do a patch test with your hair removal cream the right way.
- Check the list of ingredients on the product packaging to confirm you’re not allergic to anything.
- Open the windows before you start to ensure there is proper ventilation. This will help you put up with the unpleasant smell of the depilatory cream.
- Keep a pregnancy-safe moisturizer within arm’s reach to soothe any skin irritation.
- Avoid using the cream on rough or damaged skin to minimize the risk of infections and irritation.
- Do NOT keep the product on for any longer than the recommended duration. This will prevent the risk of your body absorbing any potentially harmful chemicals. You can set the alarm to time how long the cream stays on.
Still In doubt to use Hair Removal Cream when Pregnant? Here are the alternatives
Using a hair removal cream when pregnant is your call. Use your judgment to determine what’s best for your skin.
As suggested earlier, you can wait until the second or third trimester to use a hair removal cream to avoid exposing your skin to chemicals.
It is also a good idea to limit your use of depilatory creams to once a week, no matter how fast your hair grows during pregnancy.
Overall, we think hair removal creams are a safe option for pregnant women. However, if you have concerns or are skeptical about them, you can try the following alternatives.
Plucking and Tweezing
Needless to say, plucking and tweezing hurt a lot. On top of that, these methods warrant some extra time, patience, and precision.
If you have that kind of stamina to follow this procedure throughout pregnancy, best of luck!
The only thing plucking and tweezing can help with is the extra hair sprouting in the upper lip and eyebrow regions. Some women notice stand-alone hair growing around their nipples during pregnancy.
If you’re on the same boat, you’ll find a pair of tweezers quite helpful. They help remove hair fast with excellent precision control.
Moreover, you won’t have to worry about chemicals absorbing into your skin or products causing skin irritation in sensitive areas like the nipples.
Waxing
Compared to tweezing and plucking, waxing helps save plenty of time, but again, it hurts.
You should do a patch test to ensure the wax doesn’t irritate your skin before applying the product to large portions of your skin.
If the product works for you, you can rely on waxing as a long-term solution. It can be used for legs, arms, underarms, and the bikini line.
Thankfully, you can do it at home. You could also ask your partner for help when you’re in the last stages of pregnancy.
However, one disadvantage of waxing is that it leaves more apparent bruises on the skin of pregnant women. It is completely safe for use, though.
After conceiving, your skin becomes extra sensitive, you should get your hands on a wax designed for sensitive skin. This will minimize your chances of skin irritation.
You can easily find wax for sensitive skin in stores or online. These products are usually infused with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and almond oil to ease irritation and infections.
Shaving
In our opinion, shaving is the most reasonable alternative if you do not want to use hair removal cream when pregnant. It helps remove the stubborn hair quickly and without pain
However, bear in mind that your hair might also grow back quicker, coarser than usual if you start using razors.
This means you may have to shave twice as often to enjoy soft, smooth, hairless skin during pregnancy.
Please note that pregnant women tend to be clumsier than usual. Hence, you must take be extra careful when shaving in the shower.
You could also ask your partner to help you keep your balance when going in and coming out of the bathtub.
What You Shouldn’t Do During Pregnancy
That being said, you should avoid taking certain paths when removing unwanted hair during pregnancy. These include:
- Bleaching
- Laser hair removal
Not much research has been done regarding the safety of these hair removal procedures for pregnant women. So, it is better to be safe than sorry.
The Final Verdict: Is it a Good Idea to Use a Hair Removal Cream When Pregnant?
Several women rely on a hair removal cream when pregnant to remove unwanted hair from different parts of the body.
Hair removal cream can be used during pregnancy.There’s nothing wrong with it.
When used as directed, depilatory creams ensure quick and painless hair removal for pregnant women.
You can use them on your arms, legs, underarms, and bikini line. Facial hair removal creams are also available, specially formulated to get rid of the hair on the face.
Since your skin’s sensitivity level goes up when you’re expecting, you should choose a product that suits sensitive skin.
Moreover, a patch test should check if your skin and nose can handle the chemicals and the smell, respectively.
Be very caution to properly clean off the hair removal cream when pregnant to avoid any allergic reaction later.
If you have any other questions or concerns regarding using a hair removal cream when pregnant, you can talk to your doctor.
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