Pregnancy should be an exciting and joyful time for any expectant mother. But it can also be a time of major change, bringing with it hundreds of questions concerning the health, safety, and comfort of you and your baby. With so many health factors to consider simultaneously, it’s great to know that you needn’t compromise on your beauty routine. Although there are some methods you should avoid, with a little extra care, there’s bound to be a hair removal technique that will keep you feeling smooth and sleek during the next nine months.

 

Pregnancy and Hair Growth

During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes to accommodate your new baby. During this time, it is very common for women to report the appearance of darker, thicker hair, as well as hair in new and unexpected places.^[1] No matter how alarming, the first thing to know is that this is perfectly common. This new hair is caused by hormonal changes (particularly estrogen), and an increase in blood flow and metabolism during pregnancy.^[2] The good news is that there will almost certainly be a hair removal option to keep you perfectly groomed during this time. And the best news? For most women, these changes are temporary, disappearing within the first six months of giving birth, while your body restores its hormonal balance.

 

Tweezing

The appearance of unwanted hairs around the upper-lip, brows, and nipples is very common during pregnancy. For these niggling stand-alone hairs, you may wish to opt for a quick and precise method of hair removal. Good old fashioned plucking is a great option, allowing you very precise control. This method also avoids any contact with products and chemicals which could cause irritation to particularly sensitive areas, such as the nipples.^[3]

 

Shaving

Staying hydrated and avoiding getting overheated go hand in hand with a healthy pregnancy.^[4]During the hot summer months, why shouldn’t you keep cool by showing off your smooth pair of legs? Shaving is one method that you could choose to keep yourself fresh and hairless. However, many women report higher levels of body hair growth during pregnancy^[5], meaning you may having to repeat your shaving routine much more often. But this can be inconvenient. Also, it is not uncommon to experience occasional difficulties with balance during pregnancy, so it’s very important to take extra care if removing hair in the shower.

Waxing

Waxing is a good option if you are looking for a more long-term solution – after all, you have enough things to be getting busy with between baby showers and baby names! Ideal for legs, underarms, and bikini lines, waxing can be done in the comfort of your own home without having to worry about regrowth for up to four weeks^[6]. One downside is that waxing may cause more apparent bruising for pregnant women, however it is essentially safe to use.^[7] And if you are experiencing skin sensitivity during this time, you may want to opt for a wax designed for sensitive skin. Veet’s sensitive wax range contains nourishing ingredients such as almond oil and Vitamin E designed to ease any irritation you might experience.

 

Depilatory Creams

Depilatory creams are another great option for legs, underarms, and bikini-lines alike, and perfect if you are looking to avoid the ouch-factor of waxing. Their effects also last longer than those of shaving.^[8] Again, if you are concerned about irritation, you could try out a cream designed for sensitive skin. And if you are not feeling at your most balanced, Veet’s Hair Removal Cream is perfect for a quick solution in the shower. Simply wash away after you cream away the hair, and reveal your freshly smoothed skin!

 

Laser Hair Removal

Although there have been major advancements in the field of permanent hair removal, many doctors do not recommend this method to pregnant women, due to a lacking of studies in the areas. As such, it’s best to avoid this method until after your pregnancy is over. Although you may not be delighted about finding unwanted hair on your body, the great news that it is more than likely going to be temporary, so you needn’t worry about removing it permanently.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to any aspect of pregnancy, but it’s safe to say that most women still want to look and feel their best during these happy months. Remember that all these changes are very common, and there are many options you can try. Last but not the least, you should always remember to check with your doctor if you have a particular concern about your body changes during pregnancy.