Using Hair Removal Cream While Pregnant: Is It Safe?

You can expect your body to undergo many changes in shape, size and appearance during pregnancy. You may enjoy the pregnancy glow, but the increase in hair growth may cause discomfort. Many women consider using a hair removal cream to get rid of excess hair while pregnant because it’s convenient. Hair removal creams may have been a part of your grooming kit for years, but while pregnant, you must wonder if you should use them during pregnancy. While pregnant, you have to tread carefully with anything and everything you do. Let’s find out if you should use a hair removal cream during pregnancy!

Can You Use Hair Removal Cream in Pregnancy?

Yes, according to the NCT, you can use hair removal creams during pregnancy as it is safe (1). However, their application may irritate your skin while pregnant, as a woman’s skin is highly sensitive to external products during pregnancy. However, they may not cause significant issues when applied for a short duration (2). Hair removal creams, also known as depilatories, are directly applied to the skin (3). It is best to evaluate the safety of the product to ensure it does not affect you or your baby in a direct or indirect manner.

Reasons for Increased Hair Growth During Pregnancy

The following are the common reasons for increased hair growth during pregnancy:

• During the first trimester, the body’s level of androgen increases, leading to enhanced hair growth. Also, since hair fall is reduced, hair feels fuller and thicker in volume (4) (5).
• Doctors prescribe vitamin supplements to women during pregnancy, which causes faster hair growth. The latent hair follicles come alive due to the presence of the hormone called progesterone. This hormone is also responsible for lesser hair fall and thicker hair.
• Prolonged periods of good sleep and larger meals contribute to reduced stress levels in the pregnant woman’s body. This leads to a faster pace of hair growth.
• The excess production of androgen during pregnancy can cause the growth of hair on other parts of the body too. Hair growth on the arms, legs, stomach, face and at times nipples can lead to discomfort.
• Women with longer hair are likely to experience changes in thickness and hair texture. Body hair will disappear within 6 to 7 months of childbirth.

Benefits of Using Hair Removal Cream While Pregnant

Using hair removal creams to remove excess hair is more convenient and simple than waxing, shaving, and epilating. These creams are easy to apply and hassle-free to use. During pregnancy, hair growth is more frequent and thicker. One reason pregnant women prefer using hair removal creams is that they reduce the growth frequency.

The process of hair removal cream proves to be quick and pain-free as opposed to waxing, and this finds favour with pregnant women (6). During pregnancy, some women may get anxious about their appearance and their growing body. While a woman cannot and should not bother about her growing body (it’s accommodating the baby, after all), she is likely to get concerned about excess hair growth, which can be tackled by using hair removal creams.

How Does Hair Removal Cream Work?

Hair removal creams consist of chemicals known to work on keratin, which is the structural ingredient of the hair. When the cream is applied, it causes the hair to break and detach from the skin (6). Manufacturers of hair removal creams use powerful masking fragrances to eliminate the chemical smell. You may experience an allergic reaction or skin irritation due to these fragrances and chemicals.

Chemicals Used in Hair Removal Creams

Barium sulfide powder and calcium thioglycolate are commonly used ingredients in a majority of hair removal creams (7) (8). Hair removal creams from top brands also contain harsh chemicals. The keratin in the hair is broken down by these chemicals, which separate the hair from the skin. Now you know about the chemicals, make sure you check with your doctor before using a hair removal cream.

Safety Measures for Using Hair Removal Cream When Pregnant

Before using hair removal creams on your body during pregnancy, follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Do not use the cream to remove facial hair or on broken skin.
• Check the ingredients of the cream you are about to use if you are unsure about it.
• Read any special notes/directions and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the tube or packet before using the cream.
• When it comes to hair removal creams, pick a product that is suitable for sensitive skin. When in doubt, check with your doctor.
• Apply a tiny patch on the arm before using it on other parts of your body. Do this even if you have used the cream prior to your pregnancy.
• While using the cream, make sure the room is properly ventilated as the strong smell can leave you feeling light-headed and nauseous.
• The manufacturers of the hair removal creams recommend that the cream should be left on the skin for a specific period. Follow this strictly and use a timer if needed.
• Hair-removing creams with a strong smell can cause headaches or vomiting. It is best to check the powerful smells before you buy one.
• As an alert mother-to-be, speak to your doctor about using creams that will not harm your baby in any manner. This is important during the first trimester when the foetus is undergoing a lot of changes. Several doctors recommend staying away from chemicals, especially during the first trimester as during this time, the foetus is highly vulnerable to health risks (1).

FAQs

1. What are other safe hair removal techniques during pregnancy?

Shaving, threading, and waving are other pregnancy-safe hair removal techniques for pregnant women.

2. Can women with high-risk pregnancies use a hair removal cream?

Women with high-risk pregnancies are usually advised to maintain distance from anything potentially damaging or harming the baby or the mother. Hair removal products should be used only after a certified doctor’s consultation.

3. Can hair removal creams cause miscarriages?

There is no significant evidence present that indicates any relation between miscarriage and hair removal creams. However, pregnant women in their first trimester are advised to stay away from chemicals as much as possible to safeguard their and their baby’s health.

Although pregnancy is the most beautiful and rewarding phase of your life, it is important to treat it with caution and care. You will want to socialise and go out with your partner, and you will want to look your best. You should deal with excessive hair growth in the same manner as other pregnancy-related changes. Don’t let it worry you. You are strong and beautiful, and soon you will have a baby. Think about your baby, and you will look and feel radiant!

References/Resources:

1. Which beauty treatments are safe during pregnancy?; NCT; https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/social-life/which-beauty-treatments-are-safe-during-pregnancy

2. Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding; NSW Government; https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/groups/Royal_Hospital_for_Women/Mothersafe/documents/skinhaircareandcosmetictreatmentsapril2021.pdf

3. 6 WAYS TO REMOVE UNWANTED HAIR; AAD; https://aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/hair/remove-unwanted-hair

4. Changes to hair during pregnancy; Pregnancy Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/changes-to-hair-during-pregnancy

5. 10 Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant; Nemours KidsHealth; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pregnancy.html

6. A Deep Dive on Depilatory Creams; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/depilatory-cream-hair-removal

7. Horvath. A. L; Solubility of Structurally Complicated Materials: 3. Hair; TheScientificWorldJournal; https://www.researchgate.net/figure/ngredients-of-Depilatory-Creams_tbl3_24398981; 2009

8. Tsai. P. F, et al.; Depilatory creams increase the number of hair follicles, and dermal fibroblasts expressing interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and tumor necrosis factor-β in mouse skin; Korean J Physiol Pharmacol.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8552827/; November 2021

Also Read:

Hair Loss during Pregnancy
Facial Bleach during Pregnancy
Eyebrow Threading when Pregnant
How to Take Care of Skin in Pregnancy?
Manicure & Pedicure while Pregnant

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