Laser hair removal while breastfeeding

Many women who have recently given birth and are considering breastfeeding laser hair removal as a way to effectively remove unwanted hair. Although this is a popular and long-lasting solution for hair reduction, The Laserhouse does not perform laser hair removal treatments during breastfeeding. In this article we explain why we made this decision and what influence hormones have on the effectiveness of treatment during breastfeeding.

Why is laser hair removal during breastfeeding not effective?

During the pregnancy and breastfeeding period, the body undergoes significant hormonal fluctuations, which directly affect hair growth. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone spelen hierbij een grote rol. Deze hormonen, die tijdens de zwangerschap en borstvoeding in hoge concentraties aanwezig blijven, kunnen de resultaten van laser hair removal beïnvloeden op de volgende manieren:

  1. Unpredictable hair growth
    During breastfeeding it is common that hormone levels have not yet normalized. This can cause your hair growth cycle to remain unpredictable, which directly affects the effectiveness of the treatment. Laser hair removal works best when hair is in the active growth phase. Due to hormonal fluctuations, many hairs can remain in the resting phase or alternate, which makes the results of the treatment less reliable.
  2. Temporary results
    The hair growth you experience while breastfeeding may be temporary. Just like during pregnancy, hairs can appear thicker and darker, which is caused by hormonal changes. Once your body returns to normal hormone levels after stopping breastfeeding, these changes in hair growth may disappear, so the results of the laser treatment may be short-lived.

How do hormones affect hair growth during breastfeeding?

The hormones that help your body with breastfeeding can also cause your hair growth to change. During pregnancy, increased estrogen levels keep your hair in check anagen phase (growth phase), which means that many women notice that they have less hair loss and thicker hair. After childbirth, these estrogen levels drop, leading to a disruption in the hair growth cycle. These hormonal fluctuations can continue during breastfeeding.

  • Estrogen: This hormone, which is still present at relatively high levels during breastfeeding, can influence the hair growth cycle by keeping hairs in the growth phase longer or causing them to fall out more quickly once hormones start to drop.
  • Progesterone: This hormone may help your hair grow back faster during breastfeeding, but it can also make hair growth cycles unpredictable, meaning not all hairs are in the active phase when targeted by laser treatments.

Why wait until after breastfeeding?

Because hormonal fluctuations during breastfeeding can reduce the effectiveness of laser treatments, our recommendation at The Laserhouse is to wait until your hormones have stabilized before beginning a laser hair removal treatment. This ensures the best results and prevents you from undergoing multiple sessions without achieving the desired effect.

When is it a good time to start laser hair removal?

Once you stop breastfeeding and your hormone levels have normalized, your hair growth cycle will return to a more stable pattern. This is the ideal time to start laser hair removal, because your hair then grows in a predictable manner and the laser can better target the hair in the active growth phase.

It may take several months for your hormones to regain balance after stopping breastfeeding. It is wise to visit your specialist for a consultation to determine when it is best to start your treatments permanent hair removal.

Alternatives to laser hair removal during breastfeeding

If you want to do something about unwanted hair growth while breastfeeding, there are alternatives that are safe and effective, without being affected by hormonal fluctuations:

  • Shave: This remains a quick and safe option for hair removal, without the hormone changes in your body affecting the results.
  • Epilation or waxing: Although this may take more time and be a bit more uncomfortable, it offers a temporary alternative to smooth skin without the use of laser treatments.

Conclusion

Although laser hair removal while breastfeeding is not necessarily harmful, we argue The Laserhouse this treatment is not recommended because hormonal fluctuations may cause the results of the treatment to be less than optimal. By waiting for your hormones to stabilize after breastfeeding, you ensure that treatments are more effective and you achieve long-lasting results.

If you have any questions about when is the best time to start laser hair removal sessions, you can always contact a specialist at The Laserhouse for professional advice and a personalized treatment plan.

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