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Pregnancy is a moment where your body goes through so many changes, both physically and emotionally. Some of these changes are arguably … a little embarrassing. For example, you may notice the growth of fine hair in unwanted places, such as the chin, upper lip, lower back, armpits, legs, or in the pubic area, as well as on the stomach and both nipples. Naturally, if you think about waxing while pregnant.
Don't worry, this new pattern of hair growth won't last forever. About six months or so after giving birth, hair will grow back to normal. Meanwhile, if you feel that these fine hairs are disturbing your appearance, waxing is one way to get rid of them.
But, is waxing during pregnancy safe?
Your skin during pregnancy tends to be more sensitive and prone to itching, due to fluctuating hormonal changes in the body. Your blood flow also flows more during pregnancy - to provide oxygen and nutrition for the fetus. This means waxing during pregnancy may be more painful than usual.
Removing all the fine hair, especially pubic hair, may even be quite unhygienic. Waxing can cause small blood vessels in sensitive areas to burst, which can potentially be colonized by bacteria and become infected. Even so, take it easy. The risk of serious infections and other complications from waxing during pregnancy is low if done carefully. Even if they do occur, the infection can usually be easily treated with topical antibiotics.
How is it safe to wax while pregnant?
Waxing during pregnancy is generally considered safe. But there are a few things you need to pay attention to if you want to wax while pregnant. Especially if your skin has one or more of the following conditions, health experts do not recommend waxing while pregnant:
- Open wound
- Varicose veins
- Rash
- Scar tissue
- Mole
- Acne
- Warts
- The area where the acne medication is usually applied
Apart from the above exceptions, here's a safe guide to waxing while pregnant, whether it's at home alone or with the help of a professional at a salon.
- Most of the home waxing kits you can find at supermarkets are quite safe to use while pregnant. Just make sure the wax isn't too hot. This prevents the wax from burning the skin, which is painful and can become infected.
- Keep in mind that if you want to wax yourself, it's best to first test the wax product on a small portion of the skin to determine if you have an allergic reaction. If so, stop using it.
- If your skin tends to be sensitive, try using a soothing lotion before and after a waxing session, such as aloe vera gel, to reduce redness or swelling.
- If you prefer to get professional help, make sure you go to a reputable salon or spa. Tell your therapist that you are pregnant, as he will have to test the wax on a small area of your skin (same as point 1). Some beauty salons have a policy not to allow waxing during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.
- You should also check to see if the salon facility is hygienic and the therapist is not recycling use of wax or waxing strips between clients. Recycling waxing kits can put you at risk for bacterial infection. Dipping the applicator in the wax container repeatedly for one customer also increases the risk of infection.
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