Carrying a pregnancy to full term is not an easy task, since a mom’s body changes so much in nine months. Some moms endure a lot to bring forth new life, but for others, it’s a breeze and they barely notice anything out of the norm. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the body behave abnormally. Some women develop facial hair which can be unsettling.
While excess hair goes away after the baby is born, it is good to check with your doctor to eliminate the possibility of a serious problem. A tumour in the adrenal glands or near the ovaries can cause facial hair growth in women. Other conditions such as acromegaly and Cushing syndrome can cause excess hair growth on the face. However, if the hair is caused by pregnancy hormones it will go away after birth. If you cannot live with it at the moment, here are some pregnancy-safe solutions.
Shaving
Shaving is one of the safest hair removal options. Using a manual shaver or an electric shaver on your sideburns, lip, and chin area is safe. Make sure you shave correctly to avoid razor bumps. Don’t share razors with anybody including your husband. You may need to shave more often since hair might regrow in nine months.
Tweezing And Threading
If the unwanted hair is not a lot. You can thread or tweeze it away. Threading is best done by a professional if you have no idea how to go about it. Tweezing can be a DIY job. This only applies if the hair is not a lot.
Waxing
Using wax and melted sugar is another long term hair removal option. If your skin is too sensitive from pregnancy hormones, you might want to stay away from this one. Waxing is also not good for sensitive areas such as your nose, nipples, ears, and varicose veins. Sugar waxing is a good option for belly hair and pubic hair removal. You can use it on your face if you are not too sensitive. Use small bits at a time.
Depilatories
Depilatories are hair removal options that involve lotions, sprays, gels, pastes, and creams. It is still debatable whether you should use these during pregnancy. This is because they come with active chemicals that dissolve hair follicles. When used on sensitive skin, they can cause serious chemical burns. They can also cause allergic reactions for someone who has not used them before.
Bleaching
People use bleach to mask unwanted hair all the time. People use bleach to cover unwanted facial hair in the hope that the hair will fall off after the baby is born. However, during pregnancy, it is best to avoid irritating the skin with chemicals.
Laser Hair Removal
Hair removal using lasers has become popular due to its convenience. Lasers damage hair follicles and prohibit hair growth. No study has determined whether the use of lasers is okay for the unborn children. To be safe, it is best to use laser hair removal after the baby has been delivered.
Sources: healthline.com, parents.com, babycentre.co.uk