When you become pregnant, your hair will get thicker and shinier. Especially if you have thin hair normally, you’ll be impressed with the added volume your pregnancy will give your locks. This is a result of increased hormones that
induce growth and also improve the quality of nutrients delivered to each strand. Unfortunately, this added volume isn’t restricted to the hair on your head. You might notice that you have thicker hair everywhere else, too. You might notice more hair growing on your upper lip, chin, and even your cheeks. You might even see stray hairs popping up on your breasts, back, and belly. The high levels of androgens present in your body cause the increase in hair all over your body during pregnancy. Luckily, the excess hair is temporary and you’ll go back to normal after you’ve given birth and the hormones have left your body. Unfortunately, the hairs can be difficult to remove for the time being.
Avoid using any bleaches or
depilatories to remove the excess hair that pops up during your pregnancy. Experts are unsure how much of these chemicals might be soaked into the skin. Other research shows that lotions are easily absorbed and could negatively affect your baby’s development, so it’s not safe to take chances. Instead, you could try tweezing any stray hairs. Waxing and shaving are also safe methods of removal. Even laser hair removal and electrolysis are safe during pregnancy. However, these can be expensive and painful, so they aren’t ideal during pregnancy. You’ll have a lot of expenses coming up, and pain will already be an everyday occurrence. For that reason, getting rid of the hair at home with tweezers or a razor is the safest form of removal during pregnancy.
No matter what type of removal treatment you choose, it will be just as effective as being patient. Studies show that all excess hair caused by extra androgens during pregnancy will fade away six months after you’ve given birth.
You’ll probably be glad to see the extra volume in the hair on your head once you become pregnant, but it will come at the expense of extra volume in the hair on your body. It’s extremely common and nothing to be ashamed of, but of course you’ll probably want to get rid of it. Luckily, it will go away on its own after delivery no matter what you do.
Source: Mohammed Adlan et al: Significant Hirutism Complicating Pregnancy with Postpartum Resolution. Society for Endocrinology Volume 25 pp. 76 2011