Please talk to your doctor!

Special Issues Pregnancy
#1

Many women who are pregnant or nursing find a sudden increase in unwanted hair. It’s fine to deal with this mechanically (like shaving or tweezing), but if you plan to try any method that uses chemicals or energy, it is very important you discuss the matter with your physician.

The following methods have not been determined to be safe for use on women who are preganant or nursing, and are methods you should discuss with your physician:

Electrolysis
Laser
Vaniqa topical cream
Prescription anti-androgens

Over-the-counter topicals*
Dietary supplements*
Microwave hair removal*
Photoepilators*
Electric tweezers*
Transdermal hair removal*
Transcutaneous hair removal*

  • these methods have not been proven to work as claimed, and should be avoided even if you aren’t pregnant or nursing.
1 Like
#2

Andrea… I have to disagree with you on the treatment of pregnant patients. Millions of women over the period of 125 years of use have been treated and there are many who became pregnant while undergoing treatment but did not know they were pregnant at the time of treament. There are doctors who suggest not having an electric current surge through the body under any circumstances, however, short wave does not sent an electric current through you. The patient experiences the HEAT of the RESISTANCE to the current. This is not dangerous and no problems have been reported in millions of patients over a very long time.

I agree it makes good practice to avoid treating the breasts of a nursing mother as the milk ducts are open and some women will get “mastitis” who DID NOT HAVE TREATMENTS, therefore, I do not treat these women to avoid being “in the loop” in case she does have a problem. The biggest problem is the possibility of “infection” due to carelessness and/or sloppy technique.

#3

Hi Andrea…
I forgot to include that the manufacturers package insert that acconpanies the anti-androgen pills DOES state “not to be used in women of child bearing age because some of them will get pregnant and the drug will affect the genitals of a male embryo so they will be born with malformed genitalia. There is no evidence a female will be effected, however, by the time the mother learns she is pregnant she will have taken the pills for a few weeks and the damage will have been done.

#4

My ob/gyn cleared electrolysis (thermo) and wrote me a prescription for Emla.

#5

geez, don’t tweeze! I think it could come back coarser and worser!

#6

It is always better to be safe then sorry.

I distribute Dr. Schuster’s Brochure electrolysis Q&A and he says it is safe to have electrolysis when pregnant.

I was taught that AC was safe and DC shouldn’t cross the womb.

This issue was recently addressed in ACTUELLE. Where Kay stated to avoid the fragile first three months.

I have worked on many people who found out they were pregnant and have yet to lose a baby. I have also worked on the nipples of women who wanted to nurse and were sent to me by their medical specialist. Ouch. It would have been better if they came in before becoming pregnant but they are very determined.

Because this issue has been recently active in my practice I have consulted with the researchers and manufacturers of implantable medical devices. I have also consulted with Physical Medicine practicioners who all say it is okay (don’t cross the womb).

I have already decided to research and document this and have enlisted the help of the above specialist. Don’t hold your breath it is going to take some time before I have free time.

I will say if your heart tells you not to work on pregnant people be safe with yourself. Electrolysis can wait.

I have asked laser professionals who say we don’t know. Who would want to do the experiment on an unborn anyway? We may never know.