I keep seeing different things about the safety of electrolysis and pregnancy. I currently am getting thermolysis on my face (I’m only 1.5 months in) and may be pregnant. I have my next appointment tomorrow and am not sure if I am pregnant or not yet.
So, my question is…who has had thermolysis while pregnant? My first reaction is that it is safe because of the nature of what thermolysis does, but would appreciate feedback from those who have had it done. Thank you!
I hope some consumers will answer…
As an electrologist, I ask my clients to talk to their physician before continuing. Some docs don’t even want their pregnant patients to get facials or massages while pregnant! Having worked on many pregnant women (and on all areas including breasts and abdomen) over the years, none have reported any problems with baby. BUT…if you have any concerns then certainly postpone treatments.
I agree! The lack of response is a bit unsettling.
Again from a professional’s point of view: i do not treat during pregnancy. Not because of any objective risk for the child - Barbara has just confirmed that it is entirely possible. But IF something happens to the child, questions will undoubtedly arise, at least sometimes. This is not good for the client and it is not good for the practitioner as well.
I appreciate the honesty. So, you’re mainly concerned about liability?
I’ve had hair on my face for a long time, but the lack of response vs the amount of views makes me hesitant to go today. I want to get rid of the hair badly. However, now I feel stuck.
The lack of response might be due to the number of consumers here vs the number of electrologists. You have a number of (rock star) electrologists that visit hairtell on a regular basis. I suspect the consumers who visit are not checking in daily and so the possibly pregnant consumer will be even less likely to be checking in on the day you posted.
There are several things we do or don’t do because of our concern about liability.
That’s true. I was hoping for at least one though. 
Not that I expect anyone really cares, but I will add that I have worked on many pregnant women and never had any complaints, or two headed babies born to clients afterwards.
I just read your post. I had electrolysis done on my upper lip while I was pregnant. It was thermolysis not blend. My electrolygest said it was safe but check with your ob/gyn. My ob/gyn said it was safe as long as the treated areas are not your nipples or abdomen. I had so many treatments starting when I was12 weeks pregnant and they were 4 to 6 weeks spaced until I delivered my baby. My son is 9 month old and normal and healthy. Good luck.
One response from a consumer, wooohoo!
Like! (James, StillHaveHope, and Lara07)
Allow me to extend my heresy. I have actually worked breast hairs, belly hairs and pubic hairs on pregnant women in both thermolysis AND BLEND and never was there any problem. (Hell, I have worked on people with pacemakers as well without issue)
Don’t believe the hype folks.
The culture of fear is designed to keep you uncertain, and these days, they have honed the craft to the point where they don’t even feel the need to tell you what you are supposed to be afraid of. Just modify your behavior, don’t do what comes natural, just do what you are told and never question those in the ivory tower.
This is yet another case of people parroting what they were told, but not looking at the truth of what actually happens.
This is exactly why I asked, because I didn’t believe what I was reading about it.
If my business were based in an allegedly licensed state, my comments on this page would be an invitation to harassment, and possible incarceration.
It is just truth, and the truth yearns to be free.
Hi Lara
I can respond as a consumer and an electrologist (1 year in the profession). I am currently 26 weeks pregnant. In my opinion (and from what I’ve read) it is safe to have thermolysis. I am currently treating myself with thermolysis but this being my second pregnancy I know that some hair is only around during pregnancy and will disappear once the baby is born.
My facial hair was cleared 3 years ago (completed by another electrologist) and I became pregnant with my first baby mid way through treatment. I suffered no problems with my pregnancy as a result of electrolysis (thermolysis).
You say you are in the early stages of pregnancy - you may find that you start to sprout hairs where you had none before, or hair may become thicker and denser in certain areas.
This pregnancy (same as the first) has created lots of new outbreaks of hair. On my face, I am only treating the ones that are coarse and dark (the obvious ones) and leaving the fine ones because many of them will drop out after birth. I am not touching the ones on my body…yet.
I am witnessing hair growth in weird areas that will subside once pregnancy is over, e.g. my thighs, but also found that there are areas where hair normally grows that has ceased completely (!) e.g. my toes (but these will be back once baby is born). I won’t be treating any of my pregnancy induced belly hair - I’ll wait for a few months after the baby is born to see what remains (as some of it did last time, but not all).
So my advice is yes, thermolysis is safe; clear the hair that is already present, but be mindful that you may find hair grows in new places that doesn’t necessarily require electrolysis, especially if you can ‘manage’ it during your pregnancy.
Good luck!
Lambo,
I really appreciate your response! Thanks for taking the time to respond. Pregnancy seems to do all sorts of things! 
But exercise induces stress on the body too?
EMF (Electric and Magnetic Fields) includes RF (radio frequencies) that are used in thermolysis.
So, does the RF from thermolysis “radiate” throughout the entire body, or is this only confined to the “field” around the follicle? My guess is that thermolysis EMF is present in the entire body, but the affects are limited to the follicle … maybe.
Indeed, the total body mass of the person affects thermolysis. For example, the famous “meat experiment,” done by Hinkel, will not work with the tiny mass of meat alone. The person has to touch the meat (via aluminum foil) to increase the total mass, which thus allows heating of the tissue (RF return).
This is not my area of knowledge. I’m asking questions …
So, does ONLY DC “go through the body,” or does RF-thermolysis also “go through the body?” Is the RF “vibrating” all the cells in our body? Indeed, this is what “diathermy treatments” are supposed to do.
Nobody has ever shown any link between either RF or DC having any affect whatsoever on pregnancy. Still, this is one reason I refrain from getting pregnant and doing electrolysis at the same time. Always be safe, I say.
There is hubbub about the risks of EMF energy and health. I don’t particularly buy this, but, well, there it is anyway. I suppose you can worry about almost anything if you put your mind to it?
“this is one reason I refrain from getting pregnant and doing electrolysis at the same time.”
I could think of a bigger reason on why you refrain from getting pregnant