When we talk about aesthetics and the use of cosmetics in mothers who are breastfeeding their babies , it is normal that doubts arise about its suitability during breastfeeding, as there may be situations in which it is not compatible.
One of the biggest concerns is hair removal: what methods are the most recommended while breastfeeding? Is laser hair removal contraindicated if you are breastfeeding your child? Are there any precautions that you should take so that the skin, especially sensitive during the postpartum period, does not suffer from the effect of waxing? We clarify all your doubts.
No depilatory method is contraindicated during lactation
To begin with, we have consulted on the e-lactancia website (a reference portal prepared by APILAM pediatricians and pharmacists on safe and incompatible breastfeeding methods and medications) the effects of depilatory methods while breastfeeding , and this is what what experts say about it:
” There is no scientific evidence to support that any of the methods used to depilate [shaving, shaving, waxing or cotton flossing (threading, khite), chemicals, electrolysis, laser (alexandrite, diode, neodymium, – ruby or YAG), photoepilation] is incompatible with breastfeeding . Neither does the hair removal be less effective because the hair is in the telogen or rest-fall phase, nor that discoloration may occur due to an alleged hormonal effect during breastfeeding “
Photoepilation during breastfeeding
Photoepilation by laser and pulsed light are techniques that use light rays of different wavelength and power that damage the hair follicles, which ends up inhibiting or delaying hair growth. Without a doubt, it is the most effective depilatory technique , but a couple of aspects should be taken into account when applying it while breastfeeding.
On the one hand, although the e-lactation website mentions that it is a safe and compatible method for breastfeeding ( “There is no scientific proof that any of the types of laser – alexandrite, diode, neodymium, ruby or YAG – is incompatible with breastfeeding “ ), it is recommended not to use it in the chest area or to do it with due precautions, given the irritation and possible local infection secondary to the use of laser .
On the other hand, it must be remembered that during the first six months postpartum, most women experience a phenomenon opposite to what happened during pregnancy: there is a massive and sudden hair loss and body hair tends to weaken and grow slower .
Therefore, it may make more sense to wait approximately six months before doing the photoepilation after giving birth, because from that moment the body hair will grow again with the strength and intensity of before and thus you will save yourself from eliminating hair that will probably fall from all ways.
The use of anesthetic creams before waxing
For a time, the recommendation to apply topical anesthetic cream (lidocaine and prilocaine) before photoepilation in order to mitigate discomfort became popular. However, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has been warning for years about the risks of methemoglobinemia that can cause the use of these creams on large skin surfaces.
Methemoglobinemia is a disorder in which the body’s red blood cells lose their ability to adequately transport oxygen to the tissues. This causes the appearance of different symptoms due to lack of oxygenation, such as: bluish color of skin and mucous membranes (it is the most characteristic symptom), anxiety, irritability, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion and seizures.
These recommendations are :
- No more than 60 grams of product should be administered (two tubes).
- The extension of the administration of the cream must be less than a maximum area of 600cm², this is an area of 30 x 20 cm (these dimensions correspond approximately to the size of a sheet of folio-size paper)
- The time that the cream must be applied will be a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 5 hours.
Regarding the use of these creams during lactation , on the e-lactancia website we can see that both the lidocaine and prilocaine compounds, present in these topical anesthetics, are safe and compatible , although they allude to the possible complication mentioned.
Side effects of waxing
In general, any depilatory method can cause skin irritation and slight stinging , which can be more or less depending on the method chosen. However, these are short-term and non-serious side effects.
To mitigate post-depilatory discomfort , it is recommended to take a cold or warm shower to help close the pores, hydrate the area very well with a moisturizer or body oil that does not contain alcohol or perfumes, avoid exposure to the sun for the next 48 hours and do not apply irritating or exfoliating products.
Via | e-lactation
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