Breastfeeding and Laser Treatments and why it’s best to wait!
I have had a few enquiries recently asking questions around breastfeeding and laser, so I thought I would write a blog about it – giving you all my knowledge around this topic.
Breastfeeding is a unique and intimate experience for both mother and baby. (I tried it with both mine and found it really difficult, but I love that I tried). During this period, new mothers often consider resuming various beauty and medical treatments, including laser treatments. However, it’s generally recommended to postpone such treatments until after you have finished breastfeeding.
There is no scientific evidence to say laser causes harm, but here is why waiting until your breastfeeding journey has finished;
Breastfeeding triggers significant hormonal changes in a woman’s body. Prolactin and oxytocin, the hormones responsible for milk production, also influence other bodily functions. This includes skin sensitivity and healing processes. These hormonal fluctuations can impact the efficacy and safety of laser treatments.
- Skin Sensitivity: Hormones like oestrogen and prolactin can increase skin sensitivity and pigmentation. This heightened sensitivity can make the skin more reactive to laser treatments.
- Healing Response: The body’s healing response is also affected by hormonal changes. Breastfeeding mothers may have an altered immune response, potentially slowing down the healing process post-laser treatment.
Laser Hair Removal: This popular treatment of ours targets hair follicles with concentrated light. Due to hormonal changes, new mothers might experience unexpected hair growth or loss. This potentially can affect the results of the treatment. Waiting until hormones settle ensures more predictable outcomes.
Tattoo Removal: This process involves breaking down ink particles with laser. The body’s ability to process and eliminate these particles might be altered during breastfeeding. The stress of multiple sessions could also impact milk production and overall well-being.
Why do we recommend waiting?
Minimised Risk: By waiting, you minimise the risk of adverse reactions and ensure that your body’s healing processes are not compromised by hormonal fluctuations.
Optimal Results: Postponing treatments allows your skin and hormones to return to their pre-pregnancy state, providing a better baseline for any cosmetic procedures. This ensures more predictable and satisfactory results can be achieved.
While the desire to resume or start laser treatments postpartum is understandable, waiting until after breastfeeding is the safest and most effective approach. This period allows your hormones to settle, reducing the risk of skin sensitivity and adverse reactions, and ensuring optimal results from your laser appointments.
By prioritising your health and well-being during breastfeeding, you can enjoy the benefits of both being a new mummy and your desired beauty treatments when the time is right.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the birth of your new baby. Enjoy the ride, be kind to yourself, and know that we are not going anywhere, so when you and your body are ready, we will be here.
Lots of love
Amy