Pregnancy and Unwanted Facial Hair: Gynaecologist Explains The Hidden Link

Pregnancy is a phase when a woman’s body goes through different changes. One such change is unwanted facial hair growth. Many expectant mothers notice hair growth in facial areas such as the upper lip. While this may seem frustrating, the good news is it can be dealt with. If you want to know what causes this unwanted facial hair growth during pregnancy, read head. 

To understand this better, we reached out to a top gynaecologist, Dr Lavanya Kiran, Director and Lead Consultant, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, KIMS Hospitals, Electronic City, Bengaluru. Let us take a look at what the expert has to say about this.  

Pregnancy and Unwanted Facial Hair: What is The Link? 

Dr Kiran says that women often notice that during their pregnancy, there tends to be a lot of hair growth in some facial areas, like the upper lip and the chin. Explaining this, she says, “This is a natural process that results from hormonal changes in the body.”

The expert continues, “During pregnancy, there are high levels of hormones in the body, including oestrogen and in smaller amounts, androgens. These hormones have a stimulating effect on hair follicles, causing more hair growth. The hair becomes more noticeable due to improved circulation of blood and longer hair growth period. In most cases, the amount of unwanted facial hair gradually diminishes within several months following delivery, as hormones become balanced again.” 

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What Study Says About Pregnancy and Unwanted Facial Hair Growth

A 2016 study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, stated that many women notice an increase in unwanted facial hair while they are pregnant. This happens because of changes in hormone levels, especially testosterone, which naturally spikes as the pregnancy moves forward. 

The researchers examined 115 pregnant women, alongside another large group of women with a hormone condition. They measured testosterone levels in the blood, which helped them confirm that hormone levels steadily increased throughout the pregnancies. Along with this spike, women also experienced a clear rise in dark, coarse hair growth. The researchers found out that new hair most commonly appeared on the upper lip, along with the lower back, the lower stomach, and the thighs.

Since the upper lip is a major facial area affected, unwanted facial hair is a very common pregnancy symptom. Based on these findings, the study created a much simpler tool for doctors to use. Instead of checking the whole body, doctors only need to examine these four specific areas to accurately diagnose excessive hair growth in pregnant women. This new four-step checklist proved to be highly accurate in identifying women who were dealing with this hormonal side effect. 

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Are Cosmetic Hair Removal Procedures Safe During Pregnancy?

A 2017 study, published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, examined whether cosmetic hair removal procedures are safe during pregnancy. A comprehensive medical review examined different dermatological treatments to understand which options pose a risk to expecting mothers. 

The researchers discovered that there is a significant lack of safety data regarding permanent hair removal methods, such as laser therapy and electrolysis. This is because the potential impact of these powerful light and heat treatments on a developing baby is completely unknown. Therefore, medical experts strongly advise against them. Moreover, the dramatic hormonal shifts that occur during pregnancy can actually make these permanent treatments far less effective than usual. 

The study added that expecting mothers can naturally develop heightened skin sensitivity during this time. This greatly raises the risk of burns, scarring, or severe irritation from lasers. Therefore, the study strictly recommends pausing all permanent hair removal sessions until after childbirth, when hormones and skin have stabilised. 

Instead, the study encourages women to rely on simple, temporary hair removal methods to manage unwanted hair growth. Traditional techniques such as shaving, threading, and waxing are completely safe because they physically remove hair without impacting the deeper skin layers or the bloodstream. While topical hair removal creams are also usually safe, doctors suggest doing a small patch of skin first to ensure no allergic reactions take place during this sensitive time. 

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How To Deal With Unwanted Facial Hair During Pregnancy?

Dr Kiran says that if one is looking for ways of dealing with the issue while being pregnant, it is acceptable to utilise methods such as plucking, waxing, shaving, or using a facial razor. 

The expert warns, “Laser hair removal, electrolysis, or any hair removal products are not recommended to use unless suggested by one’s physician as there is insufficient information about their safety for use during pregnancy.” “In case of rapid growth, thick facial hair or any other symptoms including severe acne, deepened voice and unusual swellings, a gynaecologist should be consulted. These symptoms can be indications of hormonal imbalance. The good news is that for most women who have increased facial hair during pregnancy, the problem usually clears on its own after pregnancy,” concludes Dr Kiran.

ALSO READ- Pregnancy and Blurry Vision: Is It Normal? Doctor Explains Causes and Tips To Manage

Conclusion

Experiencing unwanted facial hair during pregnancy is a normal symptom, which is caused by natural hormonal fluctuations, particularly a spike in oestrogen and androgens. While permanent cosmetic procedures such as laser therapy lack safety data and should be avoided, pregnant women can safely manage this growth using temporary methods such as shaving, threading, plucking, or waxing. But the good news is that this excess hair typically resolves on its own a few months after childbirth. However, you should consult your gynaecologist if the growth is exceptionally rapid or accompanied by other unusual symptoms.