Finding you have a hairy belly during pregnancy is nothing to worry about. The most important thing to take on board about tummy hair during pregnancy is that it is perfectly normal and it doesn't indicate anything wrong. Read this Venus guide into pre-natal belly hair, what it means for women who develop it and what you can do to get rid of it - if you want to, that is!
What Does Belly Hair In Pregnancy Mean?
Having a hairy belly during pregnancy doesn't indicate anything on its own. It is quite common to find you grow more hair or hair in places you previously didn't have much while pregnant. Noticing some new belly hair growth is not a cause for concern and won't mean that either you or the baby require medical attention. In short, it is a natural part of pregnancy that many – but not all – women experience. So, relax, it really isn't anything unusual!
What Causes Hair Growth on the Stomach During Pregnancy?
The hormonal changes that women go through during pregnancy often impact on hair growth. Hair all over the body, including your scalp, can undergo some remarkable new growth while you're pregnant. Because more oestrogen is typically produced during pregnancy, hair follicles can more readily go into their initial growth phase, known as anagen. Consequently, you can notice more or thicker hair than before on body parts like the belly, for example. Usually, normal hair growth cycles return after the baby is born when both oestrogen and progesterone levels return to something closer to their normal state.
Methods For Removing Belly Hair During Pregnancy
Let's run through the various methods for belly hair removal during pregnancy.
1. Shaving
The simplest way of dealing with a hairy belly during pregnancy is to shave it off. Use a Venus ComfortGlide Sensitive razor or a similar product that helps to protect you from accidental nicks when you shave off belly hair. Read our guide about what to do when you shave during pregnancy for lots more advice and guidance.
2. Trimming
Using a trimmer for hair removal during pregnancy will make sense to a lot of women since, like shaving, it won't get under your skin and pull out hairs from their roots. With trimming, you won't get quite as smooth a result as you would with shaving belly hair, of course. This method of pregnancy hair removal has the advantage of being relatively quick. After all, being a mum-to-be can be quite time-consuming!
3. Waxing
Waxing is safe for removing hair on your stomach during pregnancy. However, it may be that your skin feels especially sensitive, especially to hot wax. Do a patch test away from your belly to see how you feel about it or simply stick to another hair removal option. For further guidance on whether shaving or waxing is right for you, check out the handy Venus guide on the subject.
4. Sugaring
Consider whether shaving or sugaring is right for you in the same way you might weigh up the relative merits of waxing your belly hair rather than shaving it. Remember that sugaring involves working against the grain of hair follicles. This can mean that it leads to even more sensitivity than waxing so exercise your best judgement and only proceed after a patch test.
Hair Removal Methods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Even if you already know how to shave while pregnant, you may want to consider other hair removal options. When pregnant, your choices are more limited, however. Therefore, you should rule out the following methods for dealing with a hairy belly during pregnancy.
Hair Removal Creams
Some hair removal creams may be safe to use during pregnancy but there is scant scientific research into them as a whole or individual products. Although some medical professionals may not foresee a problem, it is often best to err on the side of caution and avoid hair removal creams until your pregnancy has come to an end. It's better to be safe than sorry, after all!
Depilatory Creams
It is worth noting that depilatory creams are just another term for hair removal creams. Consequently, the same advice applies because there is insufficient evidence to say for sure whether they're safe as a method for hair removal during pregnancy.
Laser Treatments
Laser hair removal while pregnant is not a subject that has undergone much research. There is nothing to suggest it is either safe or unsafe during pregnancy. However, since there are no established facts, it would be wise to avoid it for belly hair removal during pregnancy.
FAQs
What are some common myths about having a hairy belly during pregnancy?
Firstly, having a hairy belly during pregnancy isn't something that affects every mother-to-be. That said, it is quite natural and you shouldn't be alarmed at it. Some people worry unduly that it is a sign of a condition that may affect the mother or the baby. This simply isn't the case. As long as you know how to shave while pregnant – which is much the same as shaving at any other time – you can deal with it effectively.
Is waxing or shaving better during pregnancy?
Although waxing is a safe method of hair removal during pregnancy, you may find that you feel a bit more sensitive at this time. Therefore, to deal with an unwanted hairy belly during pregnancy, it may be preferable to opt for a pain-free alternative like shaving. In the end, the decision is yours, though!
Which product is safe to use during pregnancy?
Use a tried-and-tested razor such as the Venus ComfortGlide Sugarberry Razor for your pregnancy hair removal needs. This particular model comes with Olay moisture bars with vitamin E to ensure your comfort while shaving. What's more, the clever design of its metal handle will provide you with an optimal hold and grip, ideal for removing unwanted hair on your stomach during pregnancy when reaching every angle might be a bit more of an issue than it usually would.
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