Waxing During Pregnancy: What to Know for Your Clients

Pregnancy changes virtually everything about a woman’s relationship with her body. This includes her routines and methods of self-care. 

For some women who have made waxing part of their routine, once those two lines show up, it becomes genuinely questionable. 

Is it safe? Should I avoid it? Is it going to be more painful? For others, it's non-negotiable.

The short answer? Generally speaking, waxing is safe for the duration of pregnancy (so long as you have clearance from a doctor and the proper waxing liability insurance). 

However, there are very real physiological changes that need to be talked about and considered before your clients book that waxing appointment. We’ll examine the pros/cons and offer guidance for maintaining a client’s waxing schedule throughout their pregnancy. 

As a note, this is not meant as medical advice, but general information. Please consult with a medical professional about any specific questions you may have. 

The Pros and Cons of Waxing While Pregnant: What to Know 

The Benefits of Waxing During Pregnancy 

First up, let’s talk about the benefits of continuing a waxing schedule throughout a client’s pregnancy. Maintaining convenience during a season of change. There’s no doubt that pregnancy is a season of profound change for a woman’s body. 

Convenience & Safety 

Waxing during this season may present a level of convenience as regular daily tasks, specifically self-grooming, become more difficult. 

As the belly grows, shaving one’s bikini area and/or legs presents not only more challenges, but a significant safety hazard from the awkward bending and slip factor in the shower. Waxing allows for that risk to be mitigated as well as provide longer-lasting results. Due to the fact that waxing removes hair from the root, rather than a simple blunt cut at the surface, it allows for smooth results lasting 3-6 weeks. 

For a woman juggling the demands of life, oftentimes work, family, doctor’s appointments, and the seemingly never-ending fatigue of simply being pregnant, waxing can provide a welcome respite on grooming frequency. 

A Sense of Normalcy Amidst Change 

There’s also an important sense of normalcy. Especially for those already accustomed to waxing, maintaining their regular waxing can feel like a small, grounding moment of self-care amidst so much physical and emotional change. 

Others have stated they will never go back to shaving and have even scheduled wax appointments depending on delivery time frame because ‘they will NOT be shaved if they have to convert to C-section’. 

For those looking for a break from the daily shaving ritual, especially as it gets more difficult, waxing can be a moment of relief that brings them back to their body. 

Labor & Delivery Preparation 

Preparing for labor and delivery is an important factor, too. Women can be self-conscious – this is a fact. Especially about the area down there. The thought of so many individuals having a front-row seat is not only intimidating, but can bring about feelings of wanting to look ‘their best’. 

The uncertain nature of delivery makes women want something that they can be sure of. Not knowing what the recovery process will look like encourages some women to consider waxing, as the longer-lasting results and more comfortable regrowth mean less thought during the initial postpartum phase.

The Cons of Waxing During Pregnancy 

Now for the opposing side to waxing throughout pregnancy. There are very real ‘side effects’ of waxing while pregnant, even if your clients have maintained a regular wax routine prior to pregnancy. 

There is a significant increase in hormones during pregnancy, specifically estrogen and progesterone. The influx of these two hormones can increase skin sensitivity and reactivity. This can cause women, even if they’ve been waxing, to report an increase in pain, as skin can be more prone to tenderness, redness and bruising. 

Risks Can Be Higher 

The risk of adverse skin reactions is undeniable. At the end of the day, regardless of if it’s your first wax or 75th, during pregnancy, all bets are off. Common pregnancy conditions like PUPPP (a common skin rash), general dryness and stretching of the skin around the stomach and hip area can be reasons to avoid waxing. These can increase the likelihood of small tears, irritation or breakouts. 

Positioning Risks 

An additional potential risk is positioning. As pregnancy continues, laying flat is not only not recommended, but can be outright dangerous due to blood flow issues. Additionally, staying in the same position for ‘long’ periods of time may be more difficult. Some waxers are not equipped or prepared for the necessary accommodations a pregnant woman might require. 

Pain Tolerance & Heightened Emotions 

There’s no getting around the fact that women are more sensitive during pregnancy. Combined with the emotional component, many may find that they do not have the tolerance for waxing that they once had. Modifying the service, moving slower and providing modifications are necessary when waxing pregnant women. 

Numbing & Aftercare Product Risk 

Due to the limited amount of research, there is no way to guarantee the safety of numbing or aftercare products. 

Some clients may look toward numbing products to help endure the pain of the waxing service, but as these have mostly not been studied for use during pregnancy, they’re generally best avoided. 

Additionally, aftercare products also must be scrutinized. Many ingredients, including salicylic acid or tea tree oil, are generally not considered pregnancy-safe. Even if a product is labeled ‘pregnancy safe,’ because many women react differently, products must be considered with a higher level of caution, if not outright avoided. 

The Verdict? Here’s What Your Clients Can Do 

What can you do? First and foremost, if your clients have a high-risk pregnancy or any kind of skin condition, getting approval from their doctor should be the first step.

Secondly, knowing about the pregnancy is a must, so you can keep an eye out for any irregular skin reactions. Additionally, this will allow you to plan for different positioning and potentially adapt your technique if needed. 

Lastly, encouraging your clients to listen to their body and communicate their comfort level will make waxing during pregnancy more bearable. 

Waxing is generally a safe practice throughout pregnancy. While safe does not mean comfortable, nor does it mean similar to a pre-pregnancy experience, many women find that the cleanliness, hygiene, and self-care aspects are worth it. Maintaining open communication with your esthetician will ensure it goes as smoothly as possible. 

As always, it's important to make sure that if you're offering a waxing service like this, your beauty pro liability insurance has this covered under the umbrella of services you offer! 

Remember, this is not meant as medical advice, but general information. Please consult with a medical professional about any specific questions you may have. 

Thorough Consults Matter 

A thorough consultation and informed-consent process should cover medical conditions, allergies, medications, recent treatments, pregnancy or breastfeeding considerations, recent waxing or laser treatments, and previous reactions or skin sensitivities.

It's also essential to get a signed waxing consent form from your clients, indicating their understand the potential risks of waxing services and give their consent for the treatment.