Did IPL Hair Removal Harm my Baby at 4 Days Post Conception?

I had an IPL laser hair removal done on the bikini line about 4-5 days post conception. Did it harm the baby? How far does the laser penetrate? I am 5 weeks pregnant right now and am worried it might have harmed the baby. I would greatly appreciate a medical opinion.

Tags:

Comment on this

3 Doctor Answers | Asked by ritaschex

Doctor Answers (3)
Community Comments (1)

IPL hair removal and baby

IPL hair removal done soon after conception would not have harmed the baby. IPL penetrates millimetres into the skin and would not have reached the baby, so relax and enjoy your pregnancy. ~Dr. Benjamin Barankin, Toronto Dermatology Centre.

Benjamin Barankin, MD

10 reviews

Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon

Laser Hair Removal & Pregnancy

Hi Rita. Not to worry. The light created within a laser (or IPL) for hair removal is generated by something called a "non-mutagenic" reaction. This means it is not cancer causing and therefore will not harm your baby. While we do not treat pregnant or lactating women for liability reasons, we have had nurses that are pregnant use the machines during their pregnancy without any issues.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

4 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Did IPL Hair Removal Harm my Baby at 4 Days Post Conception

We don't test lasers or IPL or injectables on women who are pregnant, but I can say this: I've treated thousands of patients with IPL and lasers, and a handful of them (including two of my technicians) have conceived somewhere during the treatment cycle. None of them had any issues. The lasers don't penetrate into the skin deeply enough to touch or affect a fetus, but the issue lies just in that we don't do tests on pregnant women. I know that you and your baby are just fine. Discontinue... more

Comments (1)

ritaschex 5 Oct 2012

Thank you for t your responses. I had a vaginal ultrasound done yesterday at 5 weeks and 2 days and the doctor is concerned about the blood collection around the gestational sac. I believe it's called subchronic hematoma, which cause a miscarriage. I can't help but assume the laser scarred a tissue down there in the uterus, which may have caused this implantation problem.

Ask a Question