Waxing is considered safe throughout pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists lists waxing, along with tweezing and shaving, as a safe method for removing unwanted hair while pregnant. That said, pregnancy changes your skin in ways that make waxing more uncomfortable and slightly more prone to side effects, so a few precautions are worth knowing about.
Why Pregnancy Makes Waxing Feel Different
Your body increases its blood volume by nearly 50 percent during pregnancy, and hormonal shifts make skin more reactive overall. The practical result: waxing hurts more than it used to. Skin that was barely bothered by a bikini wax before pregnancy can become noticeably more sensitive, especially in the second and third trimesters when hormone levels peak.
Beyond pain, the increased blood flow and swelling mean your skin is more likely to react after a wax. Folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles that look like small red bumps), ingrown hairs, and minor acne breakouts are all more common during pregnancy waxing sessions. Broken skin from waxing also carries a small chance of local infection, though these cases are typically mild and treatable with topical antibiotics.
Skin Conditions to Watch For
Certain areas of your skin should not be waxed at all, pregnant or not. Avoid waxing over open cuts, varicose veins, rashes, moles, pimples, warts, or scar tissue. Pregnancy makes varicose veins more common, particularly on the legs and vulva, so check the area before booking an appointment.
If you’ve developed melasma, the patchy skin darkening that affects many pregnant people (sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy”), be especially cautious. Waxing can aggravate melasma and worsen the discoloration. This is particularly relevant for facial waxing of the upper lip or eyebrows. If you notice darkened patches on your face, consider switching to tweezing or threading in those areas until the melasma resolves.
Trimester-by-Trimester Considerations
In the first trimester, waxing feels about the same as it did before pregnancy for most people. Skin sensitivity increases gradually, so this is often the easiest time if you want to establish a routine.
By the second trimester, you’ll likely notice more discomfort during sessions. Hair may also grow faster and thicker due to hormonal changes, which is often what prompts pregnant people to seek out waxing in the first place.
The third trimester brings a logistical challenge on top of the sensitivity issue. Lying flat on your back for more than a few minutes can compress a major blood vessel (the vena cava), leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. An experienced esthetician will use pillows and wedges to prop you into a side-lying or reclined position and may ask you to shift your legs or hips throughout the session. If you’re getting a Brazilian wax, expect modified positioning and a bit more time spent adjusting. Let your esthetician know how far along you are when you book so they can plan accordingly.
Reducing Discomfort and Side Effects
The wax temperature matters more during pregnancy because your skin burns more easily when it’s already sensitized. A good esthetician will test the wax on a small area first. If you’re waxing at home, err on the side of a lower temperature and always test on your inner wrist before applying to larger areas.
For pain management, topical lidocaine cream is considered safe during pregnancy, according to the NHS. Applying a numbing cream about 30 minutes before your appointment can take the edge off, especially for sensitive areas like the bikini line. If you’ve never used a numbing product before, test a small patch first to make sure your skin doesn’t react.
A few other ways to minimize irritation:
- Time your appointment well. Skin tends to be least sensitive in the days after your period, though cycle tracking becomes less relevant later in pregnancy.
- Stay hydrated. Well-hydrated skin is more elastic and less prone to tearing or excessive redness.
- Skip retinoids and exfoliating acids. These products thin the skin and increase the chance of tearing or burns. Most pregnant people have already stopped using retinoids, but if you’re using any exfoliating product on the area, pause it for a few days before waxing.
- Wear loose clothing afterward. Tight fabric against freshly waxed skin increases the chance of ingrown hairs and irritation.
Brazilian Waxing During Pregnancy
Brazilian waxes are the most common reason pregnant people search for waxing safety information, often because they’re preparing for labor and can no longer see or reach the area themselves. A Brazilian wax is just as safe as any other type of waxing during pregnancy. The vulvar area does have more blood flow during pregnancy, which means more swelling, more sensitivity, and a higher chance of temporary bruising or redness compared to a pre-pregnancy session.
If you’ve never had a Brazilian wax before, pregnancy is not the ideal time to start. The first session is always the most painful because the hair is thicker and more firmly rooted. Combined with pregnancy-related skin sensitivity, a first-time Brazilian in the third trimester can be significantly more uncomfortable than expected. If you’re set on trying it, the second trimester is a better time to start so your body can adjust before sensitivity peaks.
For those who regularly got Brazilians before pregnancy, the process is the same, just with extra positioning support and a bit more tenderness. Most estheticians who work with pregnant clients are comfortable making adjustments, but it’s worth confirming when you call that they have experience with prenatal waxing.