Is It Safe To Use Depilatory Cream Nair During Pregnancy?

When used carefully and in small amounts, Nair could be a safe hair-removal option.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos, MD Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-BanosMD Follow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Children and Adolescent GynecologyExperience: 11 years
Written by , M.Tech (Biotechnology) Anshuman Mohapatra M.Tech (Biotechnology) Follow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Twitter Specialty: Pregnancy and HealthExperience: 6 years
Edited by , BSc Rebecca Malachi BSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
Fact-checked by , M.Pharm, PhD Dr. Joyani Das M.Pharm, PhD Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pharma, Health and WellnessExperience: 3.5 years
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A woman is using depilatory cream for her legs during pregnancy

Image: Shutterstock

Can you use Nair while pregnant? Active hormones in pregnancy can cause an increase in unwanted hair growth. Shaving or plucking them can give you breakouts. Skin is also extra sensitive to many products during pregnancy. You may ask dermatologists before using prenatal hair removal products such as Nair during pregnancy. They may help you to choose suitable products for your skin type.

Before visiting the doctor, you may read on to know if it is safe to use depilatory creams such as Nair during pregnancy and how often you could use hair removal products.

In This Article

A Closer Look – Is Nair Safe During Pregnancy?

Nair is a hair removing topical agent applied to the skin to get rid of unwanted hair. Nair claims that their product is safe during pregnancy when all the instructions are followed. Further, no scientific evidence states that hair removal during pregnancy could harm maternal health or fetal development (2). But knowing certain things about the products will help you avoid any adverse effects.

  • The mild chemicals that mix with the bloodstream of the would-be mother do not affect the unborn in any way.
  • However, some consider it best to avoid any sorts of chemicals during pregnancy and rather find it convenient to use an epilator or an electric shaver.

    Some find it convenient to use an epilator instead of chemicals for hair removal

    Image: Shutterstock

  • Also, women with sensitive skin or allergies often find it difficult to use Nair in the course of pregnancy.

protip_icon Quick fact
Hair removal creams contain chemicals. However, they may not cause significant issues when lower concentrations are applied to the skin for shorter durations (6).

Doctor’s Advice:

Consultations with your doctor for proper prenatal care are a wise idea before you start using any chemicals.

  • Health care professionals generally recommend avoiding any sorts of chemicals in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is the phase when your baby is highly susceptible to health risks (3).

An anonymous mother of three shares on her blog the products she refrained from using during her pregnancy based on her doctor’s recommendations, “My doctor advised me to avoid permanent and semi-permanent hair removal procedures like laser treatments and electrolysis since there is no evidence proving that these are safe during pregnancy. I wasn’t too worried because I don’t use either of those methods for hair removal. She also mentioned that just to be cautious, I should avoid or limit the use of hair removal creams like Nair (ⅰ).”

  • If you are extra cautious, you may avoid using such products until you reach the second or the third trimester. This is the time when the risk factors have reduced significantly.
  • Nair has been recommended by experts such as Christina Chambers for the shortest possible time, as this ensures the chemicals get very little time to be absorbed by the blood stream.

Important Considerations:

Women generally get highly sensitive to smells during pregnancy. Look for the following symptoms that and consider them seriously:

  • Smell of beauty products such as Nair may appear strong and result in headaches and nausea.
  • Your breasts become very sensitive during pregnancy. The area around the breasts gets highly sensitive. In case of any discomfort or allergies, you must discontinue its use and inform your doctor (4).
  • If you opt for professional services in a spa or salon, you must check with the services and ensure they are trained to work with the expecting mothers.

    Ensure to get trained professionals to work with the expecting mothers

    Image: Shutterstock

  • If you choose to avoid chemicals, shaving, tweezing and waxing are some good options.
  • Hair removal methods such as laser hair removal or electrolysis are best avoided during pregnancy.
protip_icon Point to consider
Do patch tests each time before using Nair. It is because the body’s chemistry can change, and you might have a reaction even if you didn’t have it before (7).

Benefits Of Nair During Pregnancy

Many find beauty products such as Nair convenient and an easy and cheap process of removing hair. Hair removal products seem much easier and hassle-free than shaving, waxing, and epilation processes during pregnancy. Women using Nair find hair growth less frequent which frees them from shaving frequently. Shaving when pregnant may also seem difficult after some months. However, Nair is easier to use.

Alert!

Even though Nair has been considered by most of the manufacturers and experts as safe during pregnancy, there has not been extensive research on the subject.

  • Read the instructions well and stop using the product immediately in case of skin irritations or rashes.
  • You must make it a point to check with your healthcare provider. In case you are unsure about its use, it is better to avoid it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Nair cause complications during delivery?

There is no evidence to suggest that Nair causes complications during delivery. However, it is recommended to avoid using hair removal products, including Nair, in the genital area in the last few weeks of pregnancy to reduce exposure to chemicals.

2. Can Nair be used during high-risk pregnancies?

It is recommended to avoid using Nair during high-risk pregnancies, such as those with complications or underlying medical conditions. It is best to consult a healthcare provider before using any other hair removal products during pregnancy.

3. Can Nair be used if I have a history of miscarriage?

There is no evidence to suggest that Nair increases the risk of miscarriage. However, it is recommended to avoid using Nair or any other hair removal products in the first trimester of pregnancy when the risk of miscarriage is highest.

4. Can I use Nair in your pubic area while pregnant?

According to NCT, pregnant women can use hair removal creams to remove hair (5). So far, no studies show that using Nair in the pubic area causes issues in pregnant women. Still, you can speak to your doctor and clear your doubts about removing hair in the pubic area (or bikini line).

5. What can I use instead of Nair for hair removal?

Electric trimmers, waxes, and epilators are a few safe ways you can remove hair during pregnancy. You can discuss the pros and cons of these hair removal methods with your doctor and pick a convenient and most suitable method for yourself.

It is normal to be skeptical about things you put on your body during pregnancy since the skin may be more sensitive than usual. So do not worry too much and go ahead and pamper yourself to enhance that pregnancy glow, but ensure to consult your doctor before using any product during pregnancy and be careful of adverse reactions. Although considered safe, you may use Nair during pregnancy after going through the instructions. If you have any doubts, you may immediately switch to other shaving alternatives to ensure safe maternity care.

Infographic: Using Depilatory Cream Nair During Pregnancy

Hair-removal chemicals such as Nair may seem convenient, but they also come with certain risks. Therefore, it is best to seek medical advice before using these products and make safe choices to protect yourself and your baby. The infographic below highlights crucial points to note before using Nair depilatory cream during pregnancy.

tips on using depilatory cream nair in pregnancy (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Nair is a topical hair removal cream, but it’s not well-known if it’s safe to use during pregnancy.
  • Medical professionals usually suggest avoiding the use of chemicals in the early stages of pregnancy.
  • The smell of the cream may cause nausea and headaches, so it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider if there’s any sensitivity.
  • Shaving, tweezing, or waxing are generally considered safer alternatives for hair removal during pregnancy.

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

ⅰ. The big fat list of pregnancy no-nos: Beauty edition.
https://babyfromabove.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-big-fat-list-of-pregnancy-no-nos.html

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Pregnancy and Skin Changes
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid=7
  2. A review of the safety of cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and lactation
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647517300059#!
  3. Laboratory Safety and Health During Pregnancy
    https://www.bsu.edu/-/media/www/departmentalcontent/riskmanagement/ehs/laboratory%20inspection%20references/pregnancy%20and%20laboratory%20work%20fact%20sheet%20bsu.pdf?la=en&hash=9E773F0F3185F53FA0DC31A20455DE8060D2C7C6
  4. Breast Changes During Pregnancy
    https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/changes-in-your-body/breast-changes-during-pregnancy/
  5. Which beauty treatments are safe during pregnancy?
    https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/social-life/which-beauty-treatments-are-safe-during-pregnancy
  6. Skin Care, Hair Care and Cosmetic Treatments in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.
    https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/groups/Royal_Hospital_for_Women/Mothersafe/documents/skinhaircareandcosmetictreatmentsapril2021.pdf
  7. Nair Hair Remover
    https://www.naircare.ca/en/faq
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Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos
Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-BanosMD
Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos is a board-licensed Ob/Gyn in Mexico, specializing in Adolescent Gynecology. She is also trained in Gynecological Endocrinology, granted by AMEGIN (Gynecological Endocrinology Mexican Association).

Read full bio of Dr. Karla S. Sanchez-Banos
Anshuman Mohapatra
Anshuman MohapatraM.Tech (Biotechnology)
Anshuman Mohapatra is a biotechnology scientist with more than six years of research experience in analytical chemistry and biotechnology. He has submitted his PhD thesis at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) and served as a research fellow (JRF/SRF) during his PhD tenure.

Read full bio of Anshuman Mohapatra
Rebecca Malachi
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi
Dr. Joyani Das
Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD
Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das