“I’m supposed to be getting dermal fillers tomorrow, is it still safe to have this procedure!?” Erin had made this appointment with her dermatologist weeks ago, and while Erin was so excited today to find out she was pregnant, she wasn’t sure if fillers were still a good idea. Hoping for smoother skin and less noticeable wrinkles, they called us for guidance. Erin isn’t the only one with questions – MotherToBaby’s information specialists are often asked about cosmetic procedures during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Some cosmetic procedures require surgery. these are a type of plastic surgery. Examples include liposuction, breast augmentation and rhinoplasty (nose job). These types of cosmetic procedures should be avoided during pregnancy. But what about less invasive procedures? Let’s look at some common questions about treatments:
Botox
Botox is an injectable form of botulinum toxin. When used cosmetically, Botox is usually injected into the face or neck to help smooth wrinkles or fine lines in the skin by temporarily paralyzing or relaxing the muscles. Botox is expected to stay in the area being administered and not enter the bloodstream. Because of this, it is unlikely to enter breast milk or cross the placenta where it could reach a developing baby. However, it is important to note that Botox has not been specifically studied for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There is also a risk of infection at the injection site and the possibility of the toxin spreading beyond the area where it was administered. Read more about Botox here:
Permanent Makeup & Microblading
Semi-permanent makeup is achieved by tattooing areas of the face to emphasize natural features and usually lasts for a few years before fading. This can include eye liner, lips or eyebrows. Microblading is another form of tattooing used on the eyebrows. When it comes to the ink used in semi-permanent makeup, it’s unclear how much pigment in the ink can enter the bloodstream, cross the placenta, or how much can reach the baby. For people who are breastfeeding, it’s also unclear how much of the dye can pass into breast milk. This makes it difficult to know whether the pigment itself may cause a hazard. We know that with any tattoo, there is a chance of contamination if the equipment is not properly sterilized. There may be a risk of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and other infections such as staph. There is also a chance of infection during the healing process. If you choose to get semi-permanent makeup while pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure you go somewhere that practices good hygiene. Also, be sure to contact your healthcare provider if the tattooed area appears to be not healing properly.
Teeth whitening
Many people are also interested in lightening their pearly whites. Some common teeth whitening products include whitening strips, whitening toothpastes, at-home blue light (LED) therapy, and professional whitening procedures administered by a dentist or dental hygienist. For the most part, these products are not expected to increase risks to a pregnancy or a nursing baby. For more details on specific ingredients in teeth whitening products, see:
Chemical Peels
There are a few different types of cosmetic chemical peels that are used to treat uneven skin tones, wrinkles, acne scars or sun damage by applying a product to the skin (topically) that then removes some of the top layers of skin. This usually involves a type of acid – it can be a combination of hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid or lactic acid and other ingredients. Light chemical peeling involves the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). Deep chemical peels can penetrate a little deeper into the layers of your skin. Because the chemicals in each peel can vary, it may be a good idea to ask for an ingredient list ahead of time. A MotherToBaby expert can talk with you about the active ingredients in the specific chemical peel you’re considering. Read more about your skin and skin care here:
Lip Fillers & Dermal Fillers
Lip and dermal (or facial) fillers are injectable substances used to fill in lines and wrinkles or add volume to areas on the face or lips. There are currently four types of fillers approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common. Hyaluronic acid, along with calcium hydroxylapatite and polylactic acid fillers are considered temporary – these will eventually break down and be absorbed by the body. Polymethyl methacrylate is not absorbed by the body – this filler consists of small round plastic beads suspended in collagen. So what do we know about using fillers during pregnancy or breastfeeding? The answer is not much. There is limited research on these substances when given during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so it may be best to hold off on any injections until later. There is also a potential risk of infection at the injection site. The FDA advises anyone interested in fillers to obtain them from a licensed health care provider and discuss the risks and benefits with them before the procedure.
So what did Erin do for their dermal filler appointment?
When it comes to cosmetic procedures while pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s important to consider what is known about a procedure and weigh any potential risks. In Erin’s case, they decided it would be best to wait to reschedule their next dermal filler appointment until after the birth of their child. They ended our call by telling me, “I think it will give me more peace of mind to cancel my appointment and wait until my pregnancy now that I know there isn’t a lot of research. In the meantime, I will talk to my dermatologist about other skin care options.”
Do you have a question about a cosmetic procedure during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Talk to a MotherToBaby specialist via phone, text, chat or email.
