Is Skin Rejuvenation Safe During Pregnancy?

While many women use skin rejuvenation treatments such as dermal fillers to maintain a youthful appearance, there are some situations where it might not be safe for them to use fillers or chemical peels. Here are some of the reasons it is best not to have some types of skin rejuvenation during pregnancy:

• When it comes to Botox, there is a rare chance that the substance contained in Botox can get into the bloodstream. While the chances are small, there is still a chance it could happen so it’s best not to put the baby at risk for any complications or side effects. Studies about the effects of Botox on pregnant patients are still being conducted but women should be cautious until any final results are available.
• Juvederm is composed of hyaluronic acid which is a substance that occurs naturally in the body. Some pregnant patients are interested in having Juvederm since it helps the skin retain moisture and dry skin is a rather common issue among pregnant women. Does this mean that Juvederm is safe to use during pregnancy? The answer to that question is a firm “maybe.” Since hyaluronic acid has a large molecular size, it is not absorbed into the bloodstream and this means it is not likely to reach the baby. Much like Botox, studies are still being conducted about the use of Juvederm during pregnancy. It is probably better to be safe than sorry and patients should wait until their pregnancy is over before resuming treatments.
• Chemical peels are also not recommended during pregnancy. The chemicals used in the peels have not been proven to be safe for babies. A chemical peel during pregnancy can darken pigmentation. In fact, changes in skin pigmentation are common during pregnancy so using a chemical peel for this problem is more than likely a temporary fix since the pigmentation issues will likely happen again. Since the skin experiences a lot of hormonal changes during pregnancy, women will want to be careful and not have any treatments that can harm their sensitive skin.

Patients who have any questions about injectable treatments and chemical peels during their pregnancy should consult with a board-certified physician. The physician can discuss the treatments with patients and let them know what is safe for the health of the baby. An experienced physician can also recommend treatments that are safe for both the infant and the skin of the mother.

-MA