Pregnancy means skin changes. For some women, that manifests as a beautiful glow. Others experience less appreciated skin changes like flaring acne, mask of pregnancy (melasma), and dryness.
If you used Botox® before pregnancy, you might be wondering if you can safely continue this treatment during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your skin bright and beautiful during this exciting time of your life.
Is Botox® Safe During Pregnancy?
Botox® is a safe and highly effective treatment for wrinkles and aging. It uses a compound known as botulinum toxin to relax muscles that cause wrinkles. While Botox® is a very safe treatment, generally, we do not recommend using it during pregnancy.
There is limited data and testing on the effects of Botox® during pregnancy. With so many unknowns about Botox®’s effects on a developing fetus, it is best to avoid this treatment until more information is available.
Is Botox® Safe While Breastfeeding?
When you’re breastfeeding, everything you consume, baby consumes. For this reason, many medications, including Botox®, are not recommended for use during breastfeeding.
Botox® remains in the body for a long time after treatment. This longevity is the reason that patients only receive Botox® injections every few months. Since Botox® remains in the body, it isn’t possible to “pump and dump” to receive treatment while breastfeeding.
Skin Rejuvenation Options for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
While many aesthetic treatments aren’t recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, patients do have treatment options. Come in and meet with Dr. Yegiyants, and we’ll create a customized plan to care for your skin throughout your pregnancy.
Potential treatment options may include:
- Customized Skin Care – Taking care of your skin is important during pregnancy. While many treatments are unavailable to pregnant women, good skincare is not. However, some of the products you’ve been using may have components in them that are unsafe during pregnancy. Come in and let us review your skincare products, helping you find options that will enhance your skin without harming your baby.
If you are pregnant, avoid all facial treatments that use chemicals, lasers, radiofrequency energy, and light. Many of these treatments have not been tested on a developing baby and may lead to unknown adverse effects during pregnancy. More options are available during breastfeeding, but we still must be careful to avoid using chemicals that can be transmitted to the baby through breastmilk.
Bottom line, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, let us know– we’ll help you find safe solutions for caring for your skin.
We are here to help you look and feel your best at every stage of your life, including pregnancy and breastfeeding. Call our office at (805) 682-1731 to schedule an appointment with triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sara Yegiyants.