Pregnancy is both an exciting and emotional period as expectant mothers prepare themselves physically and mentally for the birth of their baby. Most women want to look and feel their best during this time, but they also don’t want to jeopardize the health of their growing babies. Some women undergo regular aesthetic treatments such as Laser Hair Removal before pregnancy and want to know which procedures they can safely continue.
Therefore, practitioners need to know which procedures they can safely perform and what kind of advice to give to their pregnant patients. Not surprisingly, the topic of aesthetic treatments during pregnancy is widely debated among practitioners. Research findings suggest that some components and procedures may be potentially safe when treating pregnant women, but because supporting studies are limited, it remains an open-ended issue. It is clear that the health of the growing baby should be paramount, and risks should be weighed against benefits.
The short answer is: it generally depends on the patient and the practitioner. Due to ethical challenges in conducting research on pregnant women, there is not much research on how safe or unsafe common procedures are for an expectant mother and/or fetus. Similarly, there is a lack of data for postpartum breastfeeding women. Research gaps prevent pregnant women from reaching a clear conclusion about undergoing aesthetic procedures. However, there are aesthetic treatments that are not recommended.
If you are pregnant, the risks of plastic surgery are similar to other surgical procedures, but pregnancy can reduce immune system function, potentially increasing the risk of infection after surgery. There may also be concerns regarding anesthesia, fetal monitoring, and postoperative medications to prevent infection and alleviate pain. Plastic surgery is not recommended during pregnancy. Plastic surgeons not only refuse to operate on pregnant patients, but hospitals also perform pregnancy tests on female patients before surgery, so there is no way to hide pregnancy from the doctor. If you have medical issues requiring aesthetic surgery, you should discuss the best management during your pregnancy with your obstetrician.
Not Recommended Aesthetic Treatments for Pregnant Women: Laser, HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) for skin rejuvenation, Botulinum toxin injections, Fillers, Oral medications, etc. In general, receiving laser treatments or other energy-based treatments such as HIFU or radiofrequency skin tightening during pregnancy is not advised.
The reason for this is the lack of information about their effects on the fetus. Similarly, Botulinum toxin injections and fillers should also be avoided for the same reason. Antibiotics and oral acne medications like isotretinoin (Accutane) should not be used during pregnancy as they can pass through the bloodstream to the developing baby and cause fetal malformations. Creams and lotions containing retinol or its derivatives should also be avoided.
Aesthetic Treatment Suitable for Pregnant Women: Tropical Skin Care and Medical Facial Treatment
Medical facial treatment is recommended – it helps cleanse, soothe, and moisturize sensitive skin due to hormonal changes. A good facial treatment can also help a pregnant woman relieve stress!
