16 Jun Dermal Fillers and Injectables During Pregnancy
Should you get injectables like Botox or dermal fillers while pregnant—or can you? It’s a common question at Parson Skin Center as expectant mothers are eager to make sure that their baby is safe. Injectables and dermal fillers are not approved by the FDA for pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, if you got Botox or dermal fillers early in your first trimester before you knew you were pregnant or about the lack of FDA approval, don’t worry. It’s very unlikely that those cosmetic treatments will affect you or your baby in any way.
Botox and Dermal Filler Basics
Botox and injectables like it, such as Dysport, use a neurotoxin to “freeze” specific muscles for up to six months. The most common injection sites are around the eyes and between the brows. Botox is also popular for its off-label uses, such as treating migraines or excessive sweating. Regular use of Botox can train muscles to not be so strong, which makes it a popular option as a preventative treatment.
Dermal fillers are usually comprised of hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body. There are many types of dermal fillers, each designed for specific areas and to last different lengths of time. You can use dermal fillers virtually anywhere on the face, from the lips to the cheeks and below the eyes to the tops of the hands. Most dermal fillers last from 6 – 12 months, but dissolving your filler before that time is also an option.
Why Can’t I Get Them During Pregnancy?
The reason pregnant and breastfeeding women shouldn’t get Botox or fillers (according to the FDA) is because of their fluctuating pregnancy hormones. It can cause issues with blood flow as well as swelling. In other words, it might cause issues for the mother—not the baby. Plus, many pregnant women already have enlarged lips, so opting for dermal fillers usually isn’t a good idea, especially if you prefer fillers that are long-lasting.
Pregnancy and being post-partum can also change a woman’s skin, making injectables and fillers liable to cause unexpected results. However, little research has been conducted on the effects and safety of injectables and fillers for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Because of this lack of information, the FDA and many doctors advise pregnant women to wait until they’ve finished breastfeeding (if they plan to) before getting injectables or fillers.
What to Do Instead
It’s understandable that you want to pamper yourself during pregnancy or as a new mother. This is especially true if you were getting injections or fillers regularly prior to your pregnancy. Even though there’s no evidence that the neurotoxins in injectables like Botox or the hyaluronic acid in fillers circulate through the body, a lot of mothers like to play it safe. So, what can you do instead?
There are plenty of ways to pamper yourself during pregnancy or while breastfeeding that have shown to have zero risks for babies or breastfeeding children. One of the most popular is microneedling. This procedure uses the healing powers of the body to help skin look more supple, younger, and brighter. Combine microneedling with a facial for optimal results, and work with an aesthetician to treat the most stubborn of “pregnancy skin” from breakouts to melasma.
Botox and Dermal Fillers are Waiting for You
It’s okay if you wait a bit to get Botox, dermal fillers, or your maintenance treatments. The great benefit of these treatments is that their results are quick. If you’re familiar with Botox, you know that full results reveal themselves in about one week. Dermal fillers with hyaluronic acid offer results that are immediate (though swelling can occur for about two days after the treatment). Consider injectables and dermal fillers as a treat in the future after your baby has arrived or when you’ve finished breastfeeding.
Find out more about all of the treatments available at Parson Skin Center, including Botox, dermal fillers, and other treatments that are FDA approved for moms to be. Get in touch with Parson Skin Center today by calling (480) 282-8386.