Botox is an injectable cosmetic treatment that’s extremely popular with people looking to achieve smoother, more youthful-looking facial skin. Although its active ingredient is a neurotoxin, Botox is generally a safe treatment that typically causes only minor side effects. However, if you’re currently pregnant, you may want to hold off on undergoing this treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. Here, we’ll take a look at why Botox typically isn’t the best choice while you’re carrying a child.
How Does Botox Work?
Part of the reason why women are hesitant to get Botox while pregnant is that it uses a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin type A as its active ingredient. And naturally, new mothers tend to get nervous when it comes to anything labeled as a “toxin” entering their body while they’re carrying a child. When Botox is injected into the facial skin, the neurotoxin directly affects the muscles and prevents them from communicating with the nerves. As a result, the muscles can no longer contract, which causes the skin to become much smoother and free of lines and wrinkles.
Why Shouldn’t You Get Botox While Pregnant?
The topic of women undergoing Botox treatment while pregnant is somewhat polarizing, and there are differing opinions on the matter depending on who you ask. However, the general consensus is that it simply isn’t worth the risk to get Botox while you’re carrying a child. Although it’s possible that your unborn fetus could be unharmed by Botox treatment, even a small chance of the baby being negatively affected should be enough to discourage you from having the treatment performed. Getting rid of your wrinkles is certainly important, but when it comes to keeping yourself and your child as healthy as possible, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What Are the Risks of Using Botox While Pregnant?
Currently, there is limited data available on the risks of using Botox while pregnant. However, because there is no guarantee that the neurotoxin present in Botox won’t harm your unborn fetus, dermatologists recommend avoiding the treatment during pregnancy.
Some of the research that has been performed on animals has pointed to certain risks, including fetal malformations and abortions. Other potential risks that have come up in these studies include low birth weight, premature birth, and bone development problems. Ultimately, because Botox is not a medically necessary treatment, it’s not worth taking the risk if you’re pregnant.
What If You Get Pregnant Shortly After Botox Treatment?
Obviously, you can’t always know in advance when you’re going to become pregnant. So, you may undergo Botox treatment only to find out shortly afterward that you’re carrying a child. If you find yourself in this situation, there’s no need to panic.
Studies conducted on women who have become pregnant shortly after getting Botox have shown no negative effects on the health of the fetuses. Generally speaking, there’s no reason that you should be overly concerned about harm being done to your own health or the health of your baby. However, this is another situation in which it’s wise to be as careful as possible. If you find out you’re pregnant shortly after getting Botox, it’s worth talking to your healthcare about it.
How Long Should You Wait to Get Botox After Pregnancy?
If you opt to hold off on undergoing Botox treatment until after your pregnancy, you’ll probably be pretty eager to get rid of those wrinkles once your baby is born. However, if you’re breastfeeding, you should wait a bit longer. Research is unclear on whether or not Botox can affect breast milk, but dermatologists typically advise avoiding the treatment while pregnant or nursing. Once you’ve finished breastfeeding, though, you should be fine to get Botox.
Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to Botox
Although it may not be a good idea to get Botox while you’re pregnant, that doesn’t mean you can’t treat your wrinkles and reduce signs of aging skin. Although pregnant women are advised to stay away from many cosmetic treatments, there are several anti-aging options that are completely pregnancy-safe.
- Facials – As long as you avoid the harsher treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion, it’s generally safe to get facials during pregnancy. At The Rose Clinic, our Rose Spa offers customized facials that can hydrate your skin, improve your complexion, and treat a variety of cosmetic issues.
- Topical Glycolic Acid – One of the very best pregnancy-safe anti-aging treatments is topical glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy exfoliant known for its ability to rejuvenate the facial skin and reduce lines and wrinkles. Plus, the treatment can be effective for improving skin tone and texture, reducing sun damage, and giving the skin a plumper appearance. Glycolic acid is also believed to stimulate collagen production, which can be beneficial for the long-term health and complexion of your skin.
- Topical Hyaluronic Acid – Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in our bodies, and its synthetic version is frequently used in dermal fillers. A large component of preventing facial lines and wrinkles is keeping your skin hydrated, and topical hyaluronic acid is very effective in doing so. Hyaluronic acid is capable of holding roughly 1,000 times its weight in water, and it’s typically tolerated by all skin types and tones. You can find numerous skincare products containing hyaluronic acid, and there’s no risk associated with using them while pregnant.
- Topical Vitamin C – You’re probably aware that vitamin C is good for your body, but did you know that it’s beneficial for your skin as well? Many serums and other skin care products contain this important vitamin, which can help reduce pigmentation issues and make your skin look more youthful.
What Is the Takeaway?
Although there’s no definitive evidence that Botox is dangerous to use while pregnant, the vast majority of dermatologists and skin care professionals will advise against taking the risk. Ultimately, keeping yourself and your unborn child as safe as possible is more important than reducing your wrinkles. If you’d like to learn more about Botox or pregnancy-safe skincare alternatives, contact us at The Rose Clinic today to schedule a consultation with one of our expert providers.