Re-scheduling a botox or microneedling appointment isn’t something that you often tend to think about when falling pregnant.
That is of course, until you’re halfway through the first trimester and realising all of the million and one things you’re required to avoid for the nine months that you’re growing a human. Throw in the minefield that is switching up your skincare and it can all feel a little overwhelming. So what cosmetic procedures will be safe for you to continue while pregnant and which ones will you need to re-schedule? We sat down with Crystal Patel, Director at Clinica Lase to find out what’s really safe during pregnancy.
Anti-wrinkle injections/dermal fillers
Simply put, anti-wrinkle injections are muscle relaxants that surpress muscle contractions that cause lines to form. Dermal fillers are made up of a synthetic version of Hyaluronic Acid, a substance naturally found in the skin. Anti-wrinkle injections significantly soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles such as frown lines and crow’s feet. Dermal fillers add volume to the treated area such as lips or hollow cheeks. Is it safe for pregnancy? Unfortunately not. We also advise waiting until finishing breastfeeding before having Anti-Ageing or dermal fillers.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a treatment that uses a series of tiny needles to create microscopic injury within the skin. Clinica Lase uses a device called the Dermapen to perform this treatment. This process creates a wound healing response within the skin, bringing new collagen and elastin to the surface. It also encourages cellular turnover. This means great results for anyone suffering from scarring, deep lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, some acne and concerns with pore size. Is it safe for pregnancy? It is advised that you avoid microneedling during pregnancy due to its invasive nature.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning or Epi-blading is a treatment performed with a surgical blade used to remove fine hair and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This treatment is very popular for people with a lot of ‘peach fuzz’ or anyone with a dull and dry skin texture as it removes the hairs temporarily and deeply exfoliates the skin. Is it safe for pregnancy? Yes. This treatment is very popular during pregnancy as it gives you a beautiful glow which lots of women can lose in the first 1-2 trimesters.
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is a treatment that gradually reduces hair growth in the treated area. Hair removal lasers work by targeting the pigment (colour) in the hair and sending heat down into the hair follicle. Over time this kills the blood supply to the hair, which means the hair is starved of nutrients and will die off. One myth about laser hair removal is that it is 100% permanent. It is important that once you have reached your desired results that you maintain around three times a year. Even so, most people can expect to experience an amazing reduction in hair growth. Is it safe for pregnancy? Different clinics have different opinions on this and unfortunately, there have been very few studies into the effects on unborn babies. We therefore advise our clients to wait until after pregnancy.
LED light treatments
LED (Light Emitting Diode) treatments tend to speed up normal processes within the skin. Having an LED treatment is like recharging the batteries in your skin. There are different coloured lights used for different concerns that can work to do things like kill bacteria and speed up wound healing. It is a great treatment for acne, inflammation, redness, post-surgery/treatment and even wounds. Is it safe for pregnancy? Yes. It is great for women experiencing pregnancy-related hormonal breakouts or even just for an all-round pick me up. It’s also super relaxing, so perfect for a mid-day nap! However, we recommend not to have this treatment while in the first trimester.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels are a mixture of different ingredients applied to the skin to exfoliate and create change. Every peel is different and can be tailored to a wide variety of skin types. Most peels work by disrupting the pH of the skin to open it up and allow the ingredients to penetrate to the lower layers. Peels come in many different concentrations and with many different ingredients so always get a professional opinion before deciding which one is right for you. Is it safe for pregnancy? This depends on the type of peel you are having. Low level lactic acid peels are safe for pregnancy, but salicylic, mandelic or retinol peels should be avoided until after pregnancy.
IPL treatments
IPL stand for Intense Pulsed Light. IPL machines are usually used for multiple purposes such as hair removal, pigmentation and redness in the skin. For hair removal it works by searching for the darker pigment in the hair to destroy the blood supply, in a similar way to laser, although it is usually not as effective as laser. IPL is generally used more successfully for skin concerns. For pigmentation it works by applying heat to the skin to encourage pigment to the surface to shed and for redness it works by destroying unwanted capillaries to reduce the red appearance within the skin. Is it safe for pregnancy? No. Avoid both IPL and lasers during pregnancy just to be on the safe side.
Fractional laser
Fractional laser is similar but a little more extreme to microneedling in that it essentially damages the surfaces of the skin to promote a wound healing response. Known as a ‘resurfacing’ treatment, it removes a significant layer of old skin cells and in doing so encourages new, healthy cells to regenerate at the surface. This treatment is amazing for thickened, sun-damaged skin, most types of pigmentation, acne scarring, stretch marks and large pores. Is it safe for pregnancy? No. Due to its invasive nature, it is to be avoided during pregnancy. Words: Yadira Galarza Cauchi