Aesthetic Treatments During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding — What Is Safe and What to Avoid

Botulinum toxin is classified as FDA pregnancy category C — meaning animal studies have shown some adverse effects, and no controlled human studies exist. While Botox acts locally at the injection site and systemic absorption is minimal, the precautionary principle applies. There is no evidence that cosmetic-dose Botox crosses the placenta in meaningful amounts, but the absence of proof is not proof of absence. The same applies to Dysport and Xeomin. Whether botulinum toxin passes into breast milk in cosmetic doses has not been studied. Learn more about the differences between Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in the body, which leads some patients to assume HA dermal fillers must be safe during pregnancy. However, injectable HA fillers are cross-linked pharmaceutical products — not identical to the hyaluronic acid your body produces. No clinical trials have tested these products in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Additionally, pregnancy hormones can cause unpredictable swelling and fluid retention, which may affect filler behaviour and lead to asymmetric or exaggerated results. The same precaution applies to all filler brands including Juvéderm, Teosyal, and FillMed.

Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) and Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) are injectable biostimulators that trigger collagen production. Neither has been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding populations. Because they provoke a long-term biological response — stimulating new tissue formation over months — there is additional theoretical concern about introducing inflammatory stimuli during pregnancy, when the immune system is already modulated. Understand the differences in our guide on biostimulators vs dermal fillers.

Skin boosters and Profhilo are injectable HA products — the same precautionary avoidance applies as with dermal fillers. While they are injected more superficially and in lower concentrations, they remain pharmaceutical injectables without pregnancy safety data. Polynucleotide treatments and exosome therapies also fall into this category.

Thread lifting involves inserting absorbable sutures under the skin — a minimally invasive procedure that requires local anaesthetic. Both the procedure itself and the anaesthetic agents are contraindicated during pregnancy. Thread lifting also provokes a controlled inflammatory response for collagen stimulation, adding another layer of precaution during pregnancy when immune function is altered.

Although PRP therapy uses your own blood — meaning there is no foreign substance involved — the procedure still involves needling, blood draw, and centrifugation. Platelet-rich plasma contains concentrated growth factors, and the effect of introducing these at elevated concentrations during pregnancy has not been studied. The blood draw and injection process also carries a small infection risk that is best avoided during pregnancy.

Superficial chemical peels using glycolic acid or lactic acid at low concentrations are generally considered acceptable during pregnancy by most dermatological guidelines. However, peels containing salicylic acid (BHA) at concentrations above 2%, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or phenol are contraindicated — salicylic acid is related to aspirin and has theoretical teratogenic risk at high doses, while TCA and phenol have significant systemic absorption.

Dermapen microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries to the skin, and the serums applied during treatment are absorbed through these channels. Many of these serums contain active ingredients — including growth factors, retinol derivatives, or vitamin C at clinical concentrations — that are either untested or contraindicated during pregnancy. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency energy, which has no pregnancy safety data. Both procedures should be postponed.

HydraFacial is a non-invasive treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin without needles or significant chemical penetration. Standard HydraFacial protocols are generally considered safe during pregnancy, provided that the serum boosters used do not contain salicylic acid, retinol, or other pregnancy-contraindicated ingredients. Inform your aesthetician that you are pregnant so they can adjust the protocol accordingly.