Injectables and Pregnancy: What to Know
We all spend a lot of time on our appearance and it’s something we take pride in. But, where do we draw the line when it comes to injectables and pregnancy? Is it safe to get Botox while pregnant? Will it harm the baby? What about those of you who receive Botox for migraines?
These are all valid concerns. The problem is, there has been very little testing so it’s unclear whether or not injections are safe during pregnancy. In this guide, we’ll walk through the concerns you may have about injections and pregnancy.
Types of Injectables
The first step in understanding injectables and pregnancy is to understand the various types of injectables, what they do, and why people receive them. All of these can make a positive impact on your life but what’s most important is that you keep yourself safe by being informed.
Botox
Botox is the number one selling product of its kind and approximately 11 million people have received Botox. The goal of this procedure is to soften wrinkles and fine lines while helping the skin appear smoother and more youthful.
The treatment only takes 15-20 minutes and does not require any form of recovery time. Within days you will start to see the results of your Botox injections.
Juvederm
Juvederm is a facial filler with the potential to make double the impact of other fillers like Belotero . It lasts anywhere between 18-24 months.
The goal of Juvederm is to improve the appearance of your cheeks while bringing back some of the youthful glow you want. Since this treatment is easy and requires little to no downtime, you can immediately resume normal activities the same day.
Xeomin
Xeomin is one of the newest neuromodulators and is now used by over 84,000 individuals across the globe. The active ingredient is the same as Botox but it doesn’t contain additives. This means that your body is less likely to develop antibodies and build up a tolerance to the active ingredients.
The injection can reduce the appearance of age lines resulting in a happier and brighter look. Results from Xeomin are temporary and require additional injections every 3-6 months.
Can You Get Botox While Pregnant?
Many people get into a regular routine of receiving Botox injections so they neglect thinking about injections and pregnancy. That said, if you’ve recently found out that you’re pregnant, you might want to consider pausing your treatments for a while.
While studies performed on animals show that the injection does not cross into the womb, there is very little testing performed on humans.
Another factor to consider is that the actual size of the molecules in Botox can determine whether or not the toxin passes through the placenta.
We believe the reason for a lack of research on this issue is the fact that Botox is done primarily for cosmetic purposes.
What Happens if You Have Botox and Then Get Pregnant?
Receiving Botox while pregnant is one thing but what happens if you become pregnant while receiving injections? Since most exposure to the toxin occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, it’s recommended that you stop receiving injections for a few months before trying to conceive.
If you are actively receiving injections and found out you are pregnant, it’s recommended that you stop receiving Botox immediately. Again, while negative reactions are uncommon there is such limited research on the side effects and most providers will encourage you to postpone any injections.. You can always resume the injections once your baby is born.
Has Anyone Had Lip Fillers While Pregnant?
Much like Botox, very little testing has been performed on pregnant patients so there is no way to gauge the risk level. Taking Juvederm while pregnant, or another lip filler won’t always cause complications but there’s no way to know if it’s safe or not.
As a result, we recommend against receiving it. Lip fillers are made in a lab with ingredients that occur naturally in our bodies but little study has been done to prove how it will impact a pregnant woman and her baby. In fact, these studies will likely never be performed because anything that can put a pregnant woman at risk is out of the question.
Also, it’s important to keep in mind how pregnancy impacts the body. There are many hormones coursing through a woman’s body and changes occur across the board. Many pregnant women will gain weight and experience changes in their face. Their lips can become swollen and their cheeks may appear more full.
Receiving lip or facial fillers during this time can have a negative impact on your overall appearance when your body returns to normal. It’s best to wait until after your pregnancy (and even after breastfeeding is over).
What Happens if You Get Fillers While Pregnant?
To elaborate on the previous point, there are a variety of reasons not to get fillers when you’re pregnant but most of the reasons stem from hormonal changes. Your body is rapidly changing. It’s swelling, growing, and shrinking; all at the same time. Many pregnant women experience weight gain in the face and lips due to water retention so it’s simply not a good idea to receive fillers during this time.
Do Cosmetic Injectables Affect Fertility?
No, injectables do not affect fertility but you’ll still want to avoid taking them leading up to your pregnancy. Cosmetic injectables such as Botox are considered category C which means that the level of harm done on pregnant women and babies is unknown. Since there is no way to prove whether or not they are safe, you should avoid them.
Final Thoughts
While injectables and pregnancy is somewhat of a gray area, that doesn’t mean you can’t still pamper yourself. There are other treatments and options you can consider if you are looking to keep your youthful appearance and our providers would be happy to talk you through those options. There will be plenty of time to resume your injections after you’ve had your baby.
If you have any questions about injectables, schedule a cosmetic consultation today and we can walk you through safe practices and precautions when it comes to Botox and lip fillers.
