Can I Have Cosmetic Treatments During Pregnancy or While Breast Feeding? - 1

Can I Have Cosmetic Treatments During Pregnancy or While Breast Feeding?

While there is a lot going on during this magical time of your life, including the birth of a beautiful baby or two, it doesn’t mean you can’t look after your skin. With that being said, there are some restrictions on what treatments you can safely receive. Pregnancy is a time when a woman’s body goes through various changes, including the development of pigmentation and spots on the face, pimples and breakouts, abnormal hair growth, lumps and bumps on the body and the appearance of stretchmarks on the abdomen.

It is true that one should avoid anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers to eradicate lines and rejuvenate the skin, as there are no studies that prove they are safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It’s best to rather see your cosmetic doctor post pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The same applies to the most important item I feel should be included in every woman (and man’s) skincare regime, a Vitamin A-based serum or cream. This ingredient is proven to reduce wrinkles, stimulate collagen production, reduce pore size, remove superficial pigmentation and more. But Vitamin A is also known to pose a threat to a growing foetus, hence it’s not recommended during your pregnancy and breastfeeding periods. The solution? Use it after your pregnancy and once you stop breastfeeding.

So what can I use or do to look good during pregnancy and while I’m breastfeeding?

Be happy, exercise and wear good sunscreen (with adequate SPF protection) on a daily basis. You can also add in some vitamin B and C serums for their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-pigmentation properties (eg. Aspect Dr range). There is also the option of having a superficial lactic acid peel, which can help refresh and revive tired and dull looking skin. Aim to have a peel once every 4-6 weeks for optimal results.

It’s also important to consider a brightening serum, which contains agents that inhibit pigmentation. Products such as Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Serum help correct existing pigmentation issues and prevent further pigment from developing during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

What about the facial and leg spider veins or varicose veins that have started to appear?

Unfortunately, it is not safe to treat varicose or spider veins on the legs during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The gold-standard method for tackling spider veins on the legs is a treatment call sclerotherapy. This involves injections that contain a salt and Sulphur-based detergent that eradicates the veins, which is not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Varicose veins are usually treated with ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, endovenous laser treatments or surgical stripping, all of which cannot be performed not during pregnancy. To keep varicose veins at bay, wear compression socks and seek a vein specialist after the delivery period or post breastfeeding. Dr Omarjee has been removing varicose and spider veins for over 13 years.

What about laser treatments? Dr Omarjee doesn’t advise any laser treatments for facial veins, pigmentation, wrinkles or acne scars during pregnancy, and if possible post breastfeeding. There are major hormonal changes occurring in both stages that either makes the treatment unsafe or more unpredictable.

It’s not abnormal to develop skin tags and other blemishes on your face, neck or underarms that may bother you during pregnancy or while breastfeeding but they can be treated using techniques that leave little to no scarring.

Most importantly if you have any concerns, speak to an experienced cosmetic doctor for advice and enjoy this added peace of mind.