Is It OK To Get Botox During Pregnancy?Is It OK To Get Botox During Pregnancy?

When I was pregnant I became obsessed with looking my best. This included doing everything humanly possible to reduce the appearance of fine lines on my skin, gray hairs on my head and more.

A pregnant woman much like any other woman wants to look and feel her best. Fortunately there are several simple things you can do to help you look and feel terrific throughout your pregnancy. It is important you realize however that some of the beauty products or regiments you may normally enjoy may not be safe during pregnancy.

What Beauty Products and Procedures Are Safe During Pregnancy?
There are certain precautions a pregnant woman should take when pregnant… at least when it comes to beauty.

While the jury is still out on some items during pregnancy, there are some products that are definitely safe to use during pregnancy and others that are quite questionable. Here is a list of safe vs. less than safe products you can consider during pregnancy:

  •  Wrinkle Creams – Some wrinkle creams are ok to use during pregnancy, especially if they contain benign ingredients like milk, cocoa butter and vitamin E. You should however, stay away from products containing high doses of vitamin A or certain acids. Vitamin A in high doses may cause birth defects. Your skin is also more sensitive during pregnancy, so large doses of glycolic or other acids can excessively irritate your skin.
  •  Accutane – This product is commonly prescribed to treat acne. It can cause birth defects so you should avoid it during pregnancy.
  •  Botox – Doctors aren’t sure whether botox is safe during pregnancy. Most assume that the injections administered to your face will not circulate into other areas of your body. Because botox is a toxin however, many doctors will recommend pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid using it. It is important you weigh the risks vs. the potential benefits of treatment. Most women find their wrinkles are smoothed out naturally during pregnancy anyway resulting from increasing fluid retention. It may be safer to wait until after you have your baby to consider botox treatments.
  •  Hair depilatories – Many doctors feel that chemical depilatories are safe during pregnancy, but the truth is doctors aren’t completely sure whether the product is dangerous to a developing fetus when absorbed through the skin. A safer alternative is waxing which more permanently removes hair than shaving (though waxing is a bit more painful during pregnancy than at other times).
  •  Dyeing Hair – Some doctors feel that dyeing your hair is perfectly safe during pregnancy while others recommend sticking with highlighting. When you highlight your hair, less product touches the scalp. Reducing the likelihood your body will absorb unwanted toxins. If you do decide to dye your hair during pregnancy, you should consider waiting until after the first trimester of pregnancy, when the risk for birth defects is most high.
  •  Tanning Creams – Most tanning creams are very safe for use during pregnancy. Tanning creams work by staining the surface of the skin. This means your skin won’t absorb much of the product. Some women find tanning creams help improve the appearance of their skin and improve their self-esteem during pregnancy.
  •  Microdermabrasion – Your best bet is to avoid this and other abrasive procedures during pregnancy when your skin is still quite sensitive. Keep in mind while pregnant, you have a healthier than normal glow to your skin anyway!

As with anything, it is important you consult with your healthcare provider when trying new products during pregnancy. If you aren’t sure about the safety of an over the counter product, avoid using it until you have a chance to talk with your doctor.