Botox treatment while pregnant
Pregnancy has an enormous effect on the body. Hormone fluctuations can cause breakouts, redness, or even hyperpigmentation. Because of these side effects many women are interested in using wrinkle smoother injections like Botox or Dermal Fillers to solve their skin issues. But is it safe for patients to seek out injectables while they’re pregnant?
While it’s not illegal to receive injectable treatments during pregnancy, the decision is somewhat complicated. In this blog post, we’ll explain why pregnant women should always choose the safest possible option for themselves and their unborn children.
How Injectables Work?
To better understand how injectables and pregnancy interact, it’s important to know how injectables work in the first place. It’s true that Botox and dermal fillers are administered in similar ways. But the active ingredients within them are different.
Botox: Contains botulinum toxin A, a neurotoxin. This ingredient relaxes muscles and prevents them from contracting and creating wrinkles on the skin. Typically it is used to soften wrinkles around the eyes, brows, and forehead, but can also be used to smooth out the chin, neck lines and vertical lip lines.
Dermal fillers: Contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body. Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin and is used to fill in fine lines and add youthful volume. Our treatment plans start by restoring volume loss in the mid face and then we work our way down to smooth smile lines , areas around the mouth, lips, chin and jawline. This allows your face to read more rested, youthful and confident..
What the Studies Say?
The effects of botulinum toxin A (btxA) administration during pregnancy are largely unknown. There is only few prior extensive studies on the use of btxA during pregnancy. This is due to the nature of performing tests that could affect the well-being of a baby. Some groups have collected data from doctors who admitted to performing injectable treatments on women who are pregnant. While no direct correlations were found between injectables and fetal health, the study concluded that it was best to “carefully consider the risks and benefits” and to follow the instruction of your health care provider.
FDA approved labeling for btxA indicates that this toxin is pregnancy risk category C. This indicates that a risk cannot be ruled out, and recomends that it should be "administrated during pregnancy only if the potential benefits justifies the potential risk to the fetus."
BTX-A which has a high molecular height, does not appear to crross the placenta. Patients should wait 3-4 months for the Botox to be eliminated from their system to conceiving.
What happens if a healthcare provider accidentally inject Botox to a pregnant woman?
Women are pregnant or breast feeding have not been studed for botox. However, this situation is quite common, and no reported adversed effects have been reported yet.
Our practice is always thoughtful and careful when utilizing injectable treatments—and this is especially the case with pregnant patients. Patients may also enjoy more consistent results by waiting until their hormones have stabilized. After you’ve had your baby, our staff will be happy to create a treatment plan to help you feel your best in no time.
If you would like to learn more about your Botox or Dermal filler options in Rejuvenus Clinic, request a complementary consultation at 647-615-0223.