A review of the safety of cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

The safety of cosmetic procedures in patients who are pregnant and/or lactating is a complex clinical question surrounded by uncertainty. Our objective is to consolidate data on the safety of commonly requested cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and lactation after a systematic review of the current literature to guide evidence-based care in the future. A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted for articles on cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and lactation. Due to a lack of controlled trials, case reports and series were considered. Minor procedures such as shave, punch, snipping, and electrocautery are considered safe. With respect to chemical peels, glycolic and lactic acid peels are deemed safe; however, trichloracetic and salicylic acid peels should be avoided or used with caution. Although safety data on botulinum toxin A is insufficient, the procedure may be safe because systemic absorption and placental transfer are negligible. Sclerotherapy can be safe during pregnancy but must be avoided during the first trimester and after week 36 of the pregnancy. Laser and light therapies have been considered generally safe for patients with granulomatous conditions and condylomata. Epilation should be limited to waxing, shaving, and topical treatments instead of permanent procedures. In patients who are lactating, most therapies discussed above are safe but fat transfer, sclerotherapy, and tumescent liposuction are not recommended. Better evidence is needed to make concrete recommendations on the safety of cosmetic therapy during pregnancy and lactation but preliminary evidence suggests excellent safety profiles for many commonly requested cosmetic procedures.

Cosmetic products and non-invasive aesthetic procedures: Safety of usage and recommendations regarding selection during pregnancy and lactation

“…Promene kože i adneksa, najveći i najčešći estetski problem u trudnoći, čest su uzrok nezadovoljstva i razlog primene različitih kozmetičkih proizvoda (KP), ali i estetskih procedura (EP), kako u ovom periodu, tako i tokom laktacije (2)(3)(4).…”

“…Zbog različitih reverzibilnih i/ili ireverzibilnih promena kože nastalih tokom trudnoće (1)(2)(3), trudnice i dojilje pokazuju veliko interesovanje i podvrgavaju se, na lični zahtev, određenim estetskim procedurama. Međutim, bezbednost EP (hemijski piling, mezoporacija, sonoforeza, upotreba lasera u okviru procedura itd) nije procenjivana na trudnicama i dojiljama, zbog čega predstavlja kompleksno pitanje bez jasnih i potpuno sigurnih odgovora (4).…”

“…Rastvor glikolne kiseline (do 30%): ograničena dermalna penetracija glikolne kiseline, bezbedan za primenu (1,4,34,35).…”

A Review of the Safety of Common Aesthetic Procedures during Pregnancy

“…However, studies proving its use in the treatment of melasma excluded pregnant women from the trials [10]. 2% Lactic acid is known to be used to treat gestational acne without any reported negative pregnancy outcomes [11]. The product has a low level of dermal penetration, meaning negligible systemic effects, and could therefore be considered safe for use during pregnancy.…”

“…However, multiple trials have been conducted which analyse the effects of using for medical indications during pregnancy, including achalasia, migraine prophylaxis and cervical dystonia. Despite using higher concentrations of Botulinum toxin for medical purposes there is still a unanimous conclusion that there is no significant increase in adverse foetal outcomes compared to the general population [11].…”