Planning Aesthetic Treatments Before, During and After Pregnancy: What to Pause and What Can Continue

When a patient tells me she’s planning a pregnancy, my advice changes immediately. It’s not that most aesthetic treatments are known to be harmful during pregnancy. It’s that most of them have never been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and when the benefit is cosmetic, the right answer to “we don’t know” is to wait.

This guide covers three phases: planning, pregnancy and the months after delivery. Your obstetrician always has the final word, and I’m happy to coordinate with them.

Before you conceive: what to finish and what to stop

Treatments worth completing ahead of time

If you’ve been considering a series with downtime, such as laser hair removal or laser resurfacing, it’s easier to complete before pregnancy than to pause halfway. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can also change hair growth patterns, which is another reason to finish a series beforehand when possible.

Medications and products to review

• Retinoids. Oral isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects and requires strict pregnancy prevention. Topical retinoids such as tretinoin are generally stopped before trying to conceive as a precaution.
• Hydroquinone is commonly paused because of limited safety data and relatively high skin absorption.
• GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide should be stopped well before a planned pregnancy, following the timing in the product labeling and your prescriber’s guidance. If you’re on our medical weight loss program, tell us early so we can plan together.
• Hormone therapy should be reviewed with your prescriber before conception.

During pregnancy: what to pause

In my practice we postpone the following until after pregnancy and, in most cases, breastfeeding:

• Botox and other FDA-approved neuromodulators. Their labeling notes that safety in pregnancy hasn’t been established.
• Dermal fillers, Sculptra and Kybella.
• Laser and light treatments, radiofrequency microneedling and body contouring devices.
• Medium and deep chemical peels.

What can often continue

• Mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, plus a wide-brimmed hat. This is especially important because pregnancy can trigger melasma, the patchy brown pigment on the cheeks and upper lip.
• Gentle cleansers and moisturizers.
• Azelaic acid, which is often considered an option for acne and pigment during pregnancy after discussion with your obstetrician.
• Gentle, non-medicated facials. A basic HydraFacial without certain active boosters may be reasonable; we tailor it and check with your OB when in doubt.

After delivery: resuming at the right pace

Postpartum skin and hair go through their own changes:

• Melasma may fade on its own over months, though it often lingers. Strict sun protection is the first step; treatment options expand after breastfeeding ends.
• Hair shedding commonly starts a few months after delivery. This postpartum shedding is usually temporary, but shedding that persists beyond about a year or causes visible thinning deserves evaluation.
• Abdominal changes such as loose skin or separated abdominal muscles need time and, sometimes, a physical therapist or surgeon before any cosmetic device is considered.

Once you’re done breastfeeding and cleared by your obstetrician, most treatments can resume. I suggest restarting one at a time.

When to see your doctor, not us

Call your obstetrician or primary care physician for sudden facial or hand swelling, intense itching during pregnancy, a new or changing mole, or hair loss with fatigue, weight change or other symptoms. These can signal medical conditions, including thyroid problems, that need prompt attention. All treatments at Serene are performed or supervised by trained medical professionals under my oversight, and we review pregnancy status before every treatment.

Frequently asked questions

I got Botox and then found out I was pregnant. What should I do?

Don’t panic, and tell your obstetrician. Cosmetic doses are small, but your doctor should know so they can advise you. Pause further treatment until after pregnancy.

Can I get Botox while breastfeeding?

It isn’t known whether it passes into breast milk, so I recommend waiting until you’ve finished breastfeeding.

Is laser hair removal safe during pregnancy?

There isn’t enough safety data, so we postpone it until after pregnancy.

How soon after delivery can I restart treatments?

Most treatments can resume after breastfeeding ends and your obstetrician clears you. We’ll review your recovery first.

Plan ahead with us

Whether you’re planning, expecting or newly postpartum, a complimentary, no-commitment consultation can help you map what to do now and what to save for later:

• Hudson, OH: 50 W Streetsboro St, Suite 2 · (330) 460-5915
• Barboursville, WV: 1 Chateau Grove Ln · (304) 520-0461

Ask about Easy Pay financing.

References: Allergan. BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) prescribing information: use in specific populations. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. · American Academy of Dermatology. Melasma and skin changes during pregnancy. aad.org · American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Patient education on skin conditions during pregnancy.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Treatments are provided only after consultation and evaluation by a licensed provider. Individual results vary.