Can You Get Botox While Pregnant?

Medically Reviewed by Mark Youssef, MD 5 stars from 103 reviews

Everyone wants to present themselves in the best possible light. Many individuals resort to cosmetic operations to accomplish their goals. Botox injections are a popular procedure for minimizing the look of wrinkles on the face, particularly those annoying glabellar lines that grow between the ordinary eyes.

While Botox (botulinum toxin A) receives a lot of attention as a cosmetic therapy, it’s also used to treat various other ailments, including headaches and excessive sweating.

Many individuals who have Botox end up desiring to establish a family due to their procedure. So, regardless of whether you use Botox for aesthetic or medicinal reasons, the issue remains: Is it safe to use while pregnant?

The simple answer is that we don’t know enough to state that it’s completely risk-free. However, here’s what we do know about the situation.

What Exactly Is Botox?

Botox is a cosmetic therapy used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS). 1 It’s something known as a neurotoxin, derived from the botulinum toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. When injected into muscles, it causes them to become momentarily paralyzed. Current FDA approval includes injections into crow’s feet, forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines.

Despite the widespread misunderstanding that all cosmetic neurotoxins are the same as Botox, Botox is the brand name for the product. There are a variety of additional neurotoxins that you may inject into the skin to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles in the same way. 

Is Botox While Pregnant Safe?

If you’ve been taking Botox for a long time, you probably don’t give it much thought anymore, except to make sure you have enough money set up for it. In general, research indicates that botulinum toxin injections to remove those pesky parallel lines between your brows are safe for most individuals.

On the other hand, a positive pregnancy test may cause you to rethink your decision. Here’s the problem: there isn’t a large enough body of research on the use of botulinum toxin in pregnant women to make a solid recommendation.

The results of animal research provide some reason to be optimistic about its safety. In a study in which researchers injected botulinum toxin into pregnant mice, they discovered no indication that the poison passed the placenta, indicating that it is also unlikely to occur in people. Animals are not the same as us.

Furthermore, there is evidence that Botox is safe to use during pregnancy related to the molecules used. This product has a large molecule, which may prevent it from passing the placental barrier. There is some evidence that the size of the toxin molecule may prevent it from crossing the placental border.

However, there isn’t much information available on the toxin’s usage during pregnancy. According to a 2017 assessment of cosmetic treatment safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, no clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of botulinum toxin for aesthetic reasons in pregnant or nursing women. As a result, more investigation is required.

Reasons to Abstain from Botox During Pregnancy

In summary, since the hazards exceed the advantages of Botox, it’s advisable to play it safe and postpone the wrinkle-fighting and skin-smoothing benefits of the injection until a time when your baby is out of harm’s way before getting it done. You may like mountain climbing (and we praise your ambition! ), but we’re willing to bet that you wouldn’t want to put your unborn child at any risk by bringing them along for the adventure while pregnant.

Risks of Botox Use During Pregnancy

Aside from a handful of studies, the impact of Botox on fetuses is still a bit of a mystery, despite the FDA’s massive, terrifying “X” category designation for the cosmetic procedure.

According to Dr. Murphy-Rose, the consequences of botulinum toxin A (btxA) injection during human pregnancy are not well understood. Because there is insufficient evidence to make a definitive conclusion, most dermatologists advise against using Botox injections while pregnant.” Because there is no certainty that using Botox while pregnant or nursing will be safe, it is recommended to err on the side of caution and avoid taking the chance altogether.

Some studies on pregnant rabbits have shown hazards linked to the practice, such as fetal abnormalities and abortions.

5 Premature deliveries, low birth weight, and bone growth are all factors in rat development. Furthermore, since Botox is a cosmetic operation rather than a medically essential one, it is typically recommended that pregnant women avoid the procedure entirely, if only for a limited period. 6

What Happens If You Get Botox and Then Get Pregnant?

We cannot always anticipate all of life’s unexpected twists and turns despite our best efforts. What happens if you’ve previously had Botox treatments and then find out you’re pregnant? Naturally, your initial reaction can be dread—and that’s understandable.

Doctor Levine, on the other hand, has some comforting words for women who are worried about their appearance: “There have been studies done on pregnant women who had Botox injected when they were not aware that they were pregnant, and no untoward effects have been reported,” she says.

“Botox has a very low bioavailability in the bloodstream, so it is unlikely to cause a problem,” she continues, “but I would not recommend injecting Botox into pregnant women,” she adds.

So, if you happen to find yourself in this circumstance, take a big breath and calm yourself down. According to what science has discovered so far, your unborn child will most likely be unharmed. Even so, it’s a good idea to discuss it with your healthcare professional in case something happens.

What are some non-invasive alternatives to Botox for aesthetic reasons that are also safe?

Those who are committed to the way you appear when you have Botox injections but do not want to take any risks while pregnant or nursing have reason to be encouraged. There are other things you may try, even if you don’t receive the same results as with this one.

What do you think about a peel? Research shows that glycolic and lactic acid peels are not harmful to pregnant women, but you should avoid salicylic acid peels if you are expecting a child.

Other tactics for reducing the appearance of frown lines include:

• Drinking enough water to keep your skin moisturized.
• Moisturizing your face several times per day.
• Exfoliating your skin a couple of times per week to remove dead skin cells.

Also, never underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. If you’re able to do so after the baby is born, hire a babysitter or enlist the help of your spouse to take care of the baby in the middle of the night so you can get some rest.

Speak To An Expert At Younique

Botox is widely regarded as safe for use in aesthetics and other applications. However, you may find it challenging to keep your next appointment if you are pregnant. It may be preferable to be on the side of caution and postpone your next round of Botox injections, but you should always talk with your doctor before making a final decision on your treatment plan.