TL;DR:
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Permitted treatments during pregnancy:
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Facial treatments like firming, acne-prone, lightening, and hydrating, using natural, non-toxic ingredients (e.g., hexapeptide, herbal extracts, algae).
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Body treatments from the 4th month of pregnancy, including manual massage, light plant-based scrubs, stretch mark prevention, and Kinesiology Taping for muscle support.
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Treatments for warts using laser ablation or coagulation.
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Not recommended treatments:
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Retinol-based treatments, botox (botulinum), fillers, laser therapies, micro-needle mesotherapy, ultrasound, slimming/anti-cellulite treatments, caffeine-containing products, and invasive procedures.
- Safety notes:
- Always ensure professionals use certified, pregnancy-safe products without strong irritants (e.g., alcohol).
- Avoid abdominal massages; consult a pregnancy doctor before new treatments.
The period of pregnancy is a time of changes in a woman's body. Tissues naturally grow, body weight increases. Discoloration, stretch marks, varicose veins and swelling also appear. All of this causes a deterioration in well-being. There are quite a few theories about pregnancy aesthetic medicine treatments. Many of them suggest avoiding aesthetic medicine offices for nine months of pregnancy. Naturally, not all treatments are allowed, but many of them can be indulged by the mother-to-be without fear.
General rules for treatments during pregnancy
A pregnant woman should pay special attention to the quality and professionalism of the services, as well as the preparations used. For all treatments, only cosmetics recommended by manufacturers for pregnant women can be used. As a rule, these are preparations made on the basis of natural raw materials, without the addition of strong substances (such as alcohol) and fragrances. However, this does not mean that all cosmetic fragrances are inadvisable for pregnant women.
Yes, the state of pregnancy causes changes in the sensation of organoleptic stimuli, especially taste and smell. However, nothing stands in the way of taking advantage of an aromatherapy treatment, which has a relaxing and loosening effect, provided that the fragrance mixtures are selected by an experienced aromatherapist. Often such a treatment is combined with a massage, which must be performed by a professional massage therapist experienced in massage for pregnant women.
Permitted treatments during pregnancy – advantages.
Preparations for facial treatments for pregnant women do not contain toxic botulinum, which is replaced by hexapeptide. It is a completely harmless substance with a very small molecule that is absorbed by the skin. It stimulates the activity of fibroblasts (the most numerous cells of connective tissue), which produce skin support proteins that directly affect the skin's elasticity and firmness, thus reducing wrinkles. Safe facial treatments for pregnant women include:
- Firming – using natural herbal extracts and marine algae. They smooth and deeply moisturize the skin, tighten and regenerate it. An effect of skin rejuvenation and brightening is achieved.
- Acne-prone – used when the skin is too sensitive for mechanical cleansing, with substances that dilate and deeply cleanse the pores of the facial skin. These treatments prevent the formation of acne by soothing already existing inflammation, moisturize the skin and regulate excessive sebum secretion.
- Lightening – eliminating hyperpigmentation, equalizing pigmentation and improving skin tone. This type of treatment includes a mild facial skin peeling using plant-based preparations.
- Hydrating – intended for very sensitive and dry skin, prone to the early appearance of wrinkles. Preparations containing extracts of herbs and algae are used for them.
If skin lesions such as warts appear, they can be treated with coagulation or laser ablation. More details about aesthetic medicine options can be found on the OT.CO Clinic’s aesthetic medicine page.
Body treatments are also highly recommended. Pregnancy, although a physiological state, significantly changes a woman's body, including some irreversibly. Weight gain combined with hormonal changes causes skin to become less elastic, often dry or oily and stretch marks to appear in places. However, body treatments are not used during the first three months of pregnancy. stretch marks on the abdomen in pregnancy From the fourth month onward, you can start prevention against stretch marks, as well as treatments against blood circulation disorders in the legs. Before starting these, consult your pregnancy doctor. For the body a manual massage is recommended, which has a relaxing effect and is specially selected for pregnant women. Massage can be preceded by performing a light body scrub with a plant-based, dermatologically tested preparation. An innovative method of activating abdominal muscles in pregnant women is Kinesiology Taping, which involves the use of the patching method. During the procedure, taupes are applied to the abdominal layers, which relieves pressure on the lumbar spine and relaxes the muscles.
Treatments not recommended for pregnant women
Pregnant woman should avoid preparations and treatments that may endanger the health and safety of her baby. Massage of the abdominal layers is not allowed. For massage of other parts of the body, cosmetics that irritate and contain substances dangerous to mother and child are not used. It is for this reason that it is necessary to refrain from retinol-based treatments. It is the purest form of vitamin A, extremely active and has an excellent effect on the skin, especially acne-prone and aging skin. Retinol lasts in the body for up to about a year, and the effects of treatments using it last about six months. However, it can cause serious, irreversible damage to the fetus. Therefore, you should be wary of treatments using it not only during pregnancy, but also during the period of planning pregnancy and trying for a baby. Treatments with botulinum (botulic acid), which is a toxic substance for both mother and child, are also prohibited during pregnancy. Some scientific studies recommend this substance as safe during pregnancy for treating lesions such as neck and eyelid dystonia. However, there is insufficient evidence on the safety of using fillers during pregnancy, so the above form of therapy is discouraged. Any laser therapy treatment, regardless of the area being treated, must be postponed until after delivery. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the effects of light and lead to stimulation of hyperpigmentation or worsen the symptoms of osteoma or melasma. No studies have been conducted on the effects of laser on the fetus, which is another reason not to perform this procedure during pregnancy. The use of lasers in the abdominal area and vaginal regions in pregnant women is particularly unsafe. Procedures that interrupt the continuity of the epidermis are also not allowed, and these include: micro-needle mesotherapy, ultrasound and direct current treatments, slimming and draining treatments, and anti-cellulite treatments with caffeine-containing preparations.
Conclusion
Pregnancy changes your body, but not all aesthetic treatments are off-limits. In this post, we explored safe options like facial firming, hydration, and body massages tailored for expecting mothers. We also highlighted treatments to avoid, like retinol, botulinum, and laser therapies. The key takeaway? Choose qualified professionals, consult your doctor, and prioritize safety over trends. Pregnancy is a time for care, not risk. With the right choices, you can feel confident, comfortable, and well cared for throughout these nine months. Always prioritize treatments designed for you and your growing baby.