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Published: October 31, 2023

All You Need to Know About Botox During Pregnancy

Botox injections belong to exceptionally popular cosmetic procedures. With their help, thousands of people worldwide effectively prolong their attractive and youthful appearance for as long as they want to. But is it safe to undergo Botox injections during pregnancy? Or can it cause any birth defects in the yet-unborn baby?

Check out this article to find the answers to all the questions you might have concerning the safety of receiving Botox while pregnant. Let us figure out whether the benefits outweigh the risks in this regard!

Are you interested in gaining insights into the pros and cons of Botox treatment? If so, we recommend you explore our article, “Botox Uncovered: Treatments’ Pros and Cons” which can provide you with valuable information.

A SIDE NOTE:
Similar to hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid fillers, Botox injections belong to products intended for professional use. Only a board-certified healthcare provider is eligible to buy Botox online and inject it beneath a patient’s skin.

General Information on Botox

Botox is a brand of medical and cosmetic treatment based on botulinum toxin. Its muscle-relaxing power might be used for many medical and cosmetic purposes, starting from the reduction of neck pain and ending with the minimization of facial lines and wrinkles.

A SIDE NOTE:
Apart from Botox, there exist several other brands that are based on botulinum toxin. Bocouture, Dysport, and Xeomin belong to the most popular ones. They all have a similar (but not identical) to Botox composition and properties.

More precisely, here is the list of the main health and aesthetic issues that might be effectively addressed with the help of Botox treatments:

  • Health issues: neck pain, overactive bladder, lazy eye, excessive sweating, chronic migraine, and other medical conditions caused by muscle contractions;
  • Aesthetic issues: dynamic lines and wrinkles occurring as a result of overactive movements of facial muscles (including forehead lines, crow’s feet, nasolabial folds, and so on), thin lips, and facial asymmetry.

A SIDE NOTE:
The power of Botox to take care of the above-mentioned aesthetic issues makes it a minimally invasive alternative to facial plastic surgery. With its help, thousands of patients can improve and rejuvenate their overall appearance in a safe way that requires little to no downtime.

It is also worth mentioning that Botox injected beneath a patient’s skin does not create permanent results. Depending on the individual peculiarities of each patient, such as his or her age, health, and lifestyle, they might last from a couple of months to half a year. Furthermore, the results after an injection of Botox might be substantially prolonged by periodical touch-up treatments.

A SIDE NOTE:
According to clinical trials, Botox rarely causes any serious adverse reactions. It has a potential risk of temporary muscle weakness, nausea, or flu-like symptoms that, however, usually disappear on their own in two to five days after the treatment.

Top 5 Facts About Botox During Pregnancy

According to the FDA, Botox is a category C drug, which means that there does not exist any sufficient research in regard to whether it is safe or unsafe to use it during pregnancy. But how can you figure out whether the risks outweigh the benefits or vice versa in this regard? Well, simply go through the below-mentioned top 5 facts about the usage of Botox by pregnant people.

A SIDE NOTE:
There exist numerous different opinions when it comes to an injection of a dermal filler and Botox during pregnancy. Thus, it is of vital importance to find a healthcare provider you trust and always consult with him or her in this regard.

Cheerful pregnant woman looking through window

#1. The Use of Botox Injections During Pregnancy Is the Topic of Concern

“Is Botox safe during pregnancy?” is one of the most debated questions in the world of aesthetic medicine. The main reason for this is that it still remains unclear whether pregnant patients are at an increased risk when botulinum toxin spreads across their bodies. While many pregnant women who have undergone Botox injections claim to see no adverse reactions, the lack of research does not allow them to state that Botox works in a risk-free way during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

A SIDE NOTE:
Not only the administration of botulinum toxin but also the treatment with the help of hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, salicylic acid, and many other products during pregnancy is the topic of concern for a vast majority of healthcare providers.

#2. There Is Limited Research on the Effects of Botulinum Toxin on Pregnancy and Fetal Development

Despite the fact that there exist numerous animal studies that touch upon botulinum toxin treatments during pregnancy, there is a substantial gap in knowledge in regard to human pregnancy. Thus, it is impossible to give a pregnant woman the green light to use Botox and state with certainty that it is not going to cause any fetal abnormalities.

A SIDE NOTE:
In order to find an answer to the question in regard to the effect of Botox during pregnancy, a healthcare provider has to have substantial research behind his or her shoulders. There is no doubt that botulinum toxin is capable to temporarily smooth a patient’s skin in a very safe way. However, it still remains unclear whether this safety is preserved during pregnancy.

#3. Many Pregnant Women Undergo Botox Injections

Regardless of the above-mentioned lack of research in regard to the usage of Botox treatment during pregnancy, a great number of pregnant women decide that the potential benefits of it are greater than the potential risks and, therefore, decide to undergo a botulinum toxin injection. In such cases, however, a woman is obliged to take full responsibility for her decision.

A SIDE NOTE:
As statistics show, many pregnant people have tried to accelerate their collagen production with the help of dermal fillers and smooth their skin tissues with the help of botulinum toxins without experiencing any adverse reactions. Still, it does not necessarily mean that these treatments are going to be absolutely safe in each individual case.

#4. It Is the Task of a Healthcare Provider to Define Whether Botox Is Safe During Pregnancy

It is always a good strategy to adhere to a board-certified healthcare specialist when deciding whether to undergo Botox treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding or postpone it for later. By thoroughly investigating a patient’s individual case, he or she will be able to define whether it is worth taking risks and undergoing an injection of Botox in each particular situation.

A SIDE NOTE:
Please remember that only a board-certified healthcare specialist is eligible to inject Botox beneath a patient’s skin. Thus, it is his or her task to define whether the procedure is going to be safe in each individual case.

#5. If Possible, It Is Preferable to Postpone Botox While Pregnant or Breastfeeding

Due to the fact that it remains unclear whether Botox passes into the milk while breastfeeding or anyhow affects the yet-unborn baby while pregnant, the general recommendation of a board-certified healthcare specialist would most probably be to postpone the treatment for later. However, it is not always the case that the received Botox has been used for purely cosmetic purposes. Sometimes, its administration is required for medical purposes and cannot be postponed.

A SIDE NOTE:
If you are looking for one short answer to the question “Can you do Botox during pregnancy?”, this answer is going to be “If possible, no.” In case the main reason for you to undergo an injection of Botox is to smooth your skin, it might be preferable to postpone the procedure for later.

Final Words

Hopefully, the above-mentioned information has provided you with a better understanding of the usage of Botox injections during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Now you know that there is no direct answer to the questions like “Is Botox okay during pregnancy?” or “Is Botox allowed during pregnancy?” since everything is strongly individual and there exists a lack of research regarding the effect of botulinum toxin on the baby.

So, our main recommendation would be to consult with your doctor when looking for an answer to the question “Can I get Botox during pregnancy and breastfeeding?” Please remember that your own well-being and the well-being of your baby is always the highest priority of your doctor. Use Botox wisely and stay healthy at all times!

P.S.
The above-mentioned article does not aim to provide any kind of medical advice. It has been created for purely informative purposes.