Pregnancy and aesthetic procedures: understanding the indications and risks

Abstract

The topic of aesthetic treatments being performed during pregnancy is commonly debated among practitioners, as there are limited studies and data available on the subject. A review of the literature was undertaken by the author to provide aesthetic practitioners with knowledge that can be applied to their clinical practice. Information was taken from a number of sources and a search was performed online on PubMed using relevant search terms. This was then supplemented by looking at individual treatments or active ingredients commonly used in the aesthetics sector, which had little in the way of information or published studies on their use during pregnancy. The research findings showed that certain ingredients and procedures were likely to be safe when treating pregnant women, but that studies to support this are limited. With a clear lack of evidence, the author's research findings seem to suggest a cautious approach when treating pregnant women. Conducting such studies on pregnant women to give aesthetic practitioners more accurate data would prompt serious ethical and medico-legal discussions, and so is unlikely to occur. In essence, although some procedures and products are in theory deemed safe to be used on pregnant women, it is at the discretion of the practitioner to establish any benefits over the risks. One UK insurance company stated that it would take a cautious approach and that while there are no legal issues around administering treatments, each case would be reviewed on an individual basis. Overall, it would seem sensible to suggest that elective aesthetic procedures are postponed until after pregnancy, particularly as many of the bothersome physiological changes that occur during this period resolve naturally.