What Skin Treatments Are Safe During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is such a beautiful, transformative time - your body is doing the amazing work of growing new life, but it also comes with major shifts in hormones, skin, and energy levels. Many of our patients come to us wondering: Can I still treat myself to skincare treatments while I’m pregnant? The answer is: yes - but with some important caveats! At our downtown Bethesda medical spa, our top priority is keeping you and your baby safe while helping you feel confident and cared for. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through which in-office treatments are safe, which to avoid, and how to approach skincare during pregnancy in an informed, thoughtful way!
Safe Treatments During Pregnancy:
While you may need to press pause on some of your go-to treatments, there are still plenty of ways to pamper your skin and support a healthy, glowing complexion throughout pregnancy.
1. Pregnancy-Safe Facials:
Custom facials are a great way to relax and address common pregnancy skin concerns like breakouts, dryness, or increased sensitivity. Our expert aestheticians will tailor your facial using pregnancy-safe products - avoiding retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone, and strong chemical peels.
2. HydraFacials (Modified):
HydraFacials are popular for good reason - they cleanse, exfoliate, and deeply hydrate the skin all in one treatment. The key during pregnancy is modification. We omit the stronger exfoliating serums that contain glycolic or salicylic acid and instead use gentler, pregnancy-safe alternatives. What remains is a relaxing, effective treatment that leaves the skin looking dewy and refreshed - without risk.
Pro Tip: Always let your Defy provider know you're pregnant before any treatment. This helps us choose the safest options for both you and baby!
3. Dermaplaning:
Yes, dermaplaning is safe during pregnancy! It involves gently exfoliating the surface of your skin using a sterile blade to remove dead skin cells and vellus hair (aka peach fuzz). There are no chemicals involved, making this a completely non-invasive, baby-safe option. Pregnant skin can often look dull or feel more textured - dermaplaning gives an instant glow, and also helps your skincare products absorb more effectively.
Treatments to Avoid During Pregnancy:
Some of the treatments we love outside of pregnancy should be avoided while expecting, either due to their intensity or lack of safety data. Here’s what to avoid:
1. Microneedling with PRP:
Microneedling works by creating micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production. When paired with PRP (platelet-rich plasma), the treatment can deliver dramatic results over time. However, we do not recommend microneedling with PRP during pregnancy.
Why? Even though PRP comes from your own blood, there's limited research on its effects during pregnancy. The microneedling process itself also creates inflammation, which we prefer to avoid during this sensitive time.
2. BBL (BroadBand Light) and Moxi Laser:
These laser and light-based therapies are fantastic for treating pigmentation, fine lines, and sun damage. However, hormonal changes during pregnancy can make skin more reactive, increasing the risk of side effects like hyperpigmentation or irritation. There’s also no conclusive research on the safety of light or laser therapy during pregnancy, so we recommend postponing these treatments.
Postpartum plan: BBL and Moxi are excellent for treating post-pregnancy melasma or texture changes once cleared by your provider.
3. Botox and Dermal Fillers:
Botox and fillers are two of our most frequently asked-about treatments during pregnancy. While they’re generally safe for use under normal conditions, the FDA has not approved them for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There simply isn’t enough data to determine the potential effects, so we follow a “better safe than sorry” approach and recommend pausing injectables until after the baby arrives (and you’re no longer nursing).
Pregnancy Skin Concerns & Treatment Alternatives:
Pregnancy skin comes with its own set of challenges - thanks, hormones! Here’s a look at what you might experience and how to manage it safely:
-Melasma (aka “Pregnancy Mask”)
Triggered by increased melanin production, melasma shows up as brown or gray-brown patches on the face. It’s very common, especially in the second and third trimesters.
Safe options: Vitamin C serums, azelaic acid, and mineral sunscreen
Avoid: Laser treatments and hydroquinone (wait until postpartum)
-Hormonal Acne:
Hormonal shifts can bring on breakouts, especially around the chin and jawline.
Safe options: Niacinamide, zinc-based spot treatments, gentle masks
Avoid: Retinoids, benzoyl peroxide in high concentrations, and salicylic acid over 2%
-Dryness & Sensitivity:
Many pregnant clients are surprised by how dry and sensitive their skin becomes.
Safe options: Ceramide-rich moisturizers, hyaluronic acid, and soothing masks
Avoid: Over-exfoliating or trying too many new products at once
-Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine: Quick Guidelines:
To keep things simple, here’s what to include (and exclude) from your daily skincare lineup while pregnant:
-Ingredients to Embrace:
-Vitamin C: A brightening antioxidant that helps fade dark spots (like melasma) and boosts collagen production. It also protects against environmental damage from pollution and UV rays - making it a must-have in your morning routine.
-Hyaluronic acid: A hydration hero. This molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, helping to plump the skin and maintain moisture without clogging pores or causing irritation. Especially great for dry or dehydrated pregnancy skin.
-Niacinamide: Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide helps calm inflammation, reduce redness, and support the skin barrier. It’s especially helpful if your skin is more sensitive or acne-prone during pregnancy.
-Azelaic acid: One of the few ingredients that's both pregnancy-safe and effective for treating breakouts, rosacea, and pigmentation. Azelaic acid is gentle but powerful - it can help reduce redness, unclog pores, and fade dark spots.
-Peptides: These are short chains of amino acids that support collagen production and help improve skin firmness and texture. Peptides are great for keeping your skin looking smooth and resilient without the use of retinoids.
-Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide): Mineral (aka physical) sunscreens sit on top of the skin to reflect UV rays, rather than being absorbed like chemical sunscreens. They’re non-irritating, pregnancy-safe, and crucial for protecting against melasma and other sun-related pigmentation.
Ingredients to Avoid:
-Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin): These vitamin A derivatives are gold-standard for anti-aging and acne - but they're not safe during pregnancy.
-Hydroquinone: Used to treat dark spots and melasma, hydroquinone has a high absorption rate through the skin. Because of this, and the lack of conclusive safety studies during pregnancy, it's best to avoid it and opt for safer brighteners like vitamin C or azelaic acid instead.
-Salicylic acid in high percentages: While small amounts of salicylic acid (like in spot treatments or cleansers) are generally considered safe, high-percentage peels or leave-on treatments are not recommended. They’re in the same family as aspirin, which can pose risks during pregnancy when used in excess.
-Benzoyl peroxide (unless advised by your doctor): This acne-fighting powerhouse is another ingredient that falls into the “maybe, but proceed with caution” category. Some OBs are comfortable with low concentrations in limited use, but because it’s classified as Category C by the FDA, it’s best to consult your provider first before using it regularly.
Always read product labels, and when in doubt - ask your aesthetician or medical provider to review your skincare routine!
The Bottom Line: Self-Care is Still Possible!
Pregnancy might limit certain treatments, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip self-care altogether. You can still nourish your skin, treat common concerns, and enjoy time to relax - it just takes a slightly adjusted approach. We’re here to help you navigate this season safely and confidently. Whether you're newly pregnant or nearing your due date, our team is trained in providing customized, pregnancy-safe skincare that makes you feel pampered and supported.
Whether you're interested in filler, Botox/Dysport, collagen-boosting skin treatments, or want to learn more about our Defy Annual Membership (a perfect choice for those who want to transform their skin without the price tag over the course of a year!), we’d love to see you in our Bethesda medical spa soon.