Contact Us Today Schedule a Consultation
Unsure where to begin? Our experts can guide you.
Book NowExpecting a baby is an exciting time, but it also comes with questions about what's safe for you and your growing family. Many women wonder whether they can continue their regular beauty treatments, including anti-wrinkle injections, lip injections, and other cosmetic injectables, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to conceive, here's what the science says about injectable treatments and how to make the safest choices for this special season of life.
Summary
During pregnancy: Elective treatments, including anti-wrinkle injections (Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, etc), dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane (including lip injections), and Kybella, are best postponed. High-quality safety data in pregnant patients is lacking, and product labels advise caution
While breastfeeding: Botox appears to be low risk based on expert resources, though data remain limited and it is not officially FDA approved in this group of women. Fillers have insufficient evidence, and Kybella's presence in breast milk is unknown. Every decision should be made together with your healthcare team, understanding all the information available.
Already had injections before you knew you were pregnant? Don't panic. There have been no reported adverse effects from these treatments, and routine prenatal care with continued monitoring is recommended for all pregnancies, so mention it to your OB-GYN at your next visit.
Botox While Pregnant: The Facts
For cosmetic purposes, medical professionals universally recommend waiting until after delivery. This applies whether you're considering Botox for forehead lines, crow's feet, frown lines, or any other aesthetic concern. While Botox is one of the most studied cosmetic treatments available, pregnancy-specific safety data remains limited.
The U.S. prescribing information states there are no adequate studies in pregnant people and recommends use only if the benefits outweigh potential fetal risks. Since smoothing wrinkles isn't medically necessary, this threshold isn't met for cosmetic treatments.
Why Can't You Get Botox When Pregnant?
FDA-approved labels for all botulinum toxin products, Botox, Dysport, and Daxxify, acknowledge insufficient human pregnancy data. Animal studies have shown adverse effects at high or maternally toxic doses, but these findings don't directly translate to the small cosmetic doses used in humans.
Current research has not shown clear signals of increased birth defects from Botox exposure during pregnancy. These come from small studies in patients who received injections for medical conditions (often at much higher doses than routinely used for wrinkle relaxing). However, this type of observational data has limitations and isn't sufficient to establish safety, which is why medical guidance remains conservative.
What About Lip Injections and Other Fillers During Pregnancy?
Many expectant mothers ask whether it's safe to get lip injections while pregnant, especially if they've been maintaining their lip augmentation routine with products like Juvederm or Restylane. The medical consensus is consistent: all elective dermal filler treatments, including lip injections, should be avoided during pregnancy. When in doubt with gaps in science, we always err on the side of caution because you and your baby’s health is the most important outcome.
Why Can't You Get Lip Injections When Pregnant?
There are several important reasons why lip injections aren't recommended during pregnancy:
Lack of safety data: Dermatology reviews and teratology resources consistently stress the absence of safety studies specifically examining Juvederm injections while pregnant, Restylane injections while pregnant, or any other dermal filler use during pregnancy. Without this data, healthcare providers cannot confidently assess the risk to your developing baby.
Unpredictable results: Pregnancy hormones cause significant fluid retention and swelling throughout your body, including your face and lips. This makes it nearly impossible to predict how fillers will settle or what your final results will look like. What might appear appropriately enhanced during pregnancy could look overfilled once postpartum swelling subsides.
Complicated corrections: If complications arise from lip injections, such as excessive swelling, lumps, vascular issues, or dissatisfaction with results, treating these problems becomes significantly more complex during pregnancy. The enzyme hyaluronidase, which dissolves hyaluronic acid fillers, and medications needed to manage vascular complications, are also unstudied in women who are expecting.
Extended inflammatory response: Pregnancy alters your immune system, which can potentially affect how your body responds to foreign substances like dermal fillers, possibly leading to prolonged swelling or inflammation.
What Happens If You Get Lip Injections While Pregnant?
While there isn't extensive safety data on filler exposure during early pregnancy, these products are designed to work locally at the injection site and aren't expected to circulate systemically in significant amounts.
However, you should inform your OB-GYN about any cosmetic treatments you received around the time of conception or during early pregnancy. They can note this in your medical records and monitor your pregnancy appropriately, though routine prenatal care is typically all that's needed.
Kybella Injections During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know?
When considering whether you can get Kybella injections while pregnant, the answer is straightforward: avoid this treatment entirely during pregnancy. Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is used to reduce submental fullness (double chin), but the prescribing label reports insufficient human pregnancy data.
Since Kybella is an elective cosmetic treatment, the potential benefit rarely justifies any uncertain risk to your developing baby. This treatment can safely wait until after delivery and, if desired, after you've finished breastfeeding.
Treatment-by-Treatment Breakdown
Botox, Dysport, and Daxxify (Botulinum Toxin)
During pregnancy: The recommendation is to defer cosmetic injections. While the product labels note inadequate human data, botulinum toxin may be used during pregnancy only for compelling medical reasons (such as severe migraines or muscle spasticity), and only after thorough discussion between your specialist and OB-GYN.
While breastfeeding: The news is more reassuring here. Transfer to breast milk is likely low because the toxin works locally and the molecule is quite large. There is also data in women who got sick with botulism and did not pass the full infection to their nursing infants. Taken together, the overall risk appears low, though evidence is still preliminary and limited. Decisions to move forward with treatment are individual - please talk with your clinician about timing and infant-specific factors.
Dermal Fillers (Including Juvederm, Restylane, and Lip Fillers)
During pregnancy: Do not get elective fillers while pregnant, regardless of the brand (Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, etc.) or treatment area (lips, cheeks, nasolabial folds). Dermatology reviews and teratology resources consistently stress the lack of safety studies in pregnant patients. Best practice is to wait.
While breastfeeding: Evidence is limited. Some clinical resources consider hyaluronic acid fillers unlikely to affect breast milk due to their local action, but major organizations still advise caution because of the research gap. Make the decision with your clinician based on your individual circumstances.
Important safety note: Never use at-home or "needle-free" hyaluron pen devices. The FDA has issued warnings about serious injuries from these products.
Safe Skincare Alternatives During Pregnancy
You don't have to abandon glowing skin just because injectables are on pause. Here are evidence-based swaps:
Sun protection: Broad-spectrum sunscreen combined with shade-seeking habits remains the highest-impact step for maintaining a healthy glow and controlling pigmentation during pregnancy.
Safe topical ingredients: Consider azelaic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide, generally regarded as compatible with pregnancy. CO2 lift treatments are another pregnancy-safe option for maintaining skin health.
Ingredients to avoid: Retinoids, hydroquinone, and higher concentrations of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid should be avoided during pregnancy.
Your Quick Decision Guide
If you're pregnant:
- Defer elective anti-wrinkle injections (Botox, Dysport, Daxxify)
- Avoid all dermal fillers, including Juvederm and Restylane lip injections
- Postpone Kybella treatments
- Consider these treatments only if medically necessary, and only after review by both your OB-GYN and specialist
If you're breastfeeding:
- Botox: Often acceptable after informed discussion (low theoretical transfer to milk)
- Fillers: Proceed cautiously or defer; discuss your baby's age and your personal risk tolerance
- Kybella: Usually best to wait
The Final Word
If you're expecting, the most evidence-based choice is to press pause on elective injectables, including anti-wrinkle injections, Botox, lip fillers with Juvederm or Restylane, and Kybella, until after delivery. During breastfeeding, Botox is usually compatible after a thoughtful conversation about timing and your baby's specific factors. Fillers are evaluated case-by-case with limited data, and Kybella can typically wait.
This approach maximizes safety for you and your baby while keeping all your future aesthetic options open. Your glow-up can wait a few months; your peace of mind during this precious time is worth it.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
Whether you're planning for post-pregnancy treatments or looking for pregnancy-safe skincare alternatives, our team at Aesthetx is here to guide you. Schedule a consultation to discuss a personalized approach that aligns with your timeline and aesthetic goals.
