Botox has become a popular trend and most people . Learn more on why you should hold off on the Botox procedure and safe alternatives you can use during pregnancy.
A patient with facial creases, fine lines, or crow’s feet makes a good candidate for botulinum toxin; unfortunately, these are physical qualifications. The cosmetic doctor must check a patient’s health, age, and skin conditions. Patients get botulinum toxin to lessen signs of skin ageing or to deal with medical conditions. The skin develops creases on areas repeatedly contracted when a patient makes facial expressions. The creases become more prominent and visible as a patient ages, even when the patient is not making facial expressions. Skin ageing signs are visible from the early 30s.
Botulinum Toxin Injection
Botulinum toxin injection, commonly known as “Botox” by the patient, isa musclewrinkle relaxer. The botulinum toxin reduces muscle movements that form creases by preventing nerve signals from contacting the injected muscles. Cosmetic doctors inject a small amount of botulinum toxin into the facial muscles of the forehead, chin, glabella, lips, eyebrows, tear trough, and jawline. According to Small (2014), botulinum toxin soothes pain by relaxing the muscles. It can improve conditions like bruxism.
Can I Have Botox When Pregnant?
A pregnant patient cannot get botulinum toxin because botulinum toxin in pregnancy is a category C drug. Leek and Arif (2022) explained that a category C drug has risks that cannot be ruled out.Botulinum toxin injection is a cosmetic procedure and can be avoided until the patient is through with the pregnancy. The botulinum toxin injection can be administered to pregnant patientsif it is not for cosmetic purposes,but the benefits must outweigh the potential risks.
Side Effects and Complications of Botox
Botulinum toxin has minor side effects like bruising, headache, nausea, and flu-like symptoms. These side effects can last for a few days. It is uncommon for side effects to last more than two weeks with botulinum toxin; a client should see a cosmetic doctor immediately. Complications with botulinum toxin are rare, but they can occur when unqualified personnel does the injection. The botulinum toxin can spread beyond the injected area, causing botulism-like side effects such as slurred speech, difficulty breathing and swallowing, muscle weakness, blurred vision, and loss of bladder control. Botulism and blurred vision can be threatening to the patients and the foetus.
Cost of Botox Injection
The average cost of botulinum toxin is £ 500, depending on the cosmetic doctor’s experience, the area treated, and the number of injections. A highly experienced cosmetic doctor will be pricey compared to the less experienced one. The location of the cosmetic doctor can determine the cost of botulinum injection. The price will be high depending on the complexity of the treated area.Some cosmetic doctors calculate the cost by the area treated,while others calculate the price using units. Medical covers do not cover cosmetic procedures; this can also determine the cost of botulinum toxin injection.
Alternative to Botox for Pregnant Patients
HydraFacial
The HydraFacial process exfoliates, cleanses, and nourishes the skin giving a patient a glowing, radiant, and beautiful complexion. HydraFacial is safe during pregnancy.
Chemical Peel
A chemical solution improves the appearance of the skin on areas like the face, hands, and neck. A patient can choose light, medium, or deep chemical peel. The results of the light chemical peel are subtle, but it improves the skin glow. In medium peel, the skin will be smoother and fresh-looking.
Vitamin C
According to Pullar et al. (2017), topical vitamin C daily can improve wrinkles, fine lines, redness, and the overall appearance of the skin. Vitamin C protects the skin from harmful UV rays.
Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is a plant-based skincare product extracted from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant.Bakuchiol has antioxidant properties that help fight skin ageing caused by free radicals.According to Draelos et al. (2020), bakuchiol helps reduce discolouration from sunburn, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How Long Does Botox Last?
Botulinum toxin can last for three to five months, depending on the type, quality of body metabolism, the area injected,the amount injected, and the time a patient does touch-ups.Heat and agitation denature botulinum toxin, anda denatured botulinum toxin will not last long. Botulinum toxin will last longer in clients with a slow metabolism than those with a faster metabolism. Botulinum will last longer if the area injected has small creases, unlike when a small amount is used in areas with deep wrinkles. Doing touch-ups will maintain the results,and the botulinum will last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Botox
Is Botox Painful?
Botulinum toxin injection is not painful, but patients can experience discomfort initially.
What Does Botox Do?
Botulinum toxin helps to smooth wrinkles, brow lines, glabella, crow’s feet, and fine lines. It is also used to soothe painand improve urinary continence and bruxism.
I Had Botox, but I Did Not Know I Was Pregnant?
Sometimes,patients do not know they are pregnant, usually during the early stages of pregnancy. The botulinum toxin will wear off after a few monthsand do not do touch-ups. Botulinum toxin injected into the facial muscles usually stays localised.
Can I Have Botox While Lactating?
Botulinum may spread to other areas and get into the breast milk; botulinum toxin is very toxic. It is easier to forgo botulinum toxin injection for a few months until you are done with lactating. You can speak with your cosmetic doctor if you are still unsure of what to do.
Conclusion
Botulinum toxin is a category C drug; there are no human tests on it because nobody is willing to endanger their baby for the testes. The benefits must outweigh the risks for pregnant patients to get a botulinum toxin injection. Cosmetic procedures can be on hold because their benefits do not outweigh the risks. Pregnant patients can try other procedures like chemical peel, HydraFacial, vitamin C, and bakuchiol that are pregnant-friendly. Lactating patients can also wait until after they are done lactating. Botulinum toxin has minor side effects that last a few days. Complications with botulinum toxin are rare, but they can occur if the botulinum toxin spreads beyond the injected area. Botulinum toxin complications like loss of vision and botulism can endanger the life of a pregnant client and the baby.
References
Draelos, Z. D., Gunt, H., Zeichner, J., & Levy, S. (2020). Clinical Evaluation of a Nature-Based Bakuchiol Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD, 19(12), 1181–1183. https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.2020.5522
Leek JC, Arif H. Pregnancy Medications. [Updated 2022 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507858/
Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866
Small R. (2014). Botulinum toxin injection for facial wrinkles. American family physician, 90(3), 168–175.
MS, University of Latvia
I am deeply convinced that each patient needs a unique, individual approach. Therefore, I use different psychotherapy methods in my work. During my studies, I discovered an in-depth interest in people as a whole and the belief in the inseparability of mind and body, and the importance of emotional health in physical health. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (a big fan of thrillers) and going on hikes.
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