Aesthetic treatments are a reality in today’s world. And, although the number has been declining in recent years, women still make up the vast majority of consumers of this kind of service. There are various types of treatments such as laser, LED, microneedling, peeling, and of course, fillers, also known as facial botox.

And when it comes to botox and women in particular, there is a lot of questioning about the use of botox during pregnancy. After all, is it harmful or not for women? Well, to find the answer to this question and understand what it means, we first need to know what this substance is.

What is Botox?

Botox is short for botulinum toxin1, a type of substance that serves to paralyze a specific muscle region, commonly used on the face by people who wish to look younger, as it is very effective in smoothing facial wrinkles and expression lines. That’s why botox during pregnancy is much sought after, since even when pregnant women still want to feel good about themselves.

But beyond its aesthetic function, botulinum toxin also plays a crucial role in fighting various diseases, such as muscle spasms, paraplegia, and microcephaly. The area where botox is applied becomes paralyzed, making muscle spasms stop for up to 6 months, for example. In these cases, other types of treatments should be carried out during this period to achieve full effect.

What is Botox Used For?

Although it is popularly known only as an aesthetic treatment, botulinum toxin has multiple uses and is a fundamental tool in combating various diseases2. Some of the main uses of botox are:

  • Reduction of various types of headache
  • Reduction of lower back pain
  • Management of bruxism
  • Smoothing of facial wrinkles
  • Management of Parkinson’s disease
  • Management of nervous tics (facial spasms)
  • Management of ocular strabismus

Of course, all these conditions need to be thoroughly studied and analyzed before a doctor prescribes botox as a solution. It does not help in all cases and sometimes it can even worsen the health of the person receiving it, especially if botox is used during pregnancy.

Side Effects of Botox

Despite having various uses that greatly help with many diseases and health problems, there are some side effects that botox can cause, especially if applied excessively. Some of the main side effects are:

  • Sensitivity to light
  • Weak muscles at the injection site
  • Dry mouth
  • Paralysis in parts of the body
  • Botulism
  • Swelling
  • Headache
  • Breathing problems
  • Redness at the injection site
  • Loss of elasticity in the heart, in more serious cases

It is always important to consult a professional before undergoing any kind of botox treatment, even if it is purely cosmetic. And it is exactly because of this large number of side effects that botox during pregnancy is not recommended by specialists.

How Does Botox Affect Pregnancy?

There are not enough studies to provide definitive information about the use of botox during pregnancy. For this reason precisely, it is not recommended for pregnant women, as it may produce several effects that are not yet fully known, or the side effects already mentioned in the previous section may worsen and cause even greater harm.

Although there are no studies in humans, some cases of fetal malformation or even miscarriage have already been detected with the use of botox in animals such as rabbits, for example.

Botox During Breastfeeding

As these initial studies indicate that the use of the substance can directly affect the fetal development process, it is also contraindicated for women who are breastfeeding, since these substances can be passed through the milk and may somehow interfere with the child’s development.

There are controversies on these issues, since there are reports of women who underwent botox procedures without knowing they were pregnant and had normal pregnancies without major problems. Although these cases exist, they are not the rule, and the lack of expert studies in this specific type of case makes the main recommendation still to avoid the use of botox during pregnancy3.

There are various reasons for a woman to use botox in her life. Whether purely aesthetic or for more serious reasons, such as disease treatments, for example, it is important to know that it is not recommended during pregnancy.

Knowing the risks involved, a woman should leave this type of treatment aside for a while and focus entirely on her pregnancy. Of course, aesthetic concerns are important and it is valid for a woman to choose to undergo such a procedure, but this decision needs to be well thought out and carried out at the appropriate time.

See also: Can Pregnant Women Have a Facial?
Photo: Oceanview MedSpa