Botox is one of the most versatile treatments in the aesthetics industry, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for both cosmetic purposes and medical uses, and with millions of satisfied patients yearly.
Despite its versatility, efficacy, and high safety profile, Botox also has its limitations when it comes to its suitability for pregnant women. The most common concern expecting mothers have about Botox is its potential risk to the developing fetus inside their bodies.
As a mom-to-be, you might be wondering: Can you get Botox during pregnancy? The short answer: No. Botox is generally not considered safe during pregnancy due to a lack of conclusive data from human studies. As a precautionary measure, pregnant women are advised to avoid Botox entirely, especially if it’s for purely cosmetic uses.
This article covers everything expectant moms need to know about risks, medical opinions, and safe alternatives to Botox injections. Read on to discover the safety of Botox during pregnancy.
Botox, or botulinum toxin type A, is an injectable neurotoxin that paralyzes underlying facial muscles to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and fine lines, or to create an intended medical effect.
Here are the most common uses of Botox for both cosmetic reasons and medical conditions:
Now, let’s review the most common concerns expecting mothers have when it comes to the possibility of getting Botox treatments while pregnant:
We address these pressing concerns—and more—in great detail below.
For your and your baby’s safety, receiving Botox during pregnancy is off the table. Here’s everything you need to know so that you can make an informed and safe decision.
The FDA labels Botox as a category C drug. This category refers to clinical trials where adverse effects were recorded on the fetus of pregnant animals (like birth defects at high dosages, which are not typically administered to patients), but no adequate human studies have been made to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
This means that, while Botox during pregnancy hasn’t been verified as dangerous to humans, it has also not been proven to be safe for pregnant women.
Medical professionals generally recommend that pregnant patients err on the side of caution and skip Botox injections entirely when expecting or breastfeeding. This includes other cosmetic procedures that don’t meet prenatal safety guidelines, such as dermal fillers or microneedling.
Since cosmetic and preventative Botox have no proven clinical benefits to pregnant women, treating physicians advise against taking the risk associated with injections. This ensures safer pregnancy outcomes for expecting moms and their infants.
Since there isn’t enough conclusive evidence to guarantee the safe administration and use of Botulinum toxin during pregnancy, the main risk for expectant mothers is the unknown effect of Botox on the baby.
Botox is administered in small doses and localized in the injection site, so it’s considered unlikely for the toxin to enter the placenta. This, however, has not been proven in human studies. Because of this, the risks of Botox injections for pregnant women include the following:
From undergoing safety assessments by licensed professionals to knowing if Botox is allowed during pregnancy, prenatal safety guidelines are crucial to ensuring optimal safety for expecting moms and their infants.
During your Botox consultation, medical professionals will conduct a safety assessment and advise against Botox use if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. This includes a thorough evaluation of your medical history and laboratory test results.
While Botox should generally be avoided by pregnant patients as a precaution, physician-led medical spas and dermatology clinics would not allow Botox for cosmetic purposes during pregnancy in the first place. Again, this is due to a lack of sufficient evidence on its safety.
Whether it’s common, specific, or long-term, potential side effects of Botox injections in pregnant women are always worth knowing for both you and your baby’s sake.
The common side effects of Botox include:
Don’t worry too much, though, as these side effects are mild, temporary, and typically resolve on their own after a few days, especially with the right aftercare.
There’s an increased risk for Botox when you’re pregnant because of the lack of conclusive evidence and studies. Here are the specific risks and side effects of Botox during pregnancy:
When administered by inexperienced or unqualified providers with poor injection techniques, the long-term side effects of Botox to watch out for include:
Clinical studies reveal that the safety of Botox during pregnancy has not yet been definitively established since only animal testing has been conducted. Research suggests that there is limited data from large-scale clinical trials, resulting in insufficient evidence to support the claim that Botox is safe for pregnant women to use.
If you’re a mom who’s expecting and you want to keep your baby safe without missing out on facial rejuvenation, don’t worry. We’ve listed pregnancy-safe alternatives to Botox below:
For effective skincare and overall smoother, healthier skin without Botox, pregnant women can practice a routine that consists of the following steps:
Botox replacements during pregnancy include gentle skincare ingredients such as topical vitamin C and niacinamide.
Aside from these products, however, Botox injections can also be substituted with alternative treatments at med spas, such as the following:
It’s important to note that pregnant patients should only get medical-grade treatments at reputable med spas with expert physician oversight, like InjectCo’s premier aesthetic and wellness clinic, to ensure prenatal guidelines are followed for optimal safety.
Aside from turning to skincare and alternative treatments, what you can do instead of getting Botox during pregnancy is make lifestyle changes that promote overall skin health, such as the following:
Here’s a summary of key points to remember from this article:
We encourage patients who are pregnant to consult with a trusted healthcare provider like InjectCo for a thorough assessment of their medical history and recommendations for safe alternatives to Botox.
Giving birth is an exciting journey, and while you may put Botox injections on pause during this sensitive time, there are many alternative, pregnancy-safe options to achieve radiant beauty while protecting you and your baby when you’re expecting.
At InjectCo, our expertise goes beyond Botox treatments to offer you premium aesthetic services from our master nurse injectors and skilled physician assistants.
Ready for elevated skincare solutions? Book a free virtual consultation today, and consult with our licensed specialists on safe and effective Botox alternatives for when you want to look your best while pregnant.
No. Getting Botox for cosmetic or medical reasons is generally not recommended because of a lack of sufficient data from controlled human studies on its safety during pregnancy. If you can avoid Botox, medical professionals recommend turning to alternative options instead.
If you accidentally get Botox while pregnant, don’t panic. While it’s safer to err on the side of caution and skip the injections entirely, getting Botox accidentally injected during pregnancy should have no adverse effects on you or your baby since the injection, often in small doses, is localized in the treatment area.
However, since there is no conclusive proof of the safety of getting Botox injections while pregnant, you should contact or inform your healthcare provider immediately for good measure.
Instead of Botox, pregnant people can use gentle skincare ingredients such as vitamin C and niacinamide, as well as med spa treatments like pregnancy-safe facials, LED red light therapy, and aromatherapy—all while maintaining healthy lifestyle habits like drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep.
