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Mommy Makeover 101: What’s Included and What to Expect

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding-Safe Medspa Treatments: What Patients Need To Know

Important Medical Disclaimer

Scientific studies have not been conducted sufficiently on pregnant or lactating women to make any aesthetic treatment or skincare ingredient definitively safe. It is always best to avoid unnecessary exposure or elective treatments while pregnant or breastfeeding. Always consult with your OB-GYN, primary care provider, or other licensed medical professional before proceeding with any medspa service or skincare product.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are exciting and transformative times, but they can also bring unexpected skin changes such as dryness, acne, sensitivity, melasma, and puffiness. At PURE Cosmetic Center, your safety—and your baby’s safety—always comes first. Below is a guide to which treatments are generally considered safe, which should be avoided, and which may be used with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Skincare Products During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Many professional skincare brands do not perform formal safety testing on pregnant or lactating women. For example, ZO® Skin Health does not officially test products for pregnancy safety and recommends consulting a medical professional before use.

That said, the following product types and ingredients are generally considered low risk when approved by your provider:

Generally Pregnancy- & Breastfeeding-Friendly Products

  • Gentle Cleanser
  • Hydrating Cleanser
  • Vitamin C 10% Self-Activating Serum*
  • Complexion Clarifying Mask*

*Always confirm the full ingredient formulation with your provider.

Pregnancy-Safe Facial Treatments

Custom Pregnancy-Safe Facial

A fully customized facial designed for comfort and safety.

Includes:

  • Gentle cleanse
  • Mild enzyme exfoliation (without acids)
  • Hydrating or calming mask
  • Pregnancy-safe serums
  • Light to moderate facial massage

Can be customized for acne, dryness, or sensitivity.

Hydrating Facial

Ideal for hormonal dryness and dehydration.

  • Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides
  • Cooling or soothing masks
  • No heat, no strong actives

Calming / Sensitive Skin Facial

Perfect for rosacea, redness, or pregnancy-induced sensitivity.

  • Oat, aloe, chamomile, colloidal silver
  • Gentle facial lymphatic massage

Gentle Enzyme Facial

Improves skin texture safely using:

  • Fruit enzymes only
  • No glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acids

Pregnancy-Safe Acne Facial

Addresses congestion without harmful ingredients.

Avoids:

  • Retinoids
  • High-percentage salicylic acid

Facial Massage & Lymphatic Drainage

  • Helps reduce puffiness and improve circulation
  • Avoids deep pressure points
  • Performed with the client comfortably positioned (slight incline)

Pregnancy-Safe Brightening Facial

Designed to gently enhance glow without risk.

  • Vitamin C
  • Licorice root
  • Niacinamide
  • Hydration-focused care and SPF education

Quick Reference: Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safety at PURE Cosmetic Center

Below is a simplified overview of what treatments are generally considered safe, unsafe, or should be postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

During Pregnancy

Generally Safe

  • Custom pregnancy-safe facial (non-active products, gentle extractions, hydration only)
  • Facial lymphatic massage (face only)

Avoid / Not Recommended

  • Neurotoxins (Botox®, Dysport®, etc.)
  • Dermal fillers, Sculptra®, Hylenex®
  • Laser and energy devices: BBL®, Halo®, Moxi®, ProFrac®, TRL®, Sofwave®
  • Hydrafacial®
  • Microneedling
  • Chemical peels
  • Full-body lymphatic massage
  • CoolSculpting®
  • Weight loss injections

While Breastfeeding

Use With Caution / Often Best to Delay

  • BBL® (higher risk of melasma and skin sensitivity)
  • Moxi® (generally safe but results may be suboptimal)
  • Halo®, ProFrac®, TRL® (spot only; healing and collagen response may be slower)

Avoid / Not Recommended

  • Neurotoxins
  • Dermal fillers, Sculptra®, Hylenex®
  • Hydrafacial®
  • Microneedling
  • Chemical peels
  • Full-body lymphatic massage
  • CoolSculpting®
  • Weight loss injections
  • Sofwave®
  • Full-face TRL®

Medspa Services & Pregnancy Safety

SAFE During Pregnancy

  • Facial lymphatic massage
  • Custom facials using non-active products, gentle extractions, and hydration only

UNSAFE During Pregnancy

  • Neurotoxins (Botox®, Dysport®, etc.)
  • Dermal fillers, Sculptra®, Hylenex®
  • Laser and energy devices: BBL®, Halo®, Moxi®, ProFrac®, TRL®, Sofwave®
  • Hydrafacial®
  • Microneedling
  • Chemical peels
  • Full-body lymphatic massage
  • CoolSculpting®
  • Weight loss injections

Breastfeeding: What’s Safe, What to Delay

USE WITH CAUTION While Breastfeeding

These treatments are not considered harmful but may yield suboptimal results due to hormonal changes:

  • BBL® – Generally safe, but not recommended due to increased risk of melasma and skin sensitivity
  • Moxi® – Considered generally safe as a superficial laser
  • Halo®, ProFrac®, TRL® (spot only) – Tissue repair and collagen production may be slower during breastfeeding

For best outcomes, many patients choose to wait until breastfeeding is complete.

UNSAFE During Breastfeeding

  • Neurotoxins
  • Dermal fillers, Sculptra®, Hylenex®
  • Hydrafacial®
  • Microneedling
  • Chemical peels
  • Full-body lymphatic massage
  • CoolSculpting®
  • Weight loss injections
  • Sofwave®
  • Full-face TRL®

Numbing Medications & Breastfeeding

  • Topical BLT: Generally safe when used on intact skin and kept away from the breast/nipple area
  • Benzocaine: Limited studies; considered low risk when used on small areas without systemic absorption
  • Injectable Lidocaine (plain or with epinephrine): Considered breastfeeding-safe

Why PURE Cosmetic Center

At PURE Cosmetic Center, our licensed providers take a conservative, medically guided approach to treating pregnant and breastfeeding patients. Every service is carefully reviewed for ingredient safety, treatment depth, and physiological impact. When in doubt, we prioritize postponement and protection.

We work closely with our patients to coordinate care with their OB-GYN or primary provider whenever appropriate.

Final Thoughts

Your skin deserves care—but during pregnancy and breastfeeding, less is often more. Gentle, hydrating, and calming treatments can support your skin while prioritizing safety. We encourage open communication with both your medical provider and our licensed professionals so we can create a treatment plan that is right for you.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a consultation, our team at PURE Cosmetic Center is always happy to help.

Your beauty is a symphony. Don’t trust it to anyone less than a true performer and a master at his craft. Chelmsford and Boston plastic surgeon, Dr. Dave Lee brings the virtuosity of a concert pianist and the artistry of a renowned plastic surgeon to each procedure. Schedule a consultation today to discover why patients across New England are singing the praises of Dr. Lee and his staff at PURE Cosmetic Center.

Boston:
400 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02215

Chelmsford:
15 Village Square
Chelmsford, MA 01824

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