At Tattoo MD, we often get patient inquiries regarding treatment during pregnancy or breast-feeding.  Patients want to know if they can get a tattoo removed during pregnancy or get Botox while breast-feeding, etc.  The answer to this is often “no,” but not for obvious reasons.  Laser tattoo removal, for instance, is avoided during both breast-feeding pregnancy.  Research has generally not been done to prove that any such procedures are not safe or vice-versa.  We generally follow the principle that if any chemicals could be produced or added that are not normally present in the body, then we avoid the procedure during this time.

For instance, laser tattoo removal breaks tattoo pigments into smaller components and mobilizes them to distant sites away from where the tattoo is.  Although it is not known whether these pigments could cross the placenta or enter breast-milk, we assume that it’s possible.  Laser hair removal by itself does not introduce any foreign chemicals but topical anesthetic cream is used, so it is avoided for that reason.  Botox injections are avoided also, although the chance of causing a problem with a fetus or nursing child is extremely low, since it has never been tested in that setting, and probably never will be.  Injectable fillers, such as Juvederm and Radiesse are composed of natural ingredients, hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite.  However, lidocaine is injected or applied topically, so these are also not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

So what services can we offer during this period?  Actually, quite a few.  Microdermabrasion is completely safe.  It does not introduce anything and works on the surface of the skin.  Sclerotherapy of spider veins is also safe, since it uses natural salt water in minute amounts that are only active locally at the site of injection.  Most of the other estheticiain services, such as waxing, facials and eyelash extensions are safe, but Vi Peels are not done.

To the pregnant or nursing mothers out there - just hang in there!

This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 4:48 pm and is filed under Laser tattoo removal, Laser hair removal, Injectable Fillers, BOTOX, Sclerotherapy, Spa/Facials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.