Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels Safe During Pregnancy?

Question

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

You should not do a chemical peel while pregnant since the effect on your unborn is unknown.
Microdermabrasion is likely ok, but you typically get SPF and hydrocortisone after the treatment, so I'd hold off on both till the baby arrives.
Best regards.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Microdermabrasion is a method of mechanical exfoliation and is safe during pregnancy. Chemical peels, on the other hand, are a generic class of medications with varying safety profiles during pregnancy. I would recommend to my patients to avoid chemical peels unless they have an established and documented safety profile during pregnancy. These questions should be addressed with your treating physician.

Scott Chapin, MD, FACS · Answer

There are many
opinions regarding the topic if non-invasive treatments are safe during
pregnancy.  To be safe many doctors will
recommend waiting until after pregnancy to eliminate any potential risks.  Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive
exfoliation method that removes and vacuum dead skin cells from the skin
revealing fresh, healthy skin and does not pose any threat to an unborn
baby.  However, chemical peels are more
controversial because some believe it is possible for the peeling agents to
systemically absorb in the body and that even a low amount could be harmful to
the fetus.  Also, melanocytes in the skin
are often effected by pregnancy and many women develop melasma, often known as
the mask of pregnancy. Therefore, chemical peels during pregnancy would pose an
increased risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.  I would advise to wait until the pregnancy is
over before using chemical peels.

Donna Bilu Martin, MD · Answer

I'd recommend to wait until after pregnancy/nursing to perform any elective cosmetic procedures.  Pigment production is increased in pregnancy (the mask of pregnancy or melasma) and any extra inflammation could rev up more pigment.  Also, certain chemicals used in peels, such as salicylic acid, are not recommended during pregnancy/nursing because of unknown effects on the baby.

Bryan K. Chen, MD · Answer

I would not recommend chemical peels for pregnant women.  Although systemic absorption of chemical peeling agents is low, it is not zero.  Microdermabrasion itself is likely safe, but other topicals frequently used in association with microdermabrasion are not recommended, so you would probably be better off delaying microdermabrasion as well.  Hypothetically if something were to go wrong with your pregnancy (related to a cosmetic procedure or not), you would not want to be in the position of second-guessing your decision.
Good luck.

Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels Safe During Pregnancy?

Answers (10)

Answer: Wait until after baby

Answer: Wait until after baby

Answer: MIcrodermabrasion and peels during pregnancy

Answer: MIcrodermabrasion and peels during pregnancy

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Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels Safe During Pregnancy?

Answers (10)

Answer: Wait until after baby

Answer: Wait until after baby

Answer: MIcrodermabrasion and peels during pregnancy

Answer: MIcrodermabrasion and peels during pregnancy

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Microdermabrasion

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.