Breast Milk and Restylane

Question

There have been no studies done on Restalyn and breast feeding. It suprises me, since there is obviously a need for new mothers to want to maintain their youthful look. I don't see the harm in Restalyn and breast feeding, being that the substance is natural and is expected to remain at the localized site. But just like all concerned mother's, we should confirm this. Where Can I Send the Breast Milk to Be Tested After Restylane? I would like to know if there are any trace amounts that make it into the breastmilk and if so, how can it possibly harm the child?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Dear Avargas

	It is very likely to be perfectly safe.  However, it is not reasonable or prudent.  It is not worth taking even a tiny risk with your baby to have Restylane while breast feeding.  It is not likely that we will ever have an answer for this because, unlike BOTOX which is medically necessary, there is not reason to using restylane filler while breast feeding.  BOTOX is used for important medically necessary indications, and it is possible that a doctor and patient may elect to use BOTOX off-label while pregnant or breast feeding.  Over time this created a body of experience with treatments in this time frame.  However, no one will be undertaking this type of study when the only reason to be using the product is to make mom look better-sorry.  FInish breast feeding and then we will get you treated, mom.  Please do not lie to your doctor about the breast feeding, you will feel devastated should something untoward happen to your baby.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Although it does not appear theoretically to be a problem to give Restylane to pregnant women or those who are breast feeding, as it is a natural substance in the human body, the FDA would not approve such a study because of the liabilities.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Avargas.  Unfortunately, we don't have a recommendation for you for a lab to do a test, but we would doubt that if you did find a lab to test for this that you would find any traces in the breast milk.

	As Dr. Persky has pointed out, this is not just about safety, it's about liability.  Most, if not all, practical physicians know that there is legal risk performing any elective procedure on a pregnant woman and will not do it because we live in a litigious society.  Even if you find a physician to inject you, we would still recommend waiting until you are done breastfeeding just to be sure.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Avar,

	You bring up an excellent topic.  The medical-legal climate today is too volatile for any physician in their right mind to do anything to a breast feeding mother, or to a pregnant woman.  You obviously have been treated.  If my wife, breastfeeding my child wished to have Restylane I would not hesitate to treat her.  If anything should happen to either the baby or mother after Restylane injections, even though totally unrelated, some attorney, somewhere will file suit.

	I am not aware of any lab that you can send your breast milk to and have it analyzed for hyaluronic acid (empirically I'd predict that there will not be any).  If your infants lips begin to get too pouty, perhaps you should back off at that point.

	Thanks for the "breast" question of the day here on RealSelf.

	Good luck, be well, and enjoy your baby.

	Dr. P

Ted Brezel, MD · Answer

There are no studies on the safety of Restylane (or any other filler) in nursing women.  It is unlikely that the company would be willing or would be allowed to perform such as study since the benefit is minimal and the liability is unlimited.  It is unlikely to have any effect but I would advise you holding off for now.  I don't know of any lab that does testing for Restylane in breast milk.

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Answer: Breast Milk and Restylane...."Breast" Question of the Day on RealSelf

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