Can I get Subcision while breastfeeding?

Question

Hello doctor! I have approximately 15 shallow rolling and teathered acne scars on my cheeks and chin that I believe would benefit from subcision. They bother me so much and I would like to work on them as soon as I can. I am however, breastfeeding and am wondering if there would be any reason a doctor wouldn't want to do this procedure if I continue nursing. I understand that it would be advisable to "pump and dump" after the anesthesia. What is your take on this? Thanks!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You need a cosmetic dermatologist who specializes in acne scarring/pigmentation and does a combination of treatments including: surgery, subcision, or TCA cross for deep or pitted "ice pick" scars; fillers like Bellafill or Sculptra or Radiesse for broad "boxcar" or "rolling" scars; Eclipse Micropen for all types of scars and improvement in texture and tone; lasers such as co2 laser resurfacing or Fraxel/Clear+Brilliant or radiofrequency such as Sublative or Viva to improve the scars and give long term collagen production. There are many options but you want someone who can customize a regimen for your short and long term goals based on your individual situation. During pregnancy I would avoid cosmetic treatments, but during breast feeding it shouldn't be an issue.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

It should go without saying that the only procedures that should be performed during pregnancy and nursing are those that are essential for health reasons. That having been said, a procedure like subcision, which I have been performing for over two decades, in my opinion, poses so little risk that I had no problems performing it on my wife and daughters-in-law at those particular times in their lives. For one thing, except for the local anesthetic (and usually this is given in very small amounts for acne scars), subcision is an entirely natural technique that requires the addition of no foreign substances. For its success, it depends upon the body's natural wound healing mechanisms to produce native collagen (neocollagenesis) as a response to the treatment. And "pump and dump" for the most part essentially addresses any concern about potential for any local anesthetic to diffuse into the breast milk. Of course, you should check with your own physician before proceeding.

Ramona Behshad, MD · Answer

Minor skin procedures are safe to perform during breastfeeding. The main risks are related to the local anesthetic. As long as the "pump and dump" suggestion is respected, subcision does not pose risks to the infant/child.

Can I get Subcision while breastfeeding?

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Can I get Subcision while breastfeeding?

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Everything you need to know about Subcision

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