Facial for pregnancy – is it safe? This is what we will explore in this article.
Pregnancy is a big deal, and it’s easy to feel guilty about what you give up when expecting. But we’re here to tell you: you don’t have to give up everything! You can still look great, feel great, and take good care of your skin during pregnancy—and facials are one of the best ways to do that.
In this post, we’ll discuss some of the different kinds of facials available and which ones are safe during pregnancy.
Is It Safe to Do Facial During Pregnancy
The answer is yes! Facials are safe for pregnant women if the facialist uses clean and sterile equipment. If you choose to get a facial during your pregnancy, ensure that your massage and skincare professional is familiar with the needs of pregnant women.
Your skin will change during pregnancy—you may experience dryness, acne breakouts, or increased skin sensitivity. You may also experience changes in your hair growth patterns and oil production on your face and body. Your massage and skin care professional should be able to customise their treatment plan according to your individual needs.
Image courtesy: iStock
Is Facial for Pregnancy for Everyone
Facial for pregnancy is a safe and natural way to improve skin during your pregnancy. But does it work for everyone?
The answer is yes, but not all skin types are the same. Facials for pregnancy are safe during any stage of your pregnancy, but they may not work in the same way for everyone.
You may have heard that pregnant women should avoid certain ingredients in beauty products because they could cause health problems or even birth defects. However, many facial treatments, including facial steams and masks, are safe to use during pregnancy.
If you’re wondering whether you can get a facial during pregnancy, read more about this popular beauty treatment!
Benefits of Having Facial for Pregnancy
A facial can help keep your skin looking healthy and glowing throughout your pregnancy in several ways:
- Facial for pregnancy help cleanse your pores and remove dead skin cells, which helps prevent clogged pores from acne and breakouts.
- It helps increase blood flow to the face and neck by stimulating circulation with warm towels or steam. This helps with collagen production, making your skin look firmer as it stretches during pregnancy.
- It removes excess oil buildup on your skin’s surface (which can happen due to hormonal changes), which will help prevent acne breakouts that leave scars on your face as well as allow airflow into the pores, so they don’t get too oily over time (which makes them more prone to bacterial infections like rosacea).
A facial for pregnancy can be enhanced with the use of Clarins Double Serum, a skincare product that helps firm and tighten the skin, reducing the appearance of visible expression lines. Its ability to restore the skin’s natural radiance and diminish the appearance of pores makes it an ideal addition to your skincare routine during pregnancy.
What Kind of Facial Is Safe During Pregnancy
We all want to look our best, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the sake of our health and the health of our babies.
One thing that many women are afraid to do during pregnancy is to get a facial. They’re worried about whether or not facial for pregnancy is safe for their skin, but it turns out there are plenty of safe ways to get your glow on.
Your body craves some form of relaxation that can give you a sense of wellness and better sleep. Facials are a great way to relax and pamper yourself during pregnancy. But are all facials safe? Let’s find out.
Facial for Pregnancy: Common Facial Treatments
During pregnancy and postpartum, your skin may be more sensitive than usual. To help you maintain a healthy glow, we’ve compiled a list of the most common facial treatments for pregnancy. According to WebMD, here are the common facial treatments for pregnancy:
Shaving is a common treatment for pregnancy, and it’s especially popular as you get further along in your pregnancy. It’s also one of the easiest ways to keep your skin looking its best during this time, so it can be a great option for any woman who wants to stay on top of her beauty routine while also taking care of her body.
Shaving might seem like a new idea if you’ve never done it before, but once you get the hang of it and see how easy it is, we think you’ll love it! And don’t worry—we’ve got all the tips and tricks to make shaving during pregnancy effective and super enjoyable.
Waxing is a common treatment for many women during pregnancy, but it’s important to know the risks to make an informed decision. Also, waxing involves applying warm wax to the skin and then removing it quickly, removing the hair. Professional aestheticians do waxing in salons, but at-home kits are also available.
There have been concerns about the safety of waxing during pregnancy because of the risk of infection and scarring. However, there have been no studies showing that waxing causes any harm to a fetus or newborn baby when done by a qualified professional.
Some experts recommend avoiding waxing if you have open wounds on your body since they can become infected if they come into contact with hot wax. Also, avoid using over-the-counter hair removal creams or lotions on your face because they don’t work as well as professional products and can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some women (and men).
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a popular treatment for all skin types, but it can be especially beneficial during pregnancy. This treatment helps to tighten and firm the skin, reduce redness, clear your pores, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Cryotherapy works by applying extreme cold to your skin for a short period (usually about 30 seconds), which causes it to contract and become tighter. When combined with other treatments like micro-dermabrasion or exfoliation, cryotherapy can help clear clogged pores and brighten your complexion.
If you’re considering trying out this treatment during pregnancy, check with your doctor first: they’ll have plenty of information about how long you can safely undergo cryotherapy and what kinds of side effects you should look out for.
Depilatory creams
Depilatory creams are a popular treatment for unwanted facial hair. They work by dissolving the hair shaft, which can be used on coarse and fine hairs.
Depilatory creams are applied to clean and dry skin in the direction of hair growth, then left on for the recommended time before rinsing off, taking care not to get any product in your eyes or mouth.
Some women use depilatory creams during pregnancy because they are easy to apply, inexpensive, and do not require a prescription. However, it’s important to note that these products are harmful if swallowed and should be avoided by anyone with sensitive skin or who has experienced a reaction from using them in the past.
Image source: iStock
Snipping skin tags
Skin tags are usually found where the skin rubs against clothing or other skin. Skin tags are benign growths that can be removed easily and painlessly. You can also use home remedies to remove them. Do not squeeze or cut off your skin tags, which may lead to infection.
Facial for Pregnancy: What Products Can You Not Use
When you’re pregnant, the last thing you want to worry about is whether a product is safe for your baby. But unfortunately, there are some things that you should avoid if you’re trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant. According to Healthline, here’s the list of products that can’t be used during facial treatments while pregnant:
- retin-A, retinol, and retinyl palmitate
- hydroquinone
- trichloroacetic
- benzoyl Peroxide
- tazorac and Accutane
- aluminum chloride
- formaldehyde
- chemical sunscreens
- tetracycline
- dihydroxyacetone
Facial for Pregnancy: What Facial Treatments Should Be Avoided
Facial treatments are a great way to relax and pamper yourself, but some should be avoided during pregnancy.
One of the best things about pregnancy is the opportunity to take care of yourself. Whether that means indulging in some extra-fancy skincare or just taking a long bath with some nice-smelling salts, there’s no doubt that many women look forward to this time in their lives—and why not? It’s when you can focus all your energy on looking good and feeling great!
But some facial treatments should be avoided during pregnancy because they may pose health risks to both mum and baby. Pregnancy is an important period in which women must be careful about what they’re putting on their skin—and inside their bodies.
Here are some common facial treatments that should be avoided during pregnancy:
This is a treatment where a diamond-tipped wand is used to abrade the outermost skin layer. It’s often used to treat acne scars, brown spots, and fine lines, but it can be very harsh on your skin if you have sensitive or dry skin.
During pregnancy, your skin is more prone to irritation and inflammation than usual, so microdermabrasion may cause more redness, itching, and swelling in addition to other side effects like hives and eczema.
Laser treatments
Laser hair removal damages the hair follicle, preventing new hairs from growing back. It’s best not to have this procedure done during pregnancy because you might experience increased sensitivity to pain and increased bleeding during and after treatment. Laser treatments for the face can be effective, but there are some risks to consider.
While lasers are considered safe for most people, some women may not be able to use them during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before having any laser treatment done on your face.
This is because lasers heat the skin and cause burns or scarring if misused. The risk of burning depends on the type of laser used, how much energy is focused on one area, and how long it is left on your skin.
In addition to these risks, certain types of laser treatments may also increase your risk of developing melasma (dark patches on your face) during pregnancy or breastfeeding because they increase blood flow in the treated areas.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels are a type of skin treatment that helps to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. They are usually done by applying an acid or another chemical to the face, followed by a neutralizing solution.
Although chemical peels can be quite effective at improving the appearance of your skin, it is important to avoid getting them during pregnancy because they can cause complications for your unborn child.
Chemical peels can cause irritation on the skin, which could result in premature birth or miscarriage if you’re pregnant. In addition, some chemicals are used in chemical peels that can cause developmental problems for babies exposed to them while in the womb.
Collagen injections
Collagen injections are a facial treatment that should be avoided during pregnancy. Moreover, collagen is the protein that holds our skin together, and collagen injections involve injecting the patient with a solution made from collagen. This can lead to inflammation and irritation in the skin, which may cause scarring or discolouration.
Collagen injections are also known for causing allergic reactions in some patients, and there is no way to predict who might experience this side effect. It’s just not worth risking it!
What Is Radiofrequency Facial?
There are different kinds of facials and cosmetic treatments in Singapore to help women meet their skin requirements, and radiofrequency is one of them. It has become increasingly popular in recent years for its benefits of skin tightening and softening smile lines.
Even though it is a non-surgical procedure, you may wonder if it is safe to try out radiofrequency facials during pregnancy. We will come to it, but first, let us understand what radiofrequency facial is.
Radiofrequency is energy measured in “frequency,” or wavelengths per second. All types of energy, from the sound waves your iPod emits to highly radioactive gamma rays, are classified according to their frequency on the “electromagnetic spectrum.”
Radiofrequency (RF) is one category on this spectrum, and it includes many common energy types we use every day, for instance, WiFi signals or microwave ovens.
RF technology, also popularly known as the non-surgical facelift, has since been commonly used for non-invasive skin tightening facials in South East Asia.
The procedure involves using energy waves to heat the deep layer of your skin. This heat stimulates the production of collagen, the most common protein in your body and gives your skin its firmness. As you age, your cells produce less collagen, which leads to sagging skin and wrinkles. The procedure normally takes less than an hour and is mostly painless.
However, many doctors and aesthetic specialists do not recommend radiofrequency facials during pregnancy. Here’s why.
Is Radiofrequency Facial During Pregnancy Safe
Radiofrequency radiation is about 100 million times slower than visible light and 1 billion times slower than an X-ray. Still, the radiofrequency’s lower frequency can penetrate much more than lasers, activating the soft tissues from under the skin to boost skin tone and texture and lift tissues.
According to a report published in IDS Clinic Singapore, radiofrequency facials are unsuitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is also unsafe for people with a pacemaker or metal implants, as they may cause potentially hazardous interference with the radiofrequency waves.
There are also some known side effects of RF. Some patients may also experience post-treatment redness, swelling, and tingling sensations which tend to be mild and temporary.
Generally, laser treatments or other energy-based procedures such as HIFU or radiofrequency skin tightening during gestation are not advisable. It is likely due to the lack of evidence on their effects on the foetus.
Radiofrequency Precautions During Pregnancy
WHO recommends distancing from mobile phones during pregnancy due to the harmful radiation. | Image courtesy: Stock Photos
The radiation used during the RF procedure is similar to the radiation emitted from common household devices like cell phones.
As you know, the World Health Organisation recommends distancing from mobile phones during pregnancy due to harmful radiation. That’s because mobile phones and cordless phones emit RF radiation during use. The brain is the main target organ for RF emissions from the handheld wireless phone.
While there is no specific legislation regulating cell phone use in Singapore, gynaecologists recommend that babies and children not use mobile phones. More than two hundred doctors, scientists, and public health experts worldwide have come together to voice their concerns about the possibility of risk from wireless radiation and advise pregnant women to reduce their exposure.
It is also not recommended if you are breastfeeding.
That’s because young children and babies absorb radio waves at a significantly higher rate than adults, according to research from the Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure (JMAU). Infants and toddlers have smaller skulls and more absorbent brain tissue. Plus, exposure to radio waves results in the degeneration of the protective sheath. It protects the brain nerves of the foetuses.
The American Cancer Society and Federal Communications Commission have also issued extensive reports on the possible impact of radiofrequency exposure. According to the FCC:
“While some experimental data have suggested a possible link between exposure and tumour formation in animals [male rats] exposed under certain specific conditions [9 hours of daily exposure], the results have not been independently replicated.
Many other studies have failed to find evidence for a link to cancer or any related condition.”
While there are very few risks, as radiofrequency skin tightening treatments are controlled when in the hands of an experienced therapist or doctor, during pregnancy, even the best aesthetic treatment facilities do not recommend it. No point in taking such a huge risk. Right? Instead, it would be best if you tried other safer options.
Safe Alternatives To Radiofrequency Facial During Pregnancy
Medical facials help to cleanse, soothe, and hydrate delicate skin due to hormonal changes. And a successful pampering facial session can surely help de-stress a pregnant woman. So if you are considering one, here are some safe facial options.
- Tropical facial: This includes cleansing, toning, exfoliation (with optional steam), massaging, masking, moisturisation and eye care.
- Hydrating facials: These facials use Collagen, elastin, and water to hydrate, moisturise, and cleanse the skin.
- Deep cleansing facials These basic facials include exfoliation, masks, and moisturising. Deep cleansing facials are safe and can reduce your oil levels.
- Oxygen facials These facials can help increase blood circulation and reduce fine lines or wrinkles
When pregnant, facials can seem calming, but only as long as you do it the right way. It’s also important to consider which self-care techniques are the best and which to prevent.
Instead, a balanced diet and a good skincare routine can go a long way to keep your body and skin in good shape during pregnancy. And you can always restart face and body aesthetic procedures after your child is a little older or as your doctor advises.
Updated by Pheona Ilagan
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
