As women, we have many doubts and confusion during pregnancy. And it gets doubled when we get pregnant while undergoing any other treatments and now we start thinking about whether to take the treatment further or not. One such in line is taking Botox injections used for anti-aging.
In recent times postponing pregnancies until mid-age is unintentionally increasing the exposure of pregnant women to Botox injections. So it’s important to know about Botox, its uses, and its continued treatment. its effect on mother and baby? What to do if pregnant while taking the injections? Let’s discuss.
What is Botox?
Botox (Botulinum toxin-A) is a natural toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is popularly known for causing life-threatening food poisoning. However, this neurotoxin is used in small doses in various medical treatments (1).
What is Botox Used For?
Botox (BTX-A) has many uses in different fields of medicine and cosmetology. Most commonly Botox injections are used in the following treatments (2).
- To treat facial wrinkles
- Heavy sweating in the underarms
- Uncontrolled neck and shoulder muscle contractions.
- Uncontrolled blinking of eyes
- Strabismus-misaligned eyes
- Severe chronic migraines
- Overactive Bladder
Above all, Botox has gained enough popularity in the cosmetic industry for skin care.
Is it Safe to Get Botox During Pregnancy?
If given with care and under proper administration, studies state that botox injections do not cause any harm to the fetus. USFDA categorizes Botox as a Category C drug during pregnancy. There are not enough studies done on pregnant women having botox, but that being said, few studies imply the botox injection does not cross the placenta and does not increase the risk of any adverse outcome in the fetus (3).
Risks of Using Botox During Pregnancy
Botox is generally given intramuscularly in low doses, whether for cosmetic or other medical purposes, as mentioned above. The intention is not to make botox enter the blood circulation which may cause botulism leading to lethal effects and some serious risks due to toxin. If this happens, you may experience the following symptoms
- Sudden loss of muscle strength or experiencing muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
- Drooping of either of the eyelids
- Difficulty in speaking, breathing, and swallowing
- Life-threatening illness with chronic symptoms of botulinum
All the symptoms may gradually develop within days or weeks after injection. And the risks from Botox intoxication are mostly to the mother rather than to the fetus. Further studies are needed to know the risks for the fetus.
Safe Alternatives to Botox for Cosmetic Purposes
The general advice is to stay away from anything that can harm you and your baby. Choosing a better alternative can give us confidence and satisfaction in maintaining healthy skin throughout. Here are some safe and better alternatives to botox
- Hydrating your skin naturally by drinking more water and eating foods rich in antioxidants that provide natural hydration
- Applying good moisturizer multiple times when required can maintain skin elasticity and suppleness
- Anti-aging creams contain vitamins C, E, and lipoic acid. Using chemical peels with lipoic acid and vitamin C is considered safe during pregnancy (4).
- Glycolic acid creams are also considered a safe alternative to Botox in the reduction of wrinkles (4a).
- Other topical creams containing ferulic acid resveratrol are considered safe during pregnancy for anti-aging (4b).
- Last but not least, having a good sleep at night can help increase pregnancy glow in skin.
Any alternatives are to be discussed with the doctor before using them for the safety of you and the fetus.
Botox is a natural neurotoxin produced by Botulinum bacteria. Low doses of this toxin are used for various medical and cosmetic purposes. Having Botox while pregnant is still a debatable question. Though there are studies suggesting Botox molecules don’t cross the placenta having no risk for pregnancy, the studies are quite insufficient to conclude the overall safety of mother and fetus. Seeking better healthy alternatives to skin care can provide beneficial fetomaternal well-being.
FAQ’s
1. What Happens If You Accidentally Get Botox While Pregnant?
It is recommended to stop taking it further. Well, there may be no harm to the baby as such because it does not cross the placenta, having said that there are not enough studies still to know any further risks.
2. What Is The Best Alternative To Botox While Pregnant?
Low concentrated Glycolic acid creams are the best alternatives to Botox while pregnant to reduce wrinkles.
3. When to Stop Botox Before Pregnancy?
It is advised to stop taking Botox a few months before conceiving because once taken the exposure is up to 4 months which is your entire first trimester.
References
- Nigam PK, Nigam A. Botulinum toxin. Indian J Dermatol. 2010;55(1):8-14 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2856357/
- Botox, Medline Plus – https://medlineplus.gov/botox.html
- Tan M, Kim E, Koren G, Bozzo P. Botulinum toxin type A in pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2013 Nov;59(11):1183-4. PMID: 24235190; PMCID: PMC3828093 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3828093/
- Putra IB, Jusuf NK, Dewi NK. Skin Changes and Safety Profile of Topical Products During Pregnancy. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022 Feb;15(2):49-57. PMID: 35309882; PMCID: PMC8884185 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8884185/
