Lip fillers are more than a passing fad. The recent rise in the procedure’s popularity has opened discussion about whether women can safely get lip fillers while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are considering this procedure, it is better to err on the side of caution to prevent any risks or harm to you and your child.
What Are Fillers?
Often referred to as dermal fillers, fillers are a non-surgical treatment used to rejuvenate areas of the face to improve appearance. Dermal fillers are made of a gel-like substance that absorbs under the skin over time. Dermal fillers have only been approved by the FDA for use in adults over the age of 21.
Risks and Side Effects
Common side effects of this procedure include swelling or bruising. However, if the injection is improperly administered into a blood vessel, it can lead to loss of blood supply or tissue death. Regardless of the location of the injection site, the fluctuation of hormones during pregnancy can lead to swelling and blood flow issues for the mother.
Because of the risks associated with this procedure, it’s important that fillers are injected by a licensed healthcare provider who is trained in plastic surgery.
So, Are Lip Fillers Safe When Pregnant?
According to a review of safety of cosmetic procedures conducted by the National Institute of Health, there is no reported data on the safety of fillers during pregnancy. Furthermore, products like Juvederm, a common dermal filler brand, are recognized as Class C drug for pregnant patients. This means that studies have shown harmful effects to animal fetuses, or there are no controlled studies on women.
The lack of information on this subject is a primary reason why credible doctors DO NOT recommend this treatment after pregnancy.
Also consider that most lip fillers have other ingredients in them, such as mild local anesthetics. If you happen to be allergic to one of these, or one of the main ingredients, it could be that much more difficult to treat an adverse reaction while pregnant.
So, unless you can know 100% what is in the injection, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
What About the Safety of Lip Fillers While Breastfeeding?
Similar to pregnant patients, there have not been clinical trials on the safety of dermal fillers on patients who are breastfeeding. It is therefore generally recommended that patients wait until they are done breastfeeding before undergoing this procedure.
Consult Your Doctor to Determine if Lip Fillers are Right for You
During pregnancy, it is actually common for parts of the body to swell. Because of increased hormones and blood flow this can lead to swelling in the face, including to one’s lips. This natural side effect might be a welcome surprise to pregnant patients considering lip fillers!
In general, it’s important to first consult with your OBGYN before undergoing or scheduling any medical procedure. That includes non-surgical treatments at a medical spa.
If you want to learn more about dermal fillers, the potential side effects or risks, please call our office at 201-444-9522. Someone from our team will be happy to answer your questions and provide more information.
