Considering the many changes that occur during pregnancy, it’s perfectly natural to worry about the possibility of skin changes like melasma, stretch marks, or breakouts. So, what do you do?
You go searching for a preventive solution and discover microneedling as a potentially effective solution. Yes, microneedling can maintain your skin tone, texture, and firmness after pregnancy, but it is generally discouraged during pregnancy.
Some skincare professionals argue that you can microneedle parts not close to the womb or breasts. Nonetheless, it’s best to avoid microneedling while pregnant for various reasons. Keep exploring to the end to find out why and the suitable alternatives.
We’ve also gone over the steps to take if you’ve already done microneedling at home while pregnant.
Why Should You Avoid Microneedling During Pregnancy
1. Limited research on its effects on pregnant women
Even though microneedling is effective on cosmetic concerns like acne scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks, few studies have explored the safety of microneedling for pregnant women.
While pregnant, you experience both physiological and psychological changes due to hormonal fluctuations. For instance, your skin becomes susceptible to irritation and skin tone changes. Moreover, you may go through mood swings, anxiety, depression, or even cognitive changes.
Generally, physiological changes make your skin more reactive and prone to complications while psychological changes leave you vulnerable to indecisiveness. So, since there is minimal to no definitive research on these changes and how to handle them, aestheticians prefer to take a cautious approach.
2. Greater risk of infection
During pregnancy, the body naturally suppresses the immune system to prevent it from rejecting the growing fetus as it is genetically distinct. This leaves you vulnerable to even minor infections.
So, since microneedling involves the disruption of your skin’s protective barrier, it increases the risks of infection as the micro-pathways resulting from microneedling may serve as entry points for infection-causing bacteria.
Even when carried out in a sterile environment, using sterilized equipment, your practitioner cannot entirely eliminate bacteria. Even a minor infection is likely to escalate into a serious one.
Remember, treating various infections while pregnant is challenging. That’s because most of the standard antibiotics or treatments are usually unsafe for the developing fetus. This limits the available approaches for medical experts to help, further complicating the whole situation.
3. Heightened skin sensitivity
Due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, your skin’s sensitivity rises. This increases the risks of adverse reactions as your skin’s tolerance to microneedling reduces.
Sensitive skin means you’d find it challenging to handle the repetitive pricking during the microneedling procedure. Moreover, after microneedling, you are more likely to experience pronounced redness and irritation.
Using topical products would also become uncomfortable due to the intense reaction of your skin to the active ingredients in the products. This may discourage you from using aftercare products, slowing down the healing process and increasing vulnerability to infection.
4. Pigmentation problems
In addition to heightened skin sensitivity, hormonal changes while pregnant may also cause pigmentation issues. One common concern is melasma or “mask of pregnancy.”
Melasma occurs when hormonal changes trigger the overproduction of melanin, especially on your face. It manifests as darkened patches on various parts of your body other than the face.
Despite microneedling’s ability to resolve melasma, it can further intensify the issue. Instead of triggering the skin’s natural healing process to clear melasma, the punctures can easily trigger the skin’s melanocytes to overgenerate melanin, complicating melasma treatment.
5. Topical products possibly causing birth defects
During microneedling, your practitioner will use various topical products to enhance the desired results. However, there is great uncertainty when it comes to specifying what effects the topical products may have on a developing fetus.
A good example is skin-rejuvenating or anti-aging serums containing retinoids. Whether taken orally or absorbed through the skin, retinoids can cause birth defects. Although the micro-pathways due to microneedling absorb lower amounts of retinoids, it is still a concern.
Skincare professionals also raise questions about the potential impact of pregnancy-safe serums. This is because microneedling generally improves your skin’s permeability, facilitating deeper penetration of these serums.
Although termed as pregnancy-safe, there are still medical concerns over the effect of combining the active ingredients in the serums.
So, if you are not advised to microneedle while pregnant despite the existence of pregnancy-safe topical products, how about after giving birth. Let’s find out.
Can I Safely Microneedle While Breastfeeding?
Even after giving birth, your body still undergoes significant hormonal shifts. Therefore, it is generally not safe to microneedle while breastfeeding, as just like in pregnant women, there’s little to no research on microneedling’s effects on lactating mothers.
Due to the hormonal changes, your skin is still sensitive during breastfeeding. This means microneedling carries the risk of increased redness or irritation, including other adverse reactions that may complicate the healing process.
Moreover, the use of topical treatments during the procedure is still not safe while breastfeeding. Experts fear the possibility of the product’s ingredients like retinoids, vitamin C, or hyaluronic acid seeping deep into the skin and entering the bloodstream. Once in the blood, there is a likelihood of adverse effects, deeming the topical treatments unsafe.
Not forgetting, microneedling can also pave the way for infections that may disrupt breastfeeding. This is because, while breastfeeding, your immune system is also slightly suppressed and it is unable to fight off some infections.
Compromised breastfeeding may result in the baby missing out on crucial nutrients. This is because the medication used to address most infections may affect lactation. Hence, the right time to go ahead with a microneedling procedure is after childbirth and breastfeeding.
Meanwhile, do this to keep your skin hydrated and healthy during the two periods.
So, How Do I Maintain My Skin’s Radiance?
1. Opt for mild skincare routines that focus on moisturizing
Maintaining healthy skin moisture levels can alleviate potential skin issues like irritation, dryness, and hyperpigmentation. If you don’t moisturize your skin while pregnant or breastfeeding, the hormonal changes might exacerbate these issues, leading to more cosmetic concerns like fine lines, larger pigmented patches, and wrinkles.
Use mild topical products with moisturizing ingredients such as ceramide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin well-hydrated. They hydrate your skin without causing irritation.
Another good alternative is aloe vera gel. It hydrates and soothes skin, calming irritated skin and moisturizing skin without clogging the pores. You can also combine aloe vera with natural oils like almond and coconut oil to improve your skin’s elasticity and possibly reduce the visibility of stretch marks.
If feasible, acquire a humidifier to maintain moisture levels at home. Moisturized air helps sustain your skin’s moisture levels, mostly during the winter or in a dry climate.
2. Limit your time in the sun
Although sun basking can improve blood circulation, boost your immune system, and is a good source of Vitamin D, it is best to limit the time you spend in direct sunlight during pregnancy. This is because prolonged exposure to UV (Ultraviolet) rays can trigger or worsen hyperpigmentation, specifically melasma.
UV triggers melasma by overstimulating your skin’s melanocytes, pushing them to produce extra melanin. The melanin accumulates on your skin surface, forming patches of different sizes. With continued exposure of the pigmented areas to UV, melasma spreads to other sections of the skin and becomes more permanent.
Therefore, it is critical to spend less time in the sun and while at it, ensure you have sunscreen on. Get sunscreen with physical blockers like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, and SPF of 30 plus. This sunscreen protects your skin from both UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B) rays, and at the same time reflect UV without infiltrating your skin.
Besides applying sunscreen, consider putting on wide-brimmed hats, protective wear, and spend most of your time outside under shade.
3. Rely on safe-for-pregnancy products only to handle skin changes
Before including a product into your skincare routine, do thorough research, and in case you doubt the safety of a product, consult a certified professional.
Safe-for-pregnancy products are free from harmful ingredients and gentle on your skin. Moreover, If you use cleansers, opt for mild and fragrance-free ones to avoid stripping your skin’s natural oils.
To address acne, use products with low concentration of benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid. Additionally, avoid products with harsh ingredients like salicylic acid or retinoids and if you are using masks, use those with chamomile, hyaluronic acid, or cucumber to hydrate skin instead of those with harmful constituents like sulfates and parabens.
Finally, keep in mind that high-doses of vitamin A or retinoids can harm the developing fetus. So, use plant-based alternatives like bakuchiol to get the desired anti-aging effects.
4. Stick to mild exfoliation options
To improve skin texture, minimize the chances of adverse reactions by using gentle physical exfoliators. These work by gently buffing away dead skin cells with the help of soft, non-abrasive particles. Compared to harsh chemical exfoliators such as hydroxy acids, physical exfoliants do not irritate skin.
Enzyme-based exfoliators are also a good choice. They are made from the enzymes of fruits like pineapple or papaya, making them safe for use while pregnant. In contrast to physical exfoliators, enzyme-based ones break down the bonds holding dead skin cells in place, making it easier for your skin to shed the dead cells.
5. Review your dietary habits
During pregnancy, ensure you are having a balanced diet and hydrating enough. Therefore, incorporate fruits and vegetables with antioxidants and vitamins, including vitamin C into your diet. They support skin renewal and repair by combating free radicals.
You can also have walnuts, flaxseeds, or salmon as they contain omega-3 fatty acids critical for skin elasticity. Additionally, they keep inflammation in check, promoting a radiant and smooth complexion.
Take sufficient amounts of water each day to keep skin cells hydrated and reduce the occurrence of skin problems like breakouts and dryness. Staying hydrated also aids your body to flush out toxins like metabolic waste products.
Overall, changing your lifestyle to avoid meals likely to lead to breakouts and taking time to workout helps keep your skin in shape. However, if you happen to have already microneedled at home, here is what to do.
How Should I Proceed if I’ve Microneedled at Home?
Even though most of the effects of microneedling on the developing fetus are speculated, they can turn out worse especially in the first trimester. This is because the fetus actively develops during this phase and introducing undesired substances like retinoids may lead to defects.
If you realize you are pregnant after undergoing a professional microneedling session, have a medical professional examine you.
The potential of professional microneedling unleashing potentially negative effects on the fetus or you are greater compared to at-home microneedling. This is because it involves deeper skin puncturing and the use of potent topical treatments.
Conclusion
Microneedling’s effectiveness on stretch marks, melasma, acne scars, and other cosmetic concerns is well-researched and documented. However, there is scarce research on its potential effects during pregnancy.
This is one of the reasons a certified expert would say no to offering you microneedling services if you are pregnant. Instead, the skincare professional would advise you to prioritize the fetus’ safety by using gentle exfoliators, hydrating more, and reviewing your diet instead.
Remember, microneedling is safer after childbirth and breastfeeding. Meanwhile, stick to avoiding the treatment and any other cosmetic procedure bound to lead to complications.
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