Pregnancy is a magical and happy journey in a woman’s life. There are emotional, spiritual, and physical changes that occur during that period. Due to these changes, some women tend to feel insecure about their bodies. Some women feel the need to enhance or change their features through cosmetic procedures or skin care products.
Cosmetic procedures, such as PDO (polydioxanone) thread lifts, are not recommended during pregnancy. There are physiological, ethical, medical, and psychological factors to consider. Let’s discuss them in detail.
What is a PDO thread lift?
A PDO thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure whereby small, fine, absorbable threads are inserted under the skin. They act by stimulating the production of collagen, which aids in tightening and lifting the skin, giving you that much-desired youthful appearance.
It is considered relatively safe, with minimal downtime required during treatment, and gives natural-looking results. Despite its growing popularity and benefits, it is not advised for pregnant women to undergo the procedure due to certain considerations.
Let’s delve into the details of why it's not advisable to undergo a PDO thread lift procedure while pregnant.
Physiological changes
The body tends to change during pregnancy to prepare for the baby, and some of these changes are not favorable for a PDO Thread lift procedure. Here are a few areas that are affected:
- Hormonal changes.
- Increased blood volume and changes to the vascular system.
- Immune system regulation.
- Fluid retention.
- Tissue changes.
- Skin changes.
Hormonal changes.
During pregnancy, there are significant changes to the body's hormone levels. The hormones most affected are progesterone and estrogen. They are very crucial in the maintenance of the pregnancy as they also affect the skin’s elasticity, healing process and vascularization.
Elevated levels of estrogen can increase the risk of swelling and fluid retention, which compromises post-procedure recovery and wound healing.
Increased progesterone makes the skin sensitive and slows down the healing process, affecting tissue repair and collagen production.
There are also potential risks and complications from the PDO thread lift procedure.
Your safety is much more important and should come first because the procedure can be postponed.
Increased blood volume and changes to the vascular system.
When a woman is pregnant, her blood volume increases to accommodate the foetus' needs. This increases vascularization, which makes the blood vessels more fragile, increasing the risk of bleeding and bruising during and after the PDO thread lift procedure.
This could cause the formation of hematomas and conditions such as varicose veins. It's better to avoid taking such risks because they could affect the pregnancy and potentially risk it.
Protect yourself and your baby.
Immune system regulation.
The effectiveness of the immune system is reduced to accommodate the fetus. These immunological changes reduce the body’s ability to fight infections, leading to increased complications.
Due to the procedure being minimally invasive, there is the risk of the bacteria being introduced during the insertion of the PDO threads. As stated above, there is reduced immunity, so the complications that may arise due to the PDO thread lift procedure may be severe.
The altered immune response causes a delayed response to infections and any other issues post-procedure, which may go untreated for long. This can lead to long-term and severe complications.
Fluid retention.
During pregnancy, there is already increased fluid retention and edema due to hormonal changes and increased vascularization. Of course, you want optimal results, and doing the procedure while pregnant could hinder that.
Fluid retention alters the features and appearance; therefore, the PDO threads could be inserted incorrectly, which affects recovery and could cause asymmetry. You definitely do not want undesired results, so patience is key. It also ensures the safety of your baby and maintains your looks.
Due to the misplacement of the PDO threads, there could be hematoma formation, whereby there is a collection of blood outside the blood vessels that look like bruises.
Tissue changes
The skin becomes very sensitive during pregnancy; this is a result of lowered collagen production, which affects the tissue healing process. Collagen is a protein fiber in the body that aids in skin elasticity. Unfortunately, during this magical time, your skin may experience some dryness due to the reduced collagen production.
Therefore, you may be tempted to undergo a PDO thread lift to reverse this. However, it is recommended that you remain patient. This is because you are unlikely to see any substantial results after the procedure if you get them inserted during pregnancy. There are various reasons for this phenomenon. What may they be, may ask.
Well, remember that your hormonal levels are imbalanced at this time, so your skin may not respond to treatments as you would like. Your skin tissues will experience reduced elasticity, excessive sebum production, and paleness. Adding any more trauma to the skin during pregnancy would be detrimental to the entire procedure.
Also, your body is likely to increase elastin production during this period. Elastin, as the name suggests, increases the skin’s elasticity, making it stretch even more. During pregnancy, there is increased production of elastin due to hormonal changes meant to allow stretching of the skin to accommodate the fetus.
These changes could reduce the effectiveness of the PDO thread lift procedure as the threads are not held firmly. Progesterone affects the metabolism of elastin, therefore making the procedure ineffective.
Skin changes
Every woman dreams to achieve that pregnancy glow once the time comes. However, not all are so lucky. You may experience some changes in your appearance, such as increased melanin production, which causes hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation could worsen after a PDO thread lift procedure, causing uneven skin tone and discolouration. The aim of a cosmetic procedure is to enhance beauty, so why risk it?
There are increased hormonal levels which impact the skin during pregnancy by increasing the production of oil which could cause acne and other skin conditions. The skin is susceptible at that time, and the risk for trauma is high.
Due to hyperpigmentation, increased skin elasticity and hormonal changes, a PDO thread lift during pregnancy may not give optimum results.
Medical considerations.
There are a few risks and medical aspects to be considered before doing the PDO thread lift procedure during pregnancy. Those factors include:
- Risk of infection.
- Use of anesthesia.
- Use of medications.
- Healing process and scarring.
Risk of infection.
Despite the PDO thread lift procedure being minimally invasive, during pregnancy, the immune response is slower and, therefore, there is a higher risk for infection. There is also the risk of bacteria being introduced from the insertion of the PDO threads.
Remember, your immunity is lower during this time, and there could also be severe complications from the procedure, which could go undetected. Why compromise your health and that of your unborn child? Keep in mind that some of these complications could extend to the child even after birth.
Some infections are not exactly obvious during pregnancy and may manifest in your unborn child. The infection may also spread to other parts and eventually endanger the mother and the baby. To avoid this, we recommend that you avoid PDO thread lift installation for nine short months as you prepare to give life.
Use of anesthesia
Yeah, yeah, I know your practitioner probably told you the PDO thread lift installation procedure is painless; however, let's face it, needles, no matter how tiny, may cause some pain, and to ensure you do not wince, leading to poor installation, your practitioner may use local anesthesia.
During pregnancy, the major point of concern should be your unborn child. The anesthesia could seep through the placental barrier and reach your baby.
Despite not having much research on the subject, it is a potential risk that should be avoided at all costs. Pregnancy is supposed to be stress-free, and the mother should avoid situations that may risk the safety of the baby.
Even though there hasn't been much research done on the effects of anesthesia during pregnancy, there could be adverse reactions as you attempt to get the PDO thread lift procedure. You can certainly wait a few more months before getting a PDO thread procedure to ensure your child is safe.
Use of medications.
As stated earlier, you may experience some swelling and bruising, and as part of the recommended aftercare, your doctor may recommend some painkillers and antibiotics.
Most antibiotics are contraindicated, especially during pregnancy, as they may pass through the placental barrier and affect the fetus. They could cause harm and may affect the development of the baby and should be used with caution.
It's not worth it to risk the well-being of your baby over a procedure that is elective and could be postponed.
Ethical considerations
There are a few ethical reasons and considerations to be taken into account before making the decision to get a procedure such as the PDO thread lift. These are meant to ensure the overall well-being of the mother and the baby. Let’s take a look at those ethical factors that should be taken into consideration, such as:
- Postpone elective cosmetic procedures.
- Prioritization of maternal health and fetal safety.
- Allocation of resources.
- Consultation with Healthcare providers.
Postpone elective cosmetic procedures.
Pregnancy is a delicate period in any woman’s lifetime. Therefore, caution must be exercised at all times. A PDO thread lift is an elective procedure that is not as essential, especially during pregnancy.
These procedures can be postponed as the risk outweighs the benefits. It is important to prioritize the health and safety of both the mother and the baby over having a cosmetic procedure done.
It is important to remember that this period should be more about preparation for motherhood, there are certainly less risky ways you can implement to make you feel prettier.
Prioritization of maternal health and the unborn child’s safety
Pregnancy is a very delicate time for both the mother and the fetus, especially in its development. Any medical interventions during pregnancy are risky and could lead to complications down the road.
Ethically, in medical principles, the first rule is to do no harm. Having a PDO thread lift could harm the mother and the fetus, which violates that principle.
Due to hormonal changes, there could be severe complications such as infection and adverse reactions from having the procedure done. Unnecessary risks should be avoided for the safety of the mother and baby.
Non-invasive procedures and skin treatments could be used to maintain the mother’s appearance and skin health. These could help manage some concerns caused by pregnancy.
Allocation of resources
As stated earlier, your main focus should be the health of your child and preparation for motherhood. Being an elective procedure, a PDO thread lift during pregnancy can divert needed resources away from medical care.
Your energy and resources should be directed towards ensuring that once your child arrives, they have all they require. This may not include an elective medical procedure such as a PDO thread lift.
It is more fitting to allocate the needed resources to proper maternal care during pregnancy for both the mother and baby.
Consultation with healthcare providers
Any skincare enthusiast cannot emphasize the need to involve your medical practitioner in aesthetic procedures enough. Before deciding to get a cosmetic procedure done, especially a PDO thread lift, it’s important to get all the comprehensive details of the procedure.
A certified practitioner will inform you of all potential risks and complications in order to make an informed decision. Consult with a specialist and the obstetrician before making any decisions to ensure both the mother and the baby are safe.
Psychological concerns and considerations
As a woman, you probably have encountered your not-too-glamorous hormonal days; one can only imagine how these are when battling the hormonal roller coaster during pregnancy.
Aside from physical changes, pregnant women undergo many emotional changes that make them more vulnerable. The mother's mental well-being should be considered before making any decisions, such as having a PDO thread lift done.
Here is what to consider:
- Increased stress and anxiety levels
- Healing and recovery
- Self-esteem and body image
Increased stress and anxiety levels
Pregnancy is a trying time for the woman, both physically and mentally. Having a PDO thread lift done would increase the risk of stress and anxiety caused by potential risks and aftercare practices.
Maternal stress is harmful to the baby as it affects its development negatively. The mother should focus on activities that reduce stress, such as yoga, meditation or their favorite hobbies.
Healing and recovery
Hormonal changes during pregnancy affect the wound-healing process and are a concern because recovery is prolonged. There is also increased discomfort, swelling and pain, which could stress the mother.
The procedure has potential risks and complications, which could add more stress to the mother. Considering these considerations before making any decisions is essential, especially when undergoing cosmetic procedures such as the PDO thread lift.
Self-esteem and body image
There are many physical changes that happen in a pregnant woman’s body that may lower their self-esteem and body image. To respond to those changes, the woman could consider getting a cosmetic procedure done.
The changes are temporary only during pregnancy, and understanding the body could help alleviate the pressure of wanting to undergo a cosmetic procedure. It is important to remind yourself that you are beautiful and worthy during this time and rock that pregnancy bump! Embrace your pregnancy glow.
Take Away
Pregnancy is a particularly delicate period in a woman’s life; many changes in the body occur simultaneously as it tries to accommodate the new phase of motherhood. You may experience some weight gain, skin dryness, hyperpigmentation and acne.
Thus, you may consider PDO threads as your go-to non-invasive procedure to try to reverse some of the changes you may be experiencing. However, qualified specialists will inform you that a thread lift is not exactly a genius move at this time. Due to the various changes your body is experiencing, you may not even see any results.
Additionally, you may be risking your unborn child’s health since PDO threads, though bio-friendly, may contain some components that scientists have yet to shed light on their effects on an unborn child. Therefore, kindly be patient and enjoy your nine short months. After all, PDO threads are here to stay.
Achieve Natural Beauty with Diaminy PDO Threads
At Diaminy, we know how important it is to look young and rejuvenated without sacrificing quality or health. We also know when to tell our patients to halt the procedures when they are likely to affect them negatively. Pregnancy is one of those periods that we at Diaminy will recommend that you step back.
Once your baby is here, use Diaminy PDO threads to get your glow back and achieve gorgeous, natural-looking results. Visit our website right now to browse our selection of PDO threads.
Here's to looking like a million bucks!
