The topic of aesthetic treatments being performed during pregnancy is commonly debated among practitioners, as there are limited studies and data available on the subject. A review of the literature was undertaken by the author to provide aesthetic practitioners with knowledge that can be applied to their clinical practice. The findings showed that certain ingredients and procedures were likely to be safe when treating pregnant women, but that studies to support this are limited. Conducting studies on pregnant women to give aesthetic practitioners more accurate data would prompt serious ethical and medico-legal discussions, and so is unlikely to occur. In essence, although some procedures and products are in theory deemed safe to be used on pregnant women, it is at the discretion of the practitioner to establish any benefits over the risks. Overall, it would seem sensible to suggest that elective aesthetic procedures are postponed until after pregnancy, particularly as many of the bothersome physiological changes that occur during this period resolve naturally.

Victoria Smith - Director of Aesthetics, Absolute Aesthetics, Guildford