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Why is hyaluronic acid filler considered unsafe during pregnancy?

Cosmetic Treatments QuestionsCategory: RestylaneWhy is hyaluronic acid filler considered unsafe during pregnancy?
A patient asked 4 years ago
I'd like to understand this better, because it seems to me that the only reason it's not advised is because it hasn't been studied on pregnant women; but common sense tells me it's totally fine. 1) Hyaluronic acid is not toxic, in fact, it's naturally occurring in the body. 2) filler doesn't enter the blood stream, it's injected in one area and stays there, correct?
1 Answers
Dr. Elham Jafari Staff answered 4 years ago

Filler during Pregnancy

  Hi and thank you for your question! You are absolutely correct in saying that the reason we do not do and recommend filler injections during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is because filler injections have not been studied during these periods. As elective cosmetic procedures, most clinicians would agree that it would be better not to do these treatments out of abundance of caution and to avoid any risks (no matter how small and unlikely it is) to the baby and mother. Additionally, given the significant changes that body undergoes during these periods, including fluid shifts and redistribution in the body, the results of filler treatment might be less predictable. While fillers are not normally expected to enter blood stream, there are rare cases of accidental injection into blood vessels which could pose some additional risk. Given all, I concur that postponing these treatments to after pregnancy and breastfeeding is a more prudent approach. I hope it helps and good luck!
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