March 29, 2007 - Avoid Botox, Acid Peels and Retin A while pregnant

Impact of products and treatments on unborn and nursing infants are reason to steer clear of these commonly used products for 9 months or more

DENVER, CO - Pregnancy is a space in a woman’s life filled with heaps of old wives’ tales along with some indigestion and a little bloating. Sometimes one outweighs the other and the resulting confusion over what a gestating mother can eat or not, how she should or can’t exercise, nap, gain weight or even plan can be overwhelming. Bodily changes inspire emotional fluctuation—sometimes worry over whether your body will ever feel like its old self again.

But baby’s health is paramount and to that end there are some considerations expecting moms should give to their own beauty routines, according to Dr. Nicolette Picerno, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon practicing in Denver and Lone Tree, Colorado.

An expectant mother should avoid a number of products and treatments during pregnancy and while nursing, according to Dr. Picerno. Surprisingly, some of the products and treatments to avoid are fast becoming routine among the populace interested in maintaining a flawless, youthful complexion.

Botox® should not be administered to a woman who is pregnant or nursing. The reason: there are no conclusive studies regarding the impact on the fetus, says Dr. Picerno. Other no-nos include: Retin A, chemical peels and acid peels.

Any substance that is ingested or applied to the skin that is absorbed into the body will evidence itself in the bloodstream thus flushing through the fetus and during nursing will show up in the mother’s milk. At its most basic, the foods a mother consumes do the same. If you’ve ever smelled garlic on your two-week-old infant’s breath, think back a day or so to your diet and the yummy toasted garlic baguette you enjoyed for dinner.

Ironically, Hydroquinone, a product that is available both by prescription and over-the-counter and is used to lighten darkening areas of the facial skin that can appear during pregnancy, should not be used during pregnancy or while nursing. According to Dr. Picerno, not enough is known yet about the possible impact of Hydroquinone on the fetus and/or nursing infant.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 70 percent of pregnant women develop blotchy areas of darkened skin, commonly referred to as the mask of pregnancy. The condition officially known as chloasma or melasma occurs more in women with darker complexions vs. women with lighter skin. Splotches that show up on the upper lip, nose, cheekbones and forehead are caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy which stimulate a temporary increase in the body’s production of melanin, the natural substance that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes. The areas of increased pigmentation can take from nine months to a year after delivery to fade and return to its normal shade, although in some women the changes never completely disappear and the effects of chloasma become more pronounced with each pregnancy.

Chloasma discoloration can also appear on the forearms or other parts of the body exposed to sun. But don’t dash to the medicine cabinet in search of just any old sunblock to protect against this.

Mothers-to-be should avoid using chemical sunblocks as these are absorbed through the skin and can have unknown effects on the fetus. Chemical sunblocks include Avobenzone, also known as Parsol 1789. Dr. Picerno recommends using a physical sunblock such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which provide UVA/UVB protection and are not absorbed through the skin.

Baby’s health should obviously be the foremost consideration of all women on the mommy-track. But foregoing these few commonplace anecdotes to pregnancy-related and other beauty concerns doesn’t have to leave a mom-to-be feeling dowdy or less than her most beautiful. Instead of acid-based facials, Dr. Picerno recommends sugar scrubs of which an experienced esthetician should be able to offer clients. In Dr. Picerno’s practice, she has an esthetician on staff and in-house to perform facials, waxing and other spa services plus light skin peels.

For information, contact Nicolette A.Picerno, MD at 303.744.2300 or email her at drpicerno@nicolettepicernomd.com. Dr. Picerno’s offices are located at Harvard Park, 950 E. Harvard Ave., Suite 570, Denver, CO 80210 and 9218 Kimmer Dr., Suite 202, Lone Tree, CO 80124.