Microdermabrasion During Pregnancy

Pregnancy changes a woman's life completely. While she feels enraptured as she finds out about the existence of a new life growing within her womb, and waits anxiously for the whole nine months to be able to see her child, she also needs to tread with caution. The hormonal changes that take place during the course of pregnancy, give rise to various bodily changes, the most conspicuous change being the expanding waistline. However, there are other physical changes that occur during pregnancy. While some women may get the 'pregnancy glow' due to increased blood circulation, some may suffer from skin pigmentation or recurring acne outbreaks due to hormonal changes. Increased skin sensitivity may cause skin problems that may become a cause of cosmetic concern for some women. Normally, women have the option of using skin care products or undergoing skin treatments such as microdermabrasion or laser therapy to get back clear, smooth and radiant skin. Pregnant women, however, should not undergo skin treatments unless they are aware of the risks or side effects. They must first find out if these skin treatments are safe and whether these can have an adverse effect on the fetus. In this article, we would look into the side effects of microdermabrasion for women who are pregnant.

What is Microdermabrasion?
Before I tell you about the possible risks of microdermabrasion during pregnancy, let me first tell you what is microdermabrasion used for and how is it performed. Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive dermatological procedure that is mainly used for getting rid of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also used for getting rid of age spots or skin pigmentation that may appear due to exposure to sun. This skin treatment basically involves the use of abrasive micro-crystals for sloughing off the outermost layer of the skin, thereby promoting the growth of healthier and youthful skin. It is also believed that this cosmetic procedure may stimulate the growth of collagen, which is a fibrous protein that makes the skin more elastic and supple. Though microdermabrasion may help in rejuvenating the skin to some extent, the use of abrasive crystals can irritate the skin. Those who have a sensitive skin, must be aware of the side effects before they try out this skin treatment.

Is Microdermabrasion Safe During Pregnancy?
Changes in the appearance or the texture of the skin is amongst the noticeable bodily changes that occur during pregnancy. While some women get a lovely glow, some may develop a skin condition called melasma. Also referred to as the 'mask of pregnancy' or chloasma, melasma is characterized by the development of brown-colored spots on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip or the chin. Though this condition is associated with exposure to the sun, in case of pregnant women, the contributory factor is believed to be an interplay of the pregnancy hormones. Though microdermabrasion is believed to be effective in the treatment of melasma, dermatologists advice women not to undergo such skin treatments during the course of pregnancy. Though the thought of getting a youthful skin, is very tempting, there is a need to understand the risks associated with microdermabrasion treatment during pregnancy. As mentioned earlier, people who have a sensitive skin are at a greater risk of developing skin problems after skin treatments. Since pregnancy hormones affect the texture of the skin, and leave the skin quite sensitive, there is a great risk of acne flare-ups.

Under normal circumstances, this cosmetic procedure may stimulate new skin cell growth, however, pregnancy hormones may prevent the regeneration of new skin cells and may also have an adverse effect on the skin's ability to heal quickly. Most of the microdermabrasion side effects are mainly attributed to the use of abrasive crystals. Since pregnancy can cause increased skin sensitivity, the skin may have an adverse reaction and one may end up with a dry and blotchy skin. One can also not rule out the possibility of scarring or development of hypopigmentation spots on the skin post microdermabrasion. At times, microdermabrasion may be used in combination with chemical peels. Use of chemical peels must also be avoided during pregnancy. Pregnant women must also be careful about the skin care products they use. When one applies such products, there is a risk of certain ingredients getting absorbed into the bloodstream. Ingredients such as salicylic acid, retinol and benzoyl peroxide may cause harm to the fetus, so make sure that you look at the list of the ingredients in the beauty products before buying and using them. Thus, the wise thing to do would be to avoid such skin treatments.

Pregnancy is a difficult time, and women need to avoid any activity that may make matters worse. Pregnant women must avoid aggressive skin treatments, that can irritate their skin. One of the common microdermabrasion risks is that it may cause scarring or acne flare-ups. Pregnant women who are thinking of undergoing this skin treatment for melasma must understand that melasma is linked with pregnancy hormones, and one cannot prevent the brown spots from coming back. Thus, it would be best not to undergo microdermabrasion during pregnancy.