How Pregnancy Affects Cosmetic Procedure Results

The effects of pregnancy on a cosmetic procedure may not be the first thing that comes to mind when consulting with your plastic surgeon or dermatologist for the first time. But, with women often undergoing cosmetic surgery and other minimally invasive procedures earlier on in life and the average age of first-time mothers getting older, it is something that increasingly needs to be considered.

For certain procedures, it may actually be preferable to wait until after having children to undergo treatment, but that isn’t always how it works out. From Botox® to breast reductions, we’re breaking down how pregnancy can impact the results of cosmetic surgeries and procedures and heading from women who have experienced the effects first hand.

1. Breast Augmentation and Reduction

Depending on when a woman plans to have children, plastic surgeons may recommend they wait until after her pregnancy to undergo a breast surgery. But many women opt to go under the knife long before getting pregnant.

During pregnancy, women experience changes in the size and shape of their breasts — regardless of whether they have previously undergone a breast augmentation. While the shape of the breast tissue will change, the implant will remain the same. Postpartum sagging is common, and many women choose to undergo a breast implant replacement and/or breast lift after giving birth and breastfeeding.

Women who have previously undergone breast reduction surgery, meanwhile, will naturally be concerned that their breasts may grow in size during pregnancy. But, like women who have natural breasts, the chest usually returns to its pre-pregnancy size postpartum. This being said, loss of skin elasticity in the area may result in the breasts sitting a little lower than they did previously. Consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon will give you a sense of your treatment options.

Patient Perspective

We spoke to Nora about her experience getting pregnant after having a breast reduction. As it turns out, the effects were not what she had expected.

2. Injectables

Neurotoxins (think: Botox®, Dysport®, Jeuveau®, and Xeomin®) and dermal fillers are some of the most common minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, but their effects can change during pregnancy. Many women find their faces tend to swell naturally during pregnancy, especially in the lip area. The impact of this is two-fold:

1. You may find that your lips (or other areas augmented with filler) are fuller than you would like them to
2. The skin on your face may show fewer lines and wrinkles and generally look fuller

Neurotoxins and fillers are not administered to women during pregnancy or breastfeeding. But those who had a treatment prior to getting pregnant, may notice that the effects of the injectables wear off more quickly than usual due to the increase in the body’s metabolic rate. From that perspective, you may notice dynamic lines, in particular, become more pronounced.

3. Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty (a.k.a. tummy tuck) is one of the cosmetic procedures that is most affected by pregnancy. While the procedure has no negative impact on a woman’s ability to become pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy, excess skin in the area can become problematic again postpartum.

The skin and muscles that were tightened during the procedure will stretch during gestation, as they would for women who have not had the procedure. Since the skin and muscles may not bounce back to the shape they were in before pregnancy, a revision procedure may be needed to restore the original results. It’s advised that women wait until they have finished having children to avoid repeated surgery.

Patient Perspective

New mom Clara explains the impact pregnancy has on her tummy tuck.

4. Labiaplasty

Women who have had labiaplasty in the past may be concerned about how the area that was treated will change during pregnancy and childbirth. Much like for tummy tuck patients, the effects of pregnancy and childbirth will be the same for them as for women who have not had the procedure. Depending on your body and hormone levels throughout, the labia may grow significantly.

In these cases, revision surgery is usually possible. There are a few factors that need to be taken into consideration, including the viability of the remaining tissue. Women would ideally wait until after they have finished having children to undergo a revision procedure, if possible.

5. Laser Hair Removal

Women who have completed their course of laser hair removal before pregnancy may need to revisit their hair removal routine again after pregnancy. While the hair may seem to be gone forever, the treatment can't target every single follicle. When women’s hormones fluctuate after childbirth, it is not uncommon for some of those follicles that were missed the first time round can be activated and start growing hair.

While it is possible for significant regrowth to happen, it’s very unlikely that the areas will be as hairy as they were before treatment. If you’d like to undergo laser hair removal again after pregnancy, consult with a board certified provider on when it’s safe to do so.

Patient Perspective

We spoke to Natasja, who had laser hair removal before having her two sons and then a revision course to get the results she loved once again.

The Takeaway

Cosmetic surgery and procedures are elective, which means patients can generally undergo them whenever they wish. With that said, it is important women understand how their results may change due to pregnancy and childbirth. Most of the time, a revision is possible. But consulting with a board certified provider will ensure you understand why you might wish to time your treatment a certain way.