If you’re devoted to neurotoxins like Botox or Dysport—or you regularly book fillers like Juvéderm—you’ve likely been told to press pause during pregnancy and often while breastfeeding.
The break isn’t forever, but the timeline for getting back isn’t always clear—especially when it comes to Botox versus filler. When is it actually safe to restart, and why is the pause necessary in the first place?
Featured Experts
- Janine Hopkins, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Southlake, TX
- Kenneth Beer, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in West Palm Beach, FL
- Jacob Beer, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in West Palm Beach, FL
- Amy Peterson is a celebrity aesthetician
- Milena Naydenov is 111Skin’s global head of aesthetics and lead aesthetician
Why Botox and Filler Aren’t Recommended During Pregnancy
“During pregnancy, Botox and filler injections are not recommended,” says Southlake, TX dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD. “This is because there have been no well-controlled, large studies on safety during pregnancy, so physicians recommend avoiding procedures that have not received FDA clearance for pregnant women.”
“The effects of botulinum toxin administration during human pregnancy are largely unknown,” Dr. Hopkins continues. “There is only one prior report on the use of botulinum toxin during pregnancy.” With that in mind, “FDA-approved labeling for botulinum toxin indicates that this toxin is pregnancy risk category C, and recommends that it should be ‘administered during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.’”
But even in cases where risk appears low, experts say the trade-off isn’t compelling. “Fillers are most likely safe for pregnancy, but why take the risk?” says West Palm Beach, FL dermatologist Kenneth Beer, MD. “Most fillers are hyaluronic acid, naturally found in the body, and they are not toxic. But again, why look for problems?”
That lack of data is exactly why many providers default to caution, adds Miami aesthetician Amy Peterson. “As we know, pregnancy isn’t something people want to risk,” Peterson says. “No one is going to say, ‘Yes, test this product on me to see if it’s pregnancy-safe.’”
What to Try While Injectables Are Off the Table
You may have to pause neurotoxins and fillers during pregnancy, but there are still ways to take care of your skin—starting with a good facial. “Pregnancy can cause women to experience breakouts, and a regular facial that does not include any machinery or acid-based products can be very beneficial,” says 111Skin’s global head of aesthetics and lead aesthetician Milena Naydenov.
Returning to Neurotoxins and Filler After Pregnancy
There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for resuming injectables after pregnancy—and not every provider agrees on the approach.
Neurotoxins like Botox are typically the first to come back. “Neuromodulators can generally be used in the immediate postpartum period,” says Jupiter, Florida dermatologist Jacob Beer, MD. “Because of the size of the molecule, it generally doesn’t pass into breast milk in appreciable concentrations.”
Filler, on the other hand, is less clear-cut. “Filler is more of a gray area because of lack of adequate studies,” Dr. Beer continues. “The general practice is to wait until after breastfeeding to avoid possible complications or concerns with the lidocaine that’s in some of the fillers.”
That gray area is where guidance starts to split. Some providers resume treatments sooner, while others take a more cautious approach. Dr. Hopkins, for example, says she resumes Botox and filler about one month after pregnancy or one month after a patient stops breastfeeding.
Ultimately, the right timeline comes down to your provider’s guidance and your own comfort level. It may not be the most definitive answer, but it’s the most realistic one.
