You may have heard of the baby Botox trend. No, it has nothing to do with babies. Simply put, it works the same as traditional Botox, but with smaller doses. And it is applied only to the face. Due to the rise of the popularity of the trend, it has prompted the question, can you get Botox while breastfeeding?
Is it safe to put Botox, or what some might say is a small dose of toxin, into your body? Any nursing mother knows that what you into your body while breastfeeding is quite important. And that applies not only to foods and drinks but to cosmetics and medication as well.
There are potential risks of botulinum toxin, or what we know as Botox in breastfeeding. Today, we will go into the risks, benefits, and whether you should use it.
Reader's Roadmap
What Is Botox?
The scientific explanation for Botox is that it is a neurotoxin created from Clostridium botulinum, a deadly bacteria that causes food poisoning, or botulism.
But cosmetic Botox is much safer. Nowadays, when we talk about botox treatment we talk about Botox injections. They are a minimally invasive alternative to cosmetic surgery administered by a healthcare provider.
Usually, Botox is used for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. You can also use it for some medical conditions like excessive sweating, muscle contractures, muscle twitches, and chronic migraine.
How Does Botox Work?
To understand whether it is safe or not, you need to understand how it works. This will help us answer the question of whether you can get Botox while breastfeeding.
Botox works to temporarily stop the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is involved in contracting smooth muscles and dilating blood vessels.
Botox injections are administered by a plastic surgeon or cosmetic technician. When used on the face to fight the signs of aging, Botox injections relax the facial muscles and other nerves that cause wrinkles.
They basically block chemical signals from nerves. Mainly, they work on nerves that cause muscles to contract.
This temporary paralysis of the muscles will result in tighter and smoother-looking skin. Botox can be administered as a preventive and corrective measure, depending on what kind of Botox therapy you choose.
It takes between three to seven days for the injections to deliver the full effect. That effect will last for up to six months.
Yes, cosmetic Botox is relatively safe, but a nursing mother has to consider many more factors.
Uses Of Botox Therapy
Here are a few medical conditions that can be treated with Botox therapy. We will provide a quick summary, one that will show how much usage Botox has found in our daily life.
- Excessive sweating
- Severe migraine headache
- Neuromuscular conditions that impact muscle control
- Urine leakage
- Gastrointestinal tract conditions like irritable bowel syndrome
- Spasms of the eyelids
- Spasms of the neck
- Shoulder muscles spasms
- Conditions that cause intense muscle stiffness
Are There Any Side Effects?
We will talk in deep about the health risks and benefits for breastfeeding mothers. For now, let’s talk about the potential side effects of Botox.
These may vary and depend on the location at which you inject Botox. For example, if you want cosmetic Botox therapy, some possible side effects include headache, droopy and swollen eyelids.
Yes, companies have a warning sign on the package, reading “risk of distant spread of toxin effect”.
This means that the side effects of Botox can potentially spread to areas beyond the site of injection. Some of the more serious side effects include difficulty breathing or swallowing, which in severe cases, can result in death.
Safety Warnings For Breastfeeding Mothers
Truth be told, there is very little data on the safety of Botox use during breastfeeding. The toxins in the injections are not likely to pass to the baby through breast milk. But it is best to breastfeed before Botox injections and wait for a few hours after receiving them to be sure.
We have to note that Botulinum toxin is dangerous and in some cases, deadly. You should only get Botox injections if they are prescribed by a doctor and given by a licensed medical professional.
Only a doctor can prescribe you the correct dosage of the dangerous medication. And we never advise using it for cosmetic purposes. Only for medical ones.
Side effects of Botox include pain, swelling, and bruising in the area of injection. But you can also experience symptoms and side effects like:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Trouble talking
- Droopy eyelids
- Blurred vision
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty swallowing
These side effects are not expected in the breastfed baby. Yet, it is best that you monitor your child for any signs of stomach problems and/or weakness.
Can you get it while breastfeeding?
So, now let’s revisit the initial question, which is, can you get Botox while breastfeeding? The short answer is no, Botox injections are not safe.
Even the Botox manufacturer agrees that getting these injections while breastfeeding is a bad idea. Allergan Inc., which is the company producing these injections, states “that although the complications remain unknown, pregnant women and breastfeeding women should always tell their doctor if they are thinking of using Botox”.
According to experts, the primary concern is the possibility of harmful chemicals being absorbed into the mother’s system and from there, into her breast milk. This could potentially affect neonatal growth and development.
Does Botox Go Into The Bloodstream?
No, Botox does not go into the bloodstream. It is injected into your muscles. So far, studies haven’t detected Botox in the human bloodstream following an injection of recommended doses.
Yet, while it generally stays localized within the treatment area, more research is needed.
Should You Avoid Other Cosmetic Procedures?
Botox is not the only cosmetic procedure that you should avoid.
Similar to Botox, you might need to wait for some fillers until you are finished breastfeeding. The effects are unknown, but the same as with Botox, it is better to be safe and sure.
Also, avoid vitamin A anti-wrinkle treatments. All forms of Vitamin A should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it has been linked to adverse effects on babies.
Are There Any Safe Alternatives To Botox?
Do not worry, if you want a safe and simple way to fight fine lines and wrinkles post-pregnancy, there are some safe options.
For example, Software’s aging prescription formula is something created by doctors through an individual approach to your skin.
Chemical peels might sound menacing, but they are gentle enough to use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. They might feel weird at first, but you will get used to it.
Laser treatment and light therapy do not penetrate deep enough, meaning they are safe during lactation and pregnancy. Laser therapy and light therapy have even been used to treat postpartum mastitis.
Home Remedies For Wrinkles?
If you want to get rid of wrinkles, there are always some home remedies you can try. Those include wearing sunscreen to prevent the appearance and avoiding the use of tanning beds and products.
For a homemade scrub or serum, you can make a mask using pineapple juice, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. Another option is a homemade scrub with finely ground white sugar, coconut oil, and/or olive oil.
The bottom line is to follow a healthy lifestyle. That means staying hydrated and consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, omega-3 fatty acids, and other foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
This is a surefire way to prevent wrinkles in the first place. And if you prevent them from appearing, there is no need for applying Botox, right?
Hopefully, we answered your question about whether you can get Botox while breastfeeding.
