Cosmetic products and non-invasive aesthetic procedures: Safety of usage and recommendations regarding selection during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

Changes of the skin and skin appendages, which occur during pregnancy, are often the cause of discontentment and the reason why pregnant and breastfeeding women use numerous cosmetic products on the daily basis and show the interest for the different aesthetic procedures. Although safety of cosmetic products must be confirmed before the product is placed on the market, the fact is that their safety, as well as the safety of aesthetic procedures, is not estimated on pregnant or breastfeeding women. The selection of an appropriate product is further complicated by the absence of the list of allowed raw materials which should be considered during pregnancy and lactation, especially for substances that are known or potential endocrine disruptors or substances which are (potentially) toxic for the reproduction. Additionally, there are no official recommendations issued by the regulatory bodies or any healthcare associations, which would facilitate the selection of cosmetic products during pregnancy and breastfeeding and reduce the possible fear regarding the exposure of fetus/baby to unsafe ingredients. The paper provides an overview of the safety data of the specified cosmetic ingredients, different categories of cosmetic products and non-invasive aesthetic procedures, with an attempt to consolidate those data into the specific recommendations regarding selection and their usage during pregnancy and lactation.

Keywords

• cosmetic products
• non-invasive aesthetic procedures
• safety
• pregnancy
• lactation
• recommendations