Is hyaluronic acid safe during pregnancy?
Topical application of hyaluronic acid.
As a reminder, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our tissues, and its role is to keep the skin well-hydrated from within. Hyaluronic acid has the unique ability to attract and retain 1,000 times its weight in water. The hyaluronic acid present in the skin accounts for 50% of the skin's hydration. As we age, the natural production of hyaluronic acid slows down, which makes the skin drier and looser. Using products containing hyaluronic acid can help restore the skin's hydration levels. Due to its powerful hydrating properties, this active ingredient has become a ubiquitous component in many skincare products, from moisturizers to serums, night creams, masks, and even lip balms.
Hyaluronic acid is an excellent skincare ingredient for pregnant women and people in general. It is a completely safe and natural substance. It can be used topically to temporarily improve skin hydration, without posing any risk to the fetus or the expectant mother.
In addition to being a potent moisturizer that is safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding, hyaluronic acid offers other benefits. It is generally well-tolerated, and thus can be safely used on all skin types, even the most sensitive ones.
Fun fact: the level of natural hyaluronic acid increases progressively throughout pregnancy. It even appears that it may play a role in the "maturation" of the cervix for childbirth!
Every pregnancy is unique. If you have any questions about the use of a product/ingredient/treatment during pregnancy, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.
Hyaluronic acid in injections.
Hyaluronic acid injections are offered in aesthetic surgery clinics or directly by dermatologists. As the name suggests, this method involves injecting hyaluronic acid into sagging areas of the skin using a syringe or cannula.
While hyaluronic acid is not toxic when ingested, it is recommended to avoid all injections for aesthetic purposes during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Sources:
Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. (2012)
Gupta Ramesh C., Lall Rajiv, Srivastava Ajay, Sinha Anita. Hyaluronic Acid: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Trajectory. Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Kavanagh J, Kelly AJ, Thomas J. Hyaluronidase for cervical priming and induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (2001)
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