Aesthetic Treatments During Pregnancy Ireland — What's Safe and What to Avoid

Pregnancy is one of the most common reasons patients pause or rethink their aesthetic treatment schedule. The honest answer to "can I get [treatment] while pregnant?" is almost always the same across every injectable treatment — no, and for good clinical reasons. This post gives you clear, straightforward guidance on every aesthetic treatment patients ask us about during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so you know exactly what to expect before your consultation.

The overarching principle

No injectable aesthetic treatment — including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, profhilo, polynucleotides, Sculptra, or lip filler — is recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This is not a legal technicality or excessive caution. It reflects a genuine gap in clinical evidence: none of these treatments have been tested in pregnant or breastfeeding patients in clinical trials, and therefore their safety for the developing baby cannot be confirmed.

At Sisu Clinic, we will not perform any injectable aesthetic treatment on a patient who is pregnant or breastfeeding. This policy applies without exception — and any clinic that offers injectable treatments during pregnancy is operating outside standard clinical guidelines.

This doesn't mean these treatments are known to be harmful during pregnancy. It means we simply don't know — and when it comes to your baby, that uncertainty is reason enough to wait.

Anti-wrinkle injections during pregnancy

Can you get anti-wrinkle injections when pregnant?
No. Botulinum toxin — the active ingredient in anti-wrinkle injections — has not been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding patients and its effects on a developing baby are unknown. Standard medical and aesthetic guidance is to avoid it completely during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What if I had treatment before I knew I was pregnant?
This is a common and understandable concern. If you received anti-wrinkle injections in early pregnancy before you were aware, the volumes used in cosmetic treatment are extremely small and localised. The clinical literature does not suggest systemic risk from cosmetic doses of botulinum toxin, but you should inform your GP or obstetrician and let them make an assessment.

When can I restart anti-wrinkle treatment?
After you have finished breastfeeding. If you are not breastfeeding, most practitioners advise waiting until after delivery before restarting treatment. Your doctor at Sisu Clinic can advise timing at your post-pregnancy consultation.

Dermal fillers during pregnancy

Can you get lip filler, cheek filler, or any dermal filler when pregnant?
No. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers have not been tested in pregnant populations. Even though hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, injectable filler formulations include additional components and the injectable process itself carries risks (bruising, swelling, vascular risk) that we would not expose a pregnant patient to.

What about dissolving existing filler during pregnancy?
Hyaluronidase — the enzyme used to dissolve HA filler — is also not recommended during pregnancy. If you have existing filler and develop a concern during pregnancy, speak with your GP and a doctor experienced in aesthetics.

Profhilo during pregnancy

Can you get Profhilo when pregnant?
No. Despite being primarily hyaluronic acid, Profhilo has not been studied in pregnant patients and is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It should be paused until after breastfeeding is complete.

Polynucleotides during pregnancy

Can you get polynucleotide injections when pregnant?
No. Polynucleotides are derived from purified DNA fragments and while they have an excellent safety profile in general use, they have not been tested in pregnant populations. The treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Sculptra during pregnancy

Can you get Sculptra when pregnant?
No. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) injectable treatments have not been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding patients. Sculptra is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Skin treatments — what is safe during pregnancy?

While injectable treatments are off the table, there are skin treatments that can be safely discussed with your doctor or midwife during pregnancy:
Medical-grade skincare — many evidence-based topical skincare ingredients are safe during pregnancy. Your Sisu doctor can advise on pregnancy-safe skincare at consultation.
Some facials — gentle hydrating facials without active acids or contraindicated ingredients can generally be continued. Speak with the practitioner beforehand about pregnancy.
Avoid during pregnancy: retinoids (vitamin A), salicylic acid in large amounts, chemical peels, laser treatments, and microneedling — not because they're known to be harmful but because data is limited and standard clinical guidance recommends avoiding them.

Planning treatment around pregnancy

Before pregnancy: If you're planning a pregnancy and have regular treatment, schedule your last anti-wrinkle or filler appointment with timing in mind — anti-wrinkle lasts 3 to 4 months, filler lasts 6 to 18 months depending on the area. Your doctor can advise the best schedule.

After pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnancy and the post-partum period can cause significant changes to the face — volume loss, skin quality changes, pigmentation. Many patients find that a comprehensive skin consultation after breastfeeding is finished is a good starting point before resuming treatment.

Planning to restart aesthetic treatments after pregnancy or breastfeeding? Book a free consultation at your nearest Sisu Clinic — your doctor will help you plan the right approach for your skin and your goals.