Botox for hair before and after childbirth. All the pros and cons

It is no secret that during pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes global hormonal changes.

Thanks to the hormonal changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman, and in particular due to the large amount of estrogens produced quite often, the hair of expectant mothers can become thicker, they can even grow better and faster. Many people note that their hair becomes more shiny and acquires a beautiful velvety hue. Hormonal changes in the body affect the rate of hair growth and hair loss, so if you usually lose from 50 to 80 hairs daily, then during pregnancy these losses decrease several times (however, after pregnancy this amount will return to the same).

However, this does not happen for all pregnant women; sometimes the situation can be completely opposite.

Let's look at some questions that arise most often.

What is Botox

Regular Botox is a cosmetic product developed on the basis of partially neutralized botulinum toxin.
This is a poison that is a powerful muscle relaxant. It is injected subcutaneously in small doses into the micromuscles of the face, provoking their long-term relaxation. In this way, facial wrinkles are smoothed out and new ones are not formed. Botox for hair has nothing to do with botulinum toxin. The procedure is so named for the similarity of the effects. The hair is treated with a special compound that covers it with a thin protective film, thickening and smoothing it at the same time.

In theory, it's completely harmless. But practically, due to the fact that the drug contains many different chemical compounds, there are a number of contraindications (including pregnancy).

During the second trimester

The second trimester is the most favorable in its course and reaction of the body. At this time, the fetus is growing fully, all the necessary systems have long been formed, so it is impossible to influence their development.

But at this time, experts also do not recommend using Botox for hair, because due to a sharp hormonal imbalance, it may simply not be effective. The result will last for only a few days, causing loss of money, time and worries in this regard.

To keep your hair beautiful and healthy during pregnancy, experts recommend taking more vitamins, eating right, and walking in the fresh air so as not to provoke such problems with your hair. During pregnancy, no specialist can give a 100% guarantee that after the manipulation the client will receive the desired result. That is why it is worth postponing Botox for a while longer.

Composition of the drug

Even if you carefully study the composition of the main drug that is used to smooth hair, the harmful components are not so easy to detect at first glance. The manufacturer usually indicates beneficial ingredients on the labels:

• natural oils;
• vitamin complexes;
• plant extracts;
• silk or caviar proteins;
• liquid keratin;
• collagen and/or elastin.

Similar components are present in high-quality masks and are truly beneficial for hair and skin. But why then does the instruction clearly state: “avoid contact with mucous membranes and scalp”?

The thing is that these useful components will remain on the surface of the hair if the dense keratin layer covering it is not loosened. To do this, special chemical compounds are introduced into the drug, most of which are based on formaldehyde. Their presence gives off a characteristic pungent odor, which is felt when the treated strands are heated. And it is they who pose the greatest danger to a pregnant woman and fetus.

Formaldehyde

Nature is wise - she took care to protect the baby even from those toxins that may accidentally end up in the mother’s body. The role of such a reliable barrier is played by the placenta, which does not allow anything that could harm the baby to pass through. But its formation finally ends almost by the fourth month of pregnancy. That is why doctors insist that a woman be extremely attentive and careful in the early stages.

In addition, in the first trimester, the formation of all the vital organs and systems of the child occurs. And any exposure to toxins can negatively affect the development and formation of the fetus.

Formaldehyde in the official medical classification is classified as a toxic substance that negatively affects:

• genetic material;
• reproductive organs;
• nervous system;
• Airways;
• mucous membranes;
• skin covering.

With prolonged inhalation of its vapors, clearly defined signs of poisoning are observed: pallor, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat.

It has been scientifically proven that formaldehyde is a strong carcinogen. So is it worth exposing an unborn baby to the risk of serious poisoning in order to show off smooth, shiny hair?! Every woman decides this for herself.

Is it possible to do Botox for hair during pregnancy?

The essence of the cosmetic procedure is to use a collagen-based composition, which is distributed along the length of the curls and additionally applied to the root system, which promotes internal restoration of vegetation.

However, in order to prevent consequences after the session, the cosmetologist prescribes restrictions for health reasons.

Few contraindications are prescribed:

• Pregnancy and lactation;
• Damage to sensitive scalp;
• Allergic reaction to the components of the product;
• Neuralgic diseases.

Is it possible to do hair Botox during pregnancy? This is a relative limitation, since the technology is not always dangerous for the girl’s health, so you must first consult with a cosmetologist.

The danger of providing services at this time depends on the period of pregnancy of the woman, so this factor must be taken into account.

1st trimester

The beginning of fetal development is the most dangerous time, since during this period its birth and consolidation in the mother’s body should occur. Because of this, her body is highly susceptible to external factors that can lead to miscarriage.

Contraindications are prescribed for most cosmetic procedures in the early stages of pregnancy, so Botox cannot be done in the 1st trimester.

2nd trimester

Botox for hair during pregnancy during the second trimester is performed more safely, so doctors and cosmetologists prescribe relative restrictions on the technique at this time. The undesirability of providing the service depends only on the condition of the expectant mother.

However, take into account changes in hormonal levels at this time, which is associated with the risk of poor fixation of the applied composition, which reduces the effectiveness of the procedure.

3rd trimester

The child’s body and its organs complete their formation in the third trimester, and the expectant mother’s body prepares for the birth of the baby. Because of this and the risk of possible pathologies, there is practically no risk, so doctors do not prohibit women from performing most cosmetic procedures.

However, during this period it is dangerous for the client to have an allergic reaction to the components of the product, so you must first do a test for its presence.

Whether or not pregnant women can use Botox for hair depends on how long the child is pregnant, so before consulting with a hairdresser, consider this parameter and your well-being.

Botox procedure

You might argue that the concentration of formaldehyde in the hair treatment solution is minimal. One cannot but agree with this. But nevertheless, the use of the drug for this very reason is contraindicated for cancer patients, with damage and diseases of the scalp, bronchial asthma and pulmonary hypertension.

All this may seem like reinsurance, but you don’t know how strong your body’s protective capabilities are!

Formaldehyde during hair botox actively evaporates while the strands are heated, and this is mandatory. The technology looks like this:

1. The hair is thoroughly washed with deep cleaning shampoo to degrease the hair surface as much as possible.
2. Divide the hair into zones and secure them with clips.
3. In each zone, thin strands are isolated and treated with a solution containing Botox (2-3 cm away from the roots!).
4. Put a cellophane cap on your head and leave it for 20-30 minutes.
5. Each strand is thoroughly warmed up by going over it several times with an iron heated to 180-230°C (formaldehyde is actively evaporating at this time and enters the respiratory tract of the client and the master!).
6. The remaining solution is thoroughly washed and a fixing balm is applied.
7. After 5-10 minutes, wash your hair well again, dry it and put it in your hair.

Hairdressers are well aware of the dangers of formaldehyde fumes. Therefore, they try to carry out the procedure with open windows or in well-ventilated areas.

Is it possible to inject while breastfeeding?

Conducting research on the effects of botuloxin on a child’s body through breast milk is prohibited.

But based on experiments conducted on animals bearing young, scientists assure that this drug can cause irreparable harm to a newborn.

Breastfeeding and pregnancy are included in the list of contraindications for many procedures

Botuloxin is a poison that has a paralytic effect on facial muscles, which can cause a terrible allergy in an infant and significantly disrupt the functioning of all internal organs.

Many experts assure that this is absolutely harmless since the dose of the toxin in the composition is negligible and poisoning is excluded; local injections and penetration into milk are not possible. Despite these arguments, a small percentage of the toxin still ends up in mother's milk and the reaction of the small organism is completely unpredictable.

It should be remembered that the individuality of the body’s characteristics does not guarantee an identical effect of the same drug on different organisms. Therefore, an experienced specialist will not risk human health.

Effect duration

It is interesting that even the same product does not last the same on different hair. There are clients whose results last up to 2 months. But for others it completely disappears after 3-4 weeks. This largely depends on whether the hair is provided with proper care after Botox. But the individual characteristics of the body also play an important role.

In pregnant women, hormonal levels change significantly several times during the period of gestation. And this always affects the appearance and, first of all, the condition of the hair and nails.

It often happens that pregnant women have no effect at all from Botox for hair, although the technology was strictly followed and a high-quality proprietary composition was used. Masters cannot explain this phenomenon in any way.

By the way, according to reviews on women’s forums, due to the same hormonal changes, Botox often “does not work” even during the period of breastfeeding a child.

How the product works

Botox for the face is a unique product that improves hair structure, makes curls vibrant, beautiful, shiny, eliminates fragility and other imperfections. The question arises: is it possible or not to use this method of hair care while pregnant?

The working principle of Botox for hair is as follows:

• Increase in volume;
• Increased elasticity;
• Adding healthy shine to curls;
• Elimination of split ends;
• Eliminate hair breakage.

The effect after the procedure lasts for a long time, the hair becomes vibrant, beautiful, and does not succumb to the negative effects of frost, sun or other weather conditions.

Home alternative

For those who are not ready to risk the health of their unborn baby, but still want to look beautiful, there is a completely safe alternative - gelatin hair straightening, which is easy to do at home yourself.

Gelatin is a natural collagen that rarely provokes allergic reactions. It is non-toxic, odorless, dissolves well in water and hardens at room temperature, forming a thin film similar to laminate on each hair.

This procedure will bring only benefits to a pregnant woman’s weakened and dull hair. Especially if you dilute the gelatin not with water, but with a herbal decoction: chamomile, coltsfoot, burdock root. It is done like this:

• Gelatin must be diluted with water or broth in a ratio of 1:3 and heated in a water bath until the crystals are completely dissolved.
• Wash your hair thoroughly with regular shampoo (do not apply conditioner!) and dry it with a hair dryer to 80%.
• Using a regular dye brush, generously moisten each strand with the solution (try not to get it on the skin).
• Put on a cellophane cap and insulate the gelatin mask well with a terry towel.
• Warm your head with a hairdryer for 10 minutes at high temperature.
• Leave for another 20-30 minutes and then wash off the remaining mask with lukewarm running water without shampoo.
• Blot excess moisture with a towel and let your hair dry naturally.

Of course, the result from gelatin lamination will be weaker than from professional Botox. But during pregnancy, the safety of the expectant mother and fetus comes first.

In addition, gelatin works cumulatively. After just 2-3 procedures, which can be repeated even once every 7-10 days, your hair will become much smoother and shinier. They will be easier to comb, hold their style well, and acquire a beautiful shine. And no risk!