Your guide to pregnancy-friendly skincare, brows, and lashes at Fox Beauty Studios in Oregon City, Oregon.
First of all, congratulations, mama! 💗 Growing a tiny human is a big job, and you deserve a little extra care along the way.
Pregnancy can bring all kinds of changes to your skin, from unexpected breakouts and dryness to increased sensitivity, pigmentation, and changes in your lashes and brows. And just when you're ready to book a little self-care, you may find yourself wondering which beauty treatments are still okay.
As a mom of two myself, I understand wanting to make thoughtful choices for both you and your baby. When it comes to pregnancy and beauty treatments, I'd rather take a conservative approach than recommend a treatment when the safety information isn't clear.
Here's how I approach pregnancy and my service menu, trimester by trimester.
First Trimester: Let's Keep It Simple
The first trimester is a time of significant development for your baby. Hormonal changes can also make your skin more reactive than usual, even if you've never considered yourself sensitive.
Because research on many cosmetic treatments during pregnancy is limited, I recommend keeping beauty treatments to a minimum during the first trimester.
My recommendations:
Eyebrow Wax: This is the service I'm most comfortable considering during the first trimester, provided your skin is healthy and you aren't experiencing unusual irritation or sensitivity. Waxing is generally considered an acceptable hair-removal method during pregnancy.
Facials: I recommend postponing elective facial treatments until the second trimester so I can take a more conservative approach to your skincare and treatment choices.
What about lash lifts and tints?
I recommend waiting until at least the second trimester before considering a lash lift and tint. Pregnancy-related hormonal changes can affect your skin, hair, and how your body responds to products. There's also limited research specifically establishing the safety of lash-lifting and tinting products during pregnancy.
This is a precautionary recommendation, not a claim that a lash lift has been proven to harm a developing baby.
Second Trimester: A Little More Room for Self-Care
The second trimester is when I may be comfortable offering select services to clients with uncomplicated pregnancies, provided I review the products involved, discuss any concerns, and make appropriate adjustments.
Your comfort and your healthcare provider's guidance always come first.
Facial Treatments
Pregnancy can leave your skin feeling dry, tight, or simply different from what you're used to. A gentle, hydrating facial may be an option during the second trimester when I select appropriate products and avoid ingredients or techniques that aren't suitable for pregnancy.
If your complexion is looking dull or feeling dehydrated, I can discuss a modified treatment using carefully selected ingredients. I'll need to review the specific vitamin products and active ingredients before proceeding.
I don't automatically recommend every facial simply because you're in your second trimester. I want to make sure the products and techniques are appropriate for you, and I'll leave out anything with uncertain safety.
Brows
Waxing remains an option for many pregnant clients. However, pregnancy can increase skin sensitivity, so I may need to adjust my approach or postpone waxing if your skin is particularly reactive.
I take a more cautious approach to chemical brow treatments during pregnancy because pregnancy-specific safety research is limited. I'll discuss the products involved with you and help you decide whether postponing the service is the better choice.
Lashes
If you're considering a lash lift, the second trimester is the earliest stage at which I'd consider scheduling one. Before booking, I recommend discussing the treatment with your prenatal healthcare provider. I'll also review the product instructions, follow appropriate patch-testing guidance, and consider any changes in your sensitivity.
Please know that waiting until the second trimester doesn't automatically make a lash lift or tint proven safe during pregnancy. If I have concerns about the ingredients or your individual circumstances, I'll recommend waiting until after pregnancy.
Lash extension adhesives haven't been adequately studied for use during pregnancy. Because the service involves prolonged close-eye exposure to adhesive products, I recommend postponing extensions during pregnancy rather than assuming they're risk-free.
Treatments I Recommend Postponing Throughout Pregnancy
Some of my services are more intensive or involve ingredients and techniques that warrant additional caution.
During pregnancy, I recommend postponing:
Nano Needling: Microneedling-type procedures are not recommended during pregnancy.
Green Sea Peel: I recommend postponing this exfoliating treatment because its specific formulation and pregnancy safety need to be considered.
Vtox Lifting + Tightening: I recommend waiting until after pregnancy because the ingredients and techniques need individual safety review.
Brow Lamination: I recommend postponing this chemical treatment because pregnancy-specific safety information is limited.
When it comes to elective beauty treatments, waiting is often the simplest and most reassuring choice.
Third Trimester: My Recommendation Is to Pause All Services
By the third trimester, your body is working overtime. Your growing belly, changing circulation, swelling, and difficulty finding a comfortable position can make even a familiar beauty appointment feel different.
At Fox Beauty Studios, I recommend postponing all elective services during the third trimester.
This includes facials, waxing, brow treatments, lash lifts, lash tints, and extensions.
Here's why.
Comfort and positioning
All of my services are performed with you lying on your back. As your pregnancy progresses, remaining on your back for an extended period may become uncomfortable and, in some circumstances, can compress a major blood vessel called the inferior vena cava. This can cause dizziness or nausea and may affect blood flow back to your heart.
Even though I want you to feel relaxed and comfortable during your appointment, I can't guarantee that lying on your back for the duration of a service will be appropriate during late pregnancy.
Increased skin sensitivity
Hormonal and vascular changes can make your skin more reactive. Waxing and chemical treatments may produce a different response than they did before pregnancy, even if you've received those services many times before.
Limited safety research
Many elective cosmetic treatments haven't been adequately studied in pregnant clients. When a treatment can wait, I believe it's reasonable to choose the more cautious option.
You have enough on your plate
Between preparing for baby, managing your changing body, and getting ready for delivery, you deserve to prioritize your comfort. There's no need to squeeze in one more appointment when your body is asking you to slow down.
My third-trimester pause is a conservative studio policy, not a statement that every beauty treatment has been proven dangerous late in pregnancy.
I'll look forward to welcoming you back when you're ready after baby arrives!
A Few Pregnancy Skincare Tips
You don't have to give up on your skin just because your routine needs a little adjustment.
Keep it gentle. A mild cleanser and a moisturizer suited to your skin can go a long way.
Wear sunscreen. Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher helps protect against pregnancy-related pigmentation changes.
Review your ingredients. Avoid retinoids during pregnancy, and ask your healthcare provider about ingredients you're unsure of.
Don't chase every breakout. Pregnancy-related acne and pigmentation can be frustrating, but aggressive treatments aren't always the answer.
Ask before trying something new. Your OB-GYN or midwife can help you evaluate skincare ingredients and treatments for your individual pregnancy.
Have Questions About a Service?
Every pregnancy is different, and I never want you to feel uncomfortable asking whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
If you're expecting and wondering what you can book, reach out before scheduling. I'm happy to walk you through your options, review the products involved, and help you decide whether to proceed or wait.
My goal is always the same: to help you feel comfortable and cared for, without compromising the cautious approach I believe is important during pregnancy.
Congratulations again, mama. Take care of yourself, give yourself some grace, and remember that it's okay to press pause on beauty treatments while you focus on growing your little one. 💗
Please note: This article provides general educational information, not medical advice. Pregnancy-related treatment decisions should be discussed with your prenatal healthcare provider. Individual health circumstances, product formulations, and manufacturer instructions may affect whether a service is appropriate.
xoxo
Jen Fox, Licensed Esthetician
Jen Fox is the owner of Fox Beauty Studios in Oregon City, Oregon, specializing in personalized skincare treatments and Korean skincare
