Are Facials Safe During Pregnancy? What to Get and Skip

Short answer: are facials safe during pregnancy? For many people a gentle facial is an option: limited research suggests many common cosmetic treatments have good safety profiles in pregnancy, but safety depends on the specific ingredients and devices, and the evidence is thin. Dermatology sources say to avoid retinoids and hydroquinone, limit high-strength salicylic acid, and skip cosmetic laser and pulsed-light treatments until after delivery. Tell the studio you're pregnant when you book, ask what each product contains, and check anything you're unsure about with your OB-GYN. Below is what the sources say, and how JH Beauty's regular Sunnyvale menu lines up.

Pregnancy Facial Safety at a Glance

A summary of the sources discussed below. The evidence behind every row is limited, so treat it as a starting point for a conversation with your OB-GYN.

Treatment or ingredient	What the cited sources say	In short
Retinoids (retinol, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, isotretinoin)	On the AAD's avoid list during pregnancy	Avoid
Hydroquinone	On the AAD's avoid list during pregnancy	Avoid
Salicylic acid above 2%	AAD: use sparingly at high doses. 2017 review: salicylic acid peels should be avoided or used with caution	Limit; ask your OB-GYN
Benzoyl peroxide, parabens and phthalates	AAD: use sparingly	Limit
Glycolic and lactic acid peels	2017 review: "deemed safe," though safety data are insufficient	Ask which acids a peel contains; ask your OB-GYN
TCA peels	2017 review: should be avoided or used with caution	Ask your OB-GYN
Laser and intense pulsed light, including JH Beauty's DPL PhotoTherapy and DPL Hair-Removal	2017 review: not indicated for cosmetic procedures during pregnancy due to the lack of safety data; permanent hair removal not recommended	Wait until after delivery
Melasma treatment	2017 review: not recommended during pregnancy, since melasma may improve postpartum	Wait until after delivery
Radiofrequency, microcurrent and cold-plasma devices, including RF V-Lifting, Italy Quantus and Plasmas & LDM	We found no pregnancy safety research	Ask your OB-GYN first
JH Beauty's Hydrofacial, European Deep Cleaning, Vital-C and Chemical Peeling treatments	No treatment-specific research; the menu doesn't list full ingredients	Tell the studio you're pregnant and ask what each product contains
Physical sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)	AAD suggests it during pregnancy to avoid skin irritation	Recommended

Why the Advice Is Cautious

There isn't much direct research on cosmetic treatments in pregnancy. A 2017 systematic review in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology, "A review of the safety of cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and lactation," had to rely on case reports and case series "due to a lack of controlled trials." Its conclusion is that "better evidence is needed to make concrete recommendations," although preliminary evidence suggests many commonly requested procedures have good safety profiles.

That's why most advice on pregnancy facials is framed as caution rather than proof. A treatment isn't necessarily harmful because it's on an "avoid" list; it's often there because nobody has shown it's safe. The practical upshot is the same: when in doubt, choose the gentler option and ask your OB-GYN.

The American Academy of Dermatology's pregnancy skin care advice ends on the same point: tell your obstetrician and dermatologist about all the medications and prescription skin care you use, because they can help update your treatment plan during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Ingredients to Avoid or Limit

The AAD lists these to avoid during pregnancy:

• Retinoids, including prescription acne treatments such as isotretinoin, tretinoin and tazarotene, and over-the-counter products containing retinol or adapalene. If a facial serum is described as "anti-aging," ask for the ingredient list.
• Hydroquinone, a skin-lightening ingredient.
• Finasteride and spironolactone, medicines used for hair loss and acne.

And these to use sparingly:

• Salicylic acid at high doses (greater than 2%).
• Benzoyl peroxide.
• Parabens and phthalates.

For sunscreen, the AAD suggests choosing a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both during pregnancy to avoid skin irritation.

What the Research Says About Common Facial Treatments

The 2017 review covers several procedures relevant to facials:

• Glycolic and lactic acid peels are "deemed safe," largely because of negligible penetration into the skin, though the authors note safety data are insufficient. Lactic acid 2% has been used anecdotally for pregnancy acne with no reported fetal risks.
• Salicylic acid and TCA peels "should be avoided or used with caution." Salicylic acid can penetrate significantly if large areas are treated, so if it's used, the review recommends limiting the area covered.
• Laser and intense pulsed light "are not indicated for cosmetic procedures during pregnancy due to the lack of safety data."
• Hair removal: permanent hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy; the review advises waxing, shaving and depilatory creams instead.
• Melasma: the review notes that treating pregnancy-related changes that may improve postpartum, such as melasma, is not recommended during pregnancy.

We didn't find pregnancy safety research on radiofrequency skin tightening, microcurrent or cold-plasma devices. If a treatment you're considering uses one, discuss it with your OB-GYN before booking.

For uneven skin tone at home, the AAD article quotes a dermatologist recommending a vitamin C product in the morning and a glycolic acid product in the evening, which can help prevent and treat changes to skin color.

How JH Beauty's Menu Lines Up

JH Beauty doesn't have a separate pregnancy menu, and the menu doesn't list the full ingredients of each treatment. Here is how the regular menu compares with the sources above. Tell the studio you're pregnant when you book and ask what each treatment uses.

Treatments to ask about:

• Hydrofacial [Japanese Hydrogen/or Korean AbbasPlas] — $358, 90 minutes. The menu describes a "Hydrogen+Hydroveil" treatment; it doesn't list the serums, so ask whether any contain retinoids or salicylic acid.
• European Deep Cleaning Facial — $168, 75 minutes, a deep cleansing and hydrating facial. Ask which products are used.
• Vital-C Brightening Antioxidants Facial — $218, 75 minutes. The menu says it is part of the Professional-C portfolio. Our vitamin C facial guide covers it in more detail.
• Chemical Peeling Series Treatment — $278, 90 minutes. The review above treats glycolic and lactic peels differently from salicylic and TCA peels, so ask which acids this peel contains and clear it with your OB-GYN.

Treatments the sources suggest postponing or checking first:

• Italian DPL PhotoTherapy ($288) and the Korean DPL Hair-Removal treatments: the 2017 review says laser and intense pulsed light are not indicated for cosmetic use in pregnancy and advises against permanent hair removal.
• RF Anti-aging V-Lifting Therapy, Italy Quantus Thermal Remodeling and Plasmas & LDM Top Tech Therapy: we found no pregnancy safety data for these device types; ask your OB-GYN first.
• The Organic Essential-Oil Advanced Facial and essential-oil scalp treatments: ask what oils are used and check with your OB-GYN.

Preparing for a Facial While Pregnant

• Say you're pregnant when you book, and mention how far along you are and any complications.
• Bring your list. Ask to see ingredient lists for anything going on your skin, and compare them with the AAD's avoid-and-limit lists above.
• Mention new sensitivities and ask for a patch test before anything new.
• Don't lie flat for long later in pregnancy. From about 20 weeks, Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Salena Zanotti explains, the growing uterus can press on the aorta and inferior vena cava when you lie on your back, reducing blood flow back to the heart; trouble breathing or a racing heart is a sign to roll onto your side. She notes that even a 20- to 30-degree tilt relieves that pressure, so ask for the bed to be angled or for a pillow or wedge behind your back, and ask for a break whenever you need one.
• Mention heat. If a treatment involves steam, hot towels or a heated device, tell your esthetician you're pregnant and ask your OB-GYN if you're unsure.
• Tell the studio about medicines you use, including prescription skincare.

What About Breastfeeding?

The same 2017 review found that most of the procedures it discussed are considered safe during lactation, with fat transfer, sclerotherapy and tumescent liposuction the exceptions, none of which are facials. But breastfeeding safety depends on the specific medicine or ingredient, so the AAD's advice applies here too: tell your obstetrician and dermatologist what you use so they can help update your plan during breastfeeding.

Postpartum Hair Shedding

Many new parents notice heavy hair shedding a few months after birth. The American Academy of Dermatology says it is caused by falling estrogen levels, usually peaks about four months after giving birth, and that most women regain normal hair growth by their child's first birthday. We found no evidence that spa scalp treatments shorten postpartum shedding, so don't book one expecting that. If you'd like scalp care for comfort while you wait it out, JH Beauty's scalp menu includes CO2 spring-water scalp treatments (from $218) and the Hydrogen Water Fusion scalp treatment ($258, 75 minutes); some scalp options use essential oils, so ask what's used.

FAQ: Pregnancy Facials

Can I get a facial in the first trimester?

The sources above don't set trimester-specific rules for gentle facials. The same ingredient cautions apply throughout pregnancy. If you're unsure, or feeling unwell, check with your OB-GYN and wait until you feel comfortable.

Can I get a facial in the second trimester?

The ingredient cautions are the same in every trimester; the sources above don't set different rules for the second. What changes is positioning: from about 20 weeks, lying flat on your back can press on major blood vessels, so ask for the treatment bed to be tilted 20 to 30 degrees or for a pillow behind your back, and sit up if you feel short of breath or lightheaded.

Can pregnant women get facials?

Yes, with care. A 2017 review found preliminary evidence that many common cosmetic procedures have good safety profiles, while noting the evidence is limited. Avoid retinoids and hydroquinone, limit salicylic acid above 2%, postpone laser and pulsed light, and check anything you're unsure about with your OB-GYN.

Can I get a chemical peel while pregnant?

A 2017 review considered glycolic and lactic acid peels safe, based on limited data, and said salicylic acid and TCA peels should be avoided or used with caution. Ask which acids a peel contains and check with your OB-GYN.

Can I get IPL, DPL or laser treatments while pregnant?

The 2017 review says laser and intense pulsed light are not indicated for cosmetic procedures during pregnancy because of the lack of safety data. Postpone them until after delivery.

Can facials treat melasma during pregnancy?

The 2017 review notes that treating melasma during pregnancy isn't recommended, since it may improve postpartum, and hydroquinone is on the AAD's avoid list. The AAD suggests a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide during pregnancy.

Are HydraFacials safe while pregnant?

We found no pregnancy-specific safety research. Ask what's in the serums and boosters, and avoid any containing retinoids or high-strength salicylic acid. JH Beauty's Hydrofacial is its own hydrogen-based treatment rather than the HydraFacial brand; ask the studio what it uses.

What should I tell the studio when I book?

That you're pregnant, how far along, any complications, any new skin sensitivities, and all the medicines and skincare you use.