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Cosmetic and beauty treatments while breastfeeding

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
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During lactation, the female body reacts more strongly than usual to toxins, aggressive components and external factors, preventing them from penetrating into milk. The increased amount of hormones distorts the action of chemicals, which can cause side effects and undesirable consequences. Therefore, some cosmetic and beauty procedures are undesirable at this time.

What can and cannot be done by a nursing mother? Procedures using acidic substances, dyes, ultraviolet light, exposure to physical force and high temperature, painful manipulations are not recommended.

The following risks are possible:

  • Acid peels can cause blotchiness of the skin.
  • Hair is dyed unevenly and the wrong color.
  • Curled locks quickly straighten out or do not hold their shape.
  • Extended nails and eyelashes do not hold well.
  • Solarium provokes skin neoplasms, including malignant ones.
  • Increased stress leads to the release of toxins into milk.
  • Injection plastic surgery is strictly contraindicated during lactation.

Popular services include scrubs, peelings, light massage, myostimulation and some others. More intensive procedures, including figure restoration, are recommended after the end of lactation.

Can a nursing mother get a tattoo?

Young mothers often wonder whether it is possible to do tattooing for a nursing mother or not? In professional salons they know what can and cannot be done for a nursing mother, and usually refuse such manipulations. Although in practice there are quite successful operations, without any negative consequences.

To understand why not, it is important to know about the sensations and possible problems during the procedure. The first reason is a decrease in the pain threshold, which occurs under the influence of hormones that affect lactation. From a seemingly harmless procedure, a woman feels many times more pain. It is especially painful to get a tattoo on the face.

It is clear that there are painkillers, and in a normal physiological state, a woman is prescribed lidocaine locally. But this drug is indicated during lactation with a caveat: if the expected benefit exceeds the potential risk... Tattooing is unlikely to be the case.

  • Refusals from the procedure are also related to the fact that coloring pigments, due to high hormonal levels, may not be accepted, quickly dissolve or distort the desired color. Since such reactions are individual, no one can predict them.

An important contraindication is also related to the fact that the mother's painful stress is transmitted to the child with milk, and he becomes irritable and restless. Moreover, the milk may disappear completely, and it is unlikely that the mother should take such a risk because of a dubious whim.

There are other factors that do not contribute to tattooing: the risk of allergies, infection, and the difficulty of post-manipulation care. For example, the skin needs to be lubricated, not wet, and not go outside for several days. Who will look after the baby during this period, and whether such sacrifices are necessary, is up to the mother to decide.

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Can a nursing mother get eyebrow tattooing?

The answer to whether a nursing mother can do eyebrow tattooing or not will be negative in any salon. There are several reasons for this. Professional masters also refuse this service to all pregnant women. To find out what a nursing mother can and cannot do in a beauty salon, let's look at eyebrow tattooing - why is it not allowed?

  • When performing the manipulation, the skin is damaged, with the risk of infection. In this way, serious diseases are transmitted - HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, papillomavirus infections.
  • Pigment ingredients may cause allergies.
  • The analgesics used, as well as the dyes, can cause anaphylactic shock in the child.
  • Often the result is far from what is desired: weak intensity and rapid fading of the paint.

However, in any prohibitions, the option is relevant: if it is forbidden, but you really want to... Experts give advice on how to minimize the listed risks. In particular, they recommend choosing a proven specialist and a salon that meets all sanitary criteria. Study reviews, warn that you are a nursing mother. And if possible, refuse anesthesia. Otherwise, be sure to express milk after the procedure.

Can nursing mothers do keratin straightening?

The essence of keratin styling is that a film is created on hair treated with a special substance. When treated with a heated device, it melts, seals defective areas on the hairs, making them smooth and shiny.

The procedure seems harmless, but the answer to the question of whether keratin straightening can be done by nursing mothers is negative. The reason is that the composition of the straightening agent contains formaldehyde. Under the influence of heat, it is released into the air, as evidenced by the characteristic smell, and creates a danger to the respiratory system.

The evaporation is toxic, and when inhaled, such vapors affect the composition of milk, and large doses provoke inflammation and even skin cancer. In this regard, in many countries of the European Union and in the United States, the amount of formaldehyde is strictly controlled. Therefore, there is no need to doubt what a nursing mother can and cannot do with her hair: keratin procedures should be postponed until the end of feeding.

As an alternative, salons offer straightening with other compounds. They do not hold the style as effectively, but they do not contain harmful aldehydes, and this is the main thing for a responsible mother.

Can a nursing mother have an anti-cellulite massage?

Anti-cellulite massage is a manual, rather aggressive and painful procedure. The massage therapist may use honey. That is why this method of combating cellulite is not recommended for nursing mothers.

What a nursing mother can and cannot do to restore her figure is a separate question. And no matter how much you want to get rid of the "orange peel" as quickly as possible, you still need to clarify when a nursing mother can do an anti-cellulite massage?

  • The answer is ambiguous: it all depends on the type of massage. The classic procedure, using a special cream, is allowed during lactation. The main thing is to use a cream intended for nursing mothers.

Ultrasonic and vacuum options are contraindicated: after them, too many toxins enter the blood, affecting milk.

Anti-cellulite treatment after childbirth is easy to organize at home. Scrubbing and wrapping will require a little time and effort. Sea salt with olive oil, coffee grounds with essential oils are inexpensive but effective scrubs. And ground coffee, cinnamon, red pepper and other available ingredients are suitable for wrapping.

Can nursing mothers do microblading?

The smart word microblading is a synonym for eyebrow tattooing. Many women who want to look attractive at all stages of life are interested in whether microblading can be done by nursing mothers. After all, there is very little time left for yourself with the birth of a child, and the main convenience of tattooing is that it lasts much longer than makeup.

Among the recommendations on what a nursing mother can and cannot do, there is no categorical ban on microblading. However, most salons will refuse you the procedure. The reason is that for other methods using pigments, fixing agents and other chemicals:

  • increased sensitivity and pain in the body during lactation;
  • unpredictability of the “behavior” of the chemical and the resulting color;
  • Pigments may contain harmful ingredients;
  • the possibility of poor quality and short-term coloring.

Tattooing itself is a safe procedure because the dye is unable to penetrate into milk. The danger is that during this painful procedure, anesthetics are administered, and they will certainly end up in the blood and mammary gland.

And if you risk microblading without anesthesia, then the pain stress can adversely affect milk production, up to and including its cessation. This is the main risk of microblading.

Can breastfeeding mothers undergo eyelash lamination?

Our contemporaries not only follow trends, but also find the opportunity to try out progressive cosmetic techniques. And they suspend their activity only during the period of bearing and feeding a child.

Lamination has become an integral part of the lives of women who care about their appearance and health. Those who have successfully given birth soon renew their interest in such procedures and have an irresistible desire to know what a nursing mother can and cannot do. In the context of the peculiarities of caring for the hairy areas of the head, they ask specialists whether it is possible for nursing mothers to do eyelash lamination?

Lamination not only makes eyelashes more beautiful, but also makes them easier to care for and healthier. Exhausted hairs become more manageable, thicker and much more voluminous. Fixed eyelashes stay in a beautiful natural curve for more than two months. A protective film protects them from adverse factors.

  • It is very convenient that they can be washed, painted, slept on - without the risk of spoiling this beauty. The process is considered completely safe during lactation.

Contraindications may only be individual characteristics: intolerance, tendency to allergies, eye diseases, surgery, injuries and inflammations in this area.

Can nursing mothers do wraps?

In the context of what a nursing mother can and cannot do, wraps are relevant as a way to eliminate cellulite in certain areas of the body. The problem arises as a consequence of pregnancy and worries most women who want to regain their previous weight and beauty of the figure after childbirth.

Whether nursing mothers can do wraps is, of course, an interesting question. During pregnancy, fatty tissues are deposited under the influence of hormones that slow down metabolism. Experts also talk about the mother's instinctive desire to stock up on nutrients for the future child. And during feeding, another hormone is formed that supports the deposition of loose subcutaneous tissue on the stomach, thighs, and buttocks.

Massage, water procedures, wraps – all these anti-cellulite techniques are recommended during lactation, but they should be chosen individually and with caution. Safe components for anti-cellulite procedures are honey and cocoa, if the baby is not prone to allergies. Food film and natural cosmetics are not harmful, because their effect on the mammary glands is excluded.

The best time for wraps is the spring-summer season. In cold weather, the procedures are less effective due to the natural seasonal slowdown of metabolic processes.

Hot wraps, cosmetics with unclear composition, and all types of clay used during procedures are strictly prohibited.

Can breastfeeding mothers get Botox?

Botox is a popular anti-aging procedure using botulinum toxin. It causes temporary paralysis of facial muscles and smoothing of wrinkles. The substance is considered safe for adults who are not prone to allergies. But can Botox be done by nursing mothers who are responsible for the health of their children?

The aggressive composition of Botox leaves no chance for women interested in what a nursing mother can and cannot do. An injection of this substance has a very bad effect on the child: allergies, sleep and digestion disorders, delays in growth and development are just some of the terrible consequences that a baby is exposed to as a result of beauty injections. And there may be unforeseen results that are not at all desirable.

Unpleasant surprises also await a woman who decides to combine a course of Botox with lactation: swelling, asymmetry, drooping eyelids are the most common complications. It is unlikely that temporary beauty is worth such experiments. Moreover, you can look for more gentle methods: high-quality creams, natural masks, rejuvenating procedures allowed during lactation.

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Can a nursing mother undergo chemotherapy?

Some women think that restrictions apply only during pregnancy, and after giving birth they can relax and quickly "make themselves beautiful". They are surprised to hear about what a nursing mother can and cannot do, including with her hair.

Since there is really less time for self-care, many decide that it is already possible for a nursing mother to do perm. Contrary to the prevailing opinion that hair changed under the influence of hormones does not accept dyes and various chemicals.

Experts believe that "chemistry" and lactation are quite compatible, and an unsuccessful perm can be a consequence of low-quality reagents or incorrect technology. However, the following question arises: how do aggressive chemicals affect milk and the child?

  • The answer is also reassuring: due to the fact that the reagents are applied only to a small area of the head, the chemical procedure does not affect the quality of the milk.

For those mothers who are not satisfied with this answer, but do not want to give up the perm, hairdressers offer a compromise: a more gentle bio-perm or carving - both methods without the use of aggressive components. The effect of this method is less pronounced, but it is also allowed to be repeated more often than the classic "perm".

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Can breastfeeding mothers do highlights?

You can't forbid being beautiful - this common phrase is not always appropriate. Women who have given birth are ready to confirm this, because no matter how much they want to become elegant and well-groomed again, the first thing they ask competent people is: what can and cannot be done by a nursing mother? For example, can nursing mothers do highlights or is it better to dye their hair if their condition has worsened during pregnancy?

Dyeing your hair is harmful for several reasons:

  • ammonia in the paint is dangerous for mother and child;
  • An unstable hormonal background does not contribute to high-quality coloring.

That is why experts speak in favor of highlighting. The procedure is less dangerous and quite effective. The main thing is that it is performed by professionals, according to the rules and instructions. The advantage is that the chemical is applied only to the hair, not to the skin, so it does not get into milk and the child's body.

However, to be completely sure, on the day when the mother visits the salon, it is better to express milk beforehand and feed the baby with it, and in the morning continue with the usual feeding. It is also recommended that the mother take a walk for an hour to air out the chemical smell remaining after highlighting: the baby will definitely not like it.

By following these precautions, a woman will enjoy a new hairstyle and will not harm the health of her loved one.

Can a nursing mother have a facial cleansing?

It is known that after childbirth a woman blossoms and becomes younger. But sometimes problems arise that cannot be dealt with on your own, especially since it is not always clear what a nursing mother can and cannot do. Experts advise not to get upset over trifles, since you can always find a safe option and means for self-care. The main thing is to inform a specialist about your condition.

Compared to pregnant women, nursing mothers have access to a larger number of salon procedures. The restrictions apply mainly to manipulations using laser and radiofrequency equipment. For example, the question of whether a nursing mother can have her face cleaned does not cause concern or doubt. Facial massage is also recommended and useful.

Some experts believe that if the skin is not problematic, then ultrasonic cleaning can be done. Others advise not to do this until the end of lactation. Many salons actually refuse this service to nursing mothers. The reason is the unpredictable reaction of the skin to the procedure.

Can a nursing mother do peeling?

Most cosmetologists and plastic surgeons clearly know what a nursing mother can and cannot do in salons and clinics. Before going to a salon or clinic, mothers find out what procedures are beneficial for them. One of the popular questions is whether a nursing mother can do peeling, or should she abstain for now?

  • Let us recall that during peeling, dead epithelial cells are destroyed and removed under the influence of special substances. This stimulates skin regeneration and rejuvenation. There are superficial, medium, and deep peelings. Potentially, all of them are harmful, and chemical manufacturers warn about this.

Medium and deep peels are especially harmful for the baby. The methods use strong agents that can penetrate the bloodstream and breast milk. Some are certainly harmful, others have hardly been studied.

Only a superficial procedure is safe, but it is not recommended for nursing mothers, whose hormones can play a cruel joke. There is a risk of developing permanent spots or other defects that worsen the appearance. According to observations, the hormone level decreases by 9 months, and after about a year it becomes normal.

Can breastfeeding mothers undergo laser hair removal?

When hormone levels change, hair growth on the body often increases. A woman who has given birth is forced to deal with this somehow. In this regard, the cosmetic issue becomes relevant - can nursing mothers do laser hair removal?

  • Doctors do not prohibit the use of laser. If there are no contraindications, the procedure does not harm either the mother or the baby and does not affect the quality of milk. Immediately after epilation, you can put the baby to the breast.

What a nursing mother can and cannot do, as well as what to pay attention to, is to carefully follow the post-rehabilitation recommendations: apply cream, do not wash, and especially protect from the sun.

In order to be sure whether it is possible to take laser sessions, a lactating woman should consult with three specialists - a gynecologist, a dermatologist and an endocrinologist. Doctors do not recommend epilation for the following diseases:

  • skin inflammation and herpes in the acute stage;
  • varicose veins;
  • in the presence of keloid scars;
  • decompensated diabetes;
  • ischemia;
  • severe hypertension.

Can a nursing mother do shellac?

Shellac is a type of manicure, an innovation for fashionistas, invented to replace the recently popular acrylic and then extended gel nails. The coating combines gel and varnish, lasts a long time and strengthens the nail plates. It suits both short and long nails, looks beautiful, lasts up to 3 weeks. Can a nursing mother do shellac if the procedure involves the use of chemicals and takes a lot of time?

Shellac is done in salons, using special tools and a UV lamp. It is impossible to do such a manicure well at home. It is done in stages, in several layers, after preliminary preparation. It is fixed by drying with ultraviolet light.

  • To achieve the desired result, a woman will need patience and time. What a nursing mother can and cannot do is waste time on unnecessary things, leaving the child without feeding and your attention for a long time.

As for harm, shellac does not contain any potentially dangerous components such as formaldehyde. Therefore, shellac is not prohibited even for pregnant women. If a nursing mother can find time from her busy schedule, no salon will refuse her the procedure.

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