Medical expert of the article
New publications
Peeling in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
[ Retinoic peeling when planning pregnancy
Women should know: retinoic peeling is prohibited when planning pregnancy and during gestation. Peeling with this acid is deeper than peeling with salicylic acid. It has been established that the structure of the metabolite of retinol (vitamin A) - retinoic acid - is similar to steroid hormones and plays a key role in embryonic development. When penetrating through cell membranes, retinoic acid acts through receptors on the proteins of cell nuclei, binds to them and begins to regulate the transfer of genetic information (gene expression) in the cells of the developing embryo. This disrupts the process of differentiation of cells and tissues, causing various mutations.
Even in pharmaceutical preparations, according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, USA), retinoic acid has been found to be highly teratogenic.
Since retinoic acid peeling is usually performed in combination with salicylic acid peeling (the so-called Jessner peeling), the retinoic acid penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin. The client walks around with the chemical solution on her face, and only after two days does the peeling process take place.
In addition to the above risks, retinoic peeling during pregnancy can create health risks, including skin injuries and scars. Due to the decrease in the body's defenses, the healing and regeneration of epithelial cells in pregnant women can slow down, which is fraught with infection of the facial skin.
So, peeling is contraindicated during pregnancy, but you can take care of yourself by using appropriate skin moisturizers. It is harmful to take a hot shower and wash with hot water, it is better to use warm and then cool water - the skin will dry out and itch less. And overseas obstetricians and gynecologists advise pregnant women to use arnica oil to lubricate acne, apply sunscreen (SPF not less than 15), eat right, drink enough fluids. And stay away from any chemical procedures on the skin.
Facial peeling during pregnancy: real and possible consequences
Due to hormonal changes in the body, the skin of many pregnant women becomes drier and begins to peel by the end of the first trimester of gestation. Dry skin can be the result of a lack of fluid in the body: a woman drinks little water, while during pregnancy the body has to increase the volume of blood.
Others, on the contrary, begin to work more intensively sebaceous glands, and acne appears. In many, estrogen and progesterone stimulate the synthesis of melanin, and pigment spots (chloasma) appear on the skin of the face. In general, there are enough skin problems. Do you want to solve them and do a chemical peeling during pregnancy?
Chemical peeling of the skin is performed using natural hydroxycarboxylic acids, in particular, hydroxyacetic or glycolic. For deeper peeling, trichloroacetic acid is used.
Glycolic acid (obtained by oxidation of ethylene glycol or reduction of oxalic acid) disrupts intracellular “bridges” between keratinocytes, dehydrates and practically destroys the upper layer of skin so that the cells die and flake off. In medical language, this process is called desquamation. In essence, cosmetic peeling (in English, peel - husk, remove skin, cleanse) is a deliberate damage and loss of the upper layer of skin (epidermis); its purpose is to accelerate the regeneration of the superficial layer of skin damaged by UV radiation. New epidermal cells contain more substances that make the skin more elastic and smooth, fine wrinkles on the cheeks, forehead and around the eyes, as well as vertical wrinkles around the mouth are smoothed out for some time. This procedure is considered rejuvenating and is intended for those who have obvious signs of photoaging on the skin of the face. However, no peeling can stop the photoaging process itself.
Glycolic peeling is contraindicated during pregnancy; this procedure should also not be performed in the presence of the herpes simplex virus, diabetes, infectious and autoimmune diseases.
In industry (metallurgical, mechanical engineering, oil and gas, leather), glycolic acid is used to clean various surfaces; its use in cosmetology is associated with keratolytic properties. However, there is no reliable information that hydroxyacetic acid "promotes collagen synthesis". Collagen has a protein structure and is produced in several stages with the participation of many enzymes...
Potential complications of glycolic peels include scarring, increased photosensitivity, prolonged erythema, pigmentation abnormalities, skin atrophy, and changes in skin texture. Doctors also warn that acid solutions used in chemical peels may activate latent herpes infections.
Almond peeling is also contraindicated during pregnancy (peeling with almond acid), which can lead to similar consequences.