Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Microneedling (also called collagen induction therapy) involves using a device with fine, short needles to create controlled micro-injuries to the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. The procedure may be performed with a roller device or an automated pen device, with needle…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Safe Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: LED (Light Emitting Diode) light therapy uses varying wavelengths of light to treat skin concerns without heat or trauma. Different wavelengths target different conditions: blue light (415-455 nm) typically targets acne-causing bacteria, red light (630-700 nm) aims to reduce inflammation and promote…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Keratin hair treatments (also called Brazilian blowouts or smoothing treatments) involve applying a keratin-based solution to hair, then sealing it with a flat iron to create smooth, frizz-free hair for several months. Traditional formulations often contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing compounds, though newer…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Botox (botulinum toxin) is used cosmetically to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles. Dermal fillers, including hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid, are injectable substances used to restore volume and smooth lines in the face. For individuals trying…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Microdermabrasion is a mechanical exfoliation procedure that uses fine crystals (typically aluminum oxide, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium chloride) or a diamond-tipped wand to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells. The procedure is non-invasive and does not involve chemical agents that…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Hair removal creams (depilatories) contain chemicals like calcium thioglycolate, potassium thioglycolate, or sodium hydroxide that break down the protein structure of hair, allowing it to be wiped away. These products typically have a distinctive sulfur odor and are applied topically for short…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Hair perms and relaxers contain chemicals that break and reform the bonds in hair to either create curls or straighten hair. Common ingredients include ammonium thioglycolate, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, guanidine hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide, which can vary in concentration and potential…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Avoid Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Avoid What We Know: Tanning beds emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, primarily UVA rays with smaller amounts of UVB, to induce skin pigmentation. This radiation can cause DNA damage and is classified as a known human carcinogen by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Limited Pregnancy: Avoid Breastfeeding: Limited What We Know: Microblading and permanent makeup are forms of cosmetic tattooing that use needles to deposit pigment into the dermal layer of the skin. These procedures are commonly used for eyebrows, eyeliner, and lip color enhancement, with microblading specifically referring to a manual technique…

Safety Status: Trying to Conceive: Safe Pregnancy: Limited Breastfeeding: Safe What We Know: Eyelash extensions involve attaching synthetic fibers to natural lashes using adhesives containing cyanoacrylate. Lash lifts use chemicals including thioglycolic acid to permanently curl natural lashes, similar to a perm for eyelashes. For individuals trying to conceive, eyelash extensions and lash lifts are…