By Angela Messer, MS, Teratogen Information Specialist, MotherToBaby California
“I love the way my eyebrows look!” Emily exclaimed upon discovering she was six weeks pregnant, having begun the microblading process before she knew about her pregnancy. Microblading, a cosmetic tattooing technique that uses a tool with small needles to add semi-permanent pigment to the skin, is a common beauty procedure. However, Emily needed guidance, as online searches provided mixed answers about continuing microblading during pregnancy.
At MotherToBaby, we often receive questions like Emily’s. As new beauty trends emerge, many women wonder if they can safely start or continue treatments such as microblading during pregnancy. These procedures often require multiple visits, spread over weeks or months, prompting concerns about their safety during the nine months of pregnancy.
The challenge in addressing Emily’s question lies in the scarcity of information about the safety of such procedures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Due to limited research, we cannot definitively say how these procedures might affect a pregnancy or a breastfed infant.
Understanding the Risks
Ink and Pigment Concerns
The pigments used in microblading consist of chemical compounds, like oxides, which can be pre-mixed or mixed by the cosmetic tattoo artist. However, it remains uncertain how much pigment, if any, is absorbed into the skin, enters the bloodstream, crosses the placenta, and reaches the baby. This uncertainty also applies to breastfeeding mothers, as we lack data on pigment transfer to breast milk.
Possibility of Infection
Another critical consideration is the risk of infection. Microblading involves depositing pigment into the skin’s outer layer using tiny needles, which might not always be fully sterilized, leading to potential health issues such as staph infections, abscesses, skin inflammation, or infections like Hepatitis B and HIV. These conditions might require antibiotics or other medications for treatment, posing additional risks to both mother and baby. Thus, choosing a reputable business with stringent hygiene practices is crucial if you opt for microblading during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Pain Management
Some women report experiencing pain during microblading. In such cases, the tattoo artist might suggest using pain relievers like topical lidocaine cream or Tylenol (acetaminophen). During pregnancy and breastfeeding, Tylenol is generally considered the preferred pain reliever by healthcare professionals. Topical applications, like lidocaine, typically result in minimal absorption into the bloodstream, posing little risk to the pregnancy.
Considering these additional exposures is essential when deciding whether to proceed with microblading during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Making an Informed Decision
Given these unknowns, evaluating the potential risks to a developing baby or breastfed infant can be challenging. Ultimately, it comes down to weighing the risks versus the benefits, a conversation I had with Emily during our chat. Reassured by her visit to a licensed cosmetic tattoo artist, Emily decided to wait until she was no longer pregnant or breastfeeding before continuing her treatment. “My eyebrows might not look as great for the next year, but I won’t have to constantly worry about the ink reaching the baby or the possibility of infection,” she concluded.
If you have questions about microblading while pregnant or breastfeeding, don’t hesitate to contact a MotherToBaby specialist by phone, text, chat, or email. We are here to help.
About the Author
Angela Messer, MS, is a Teratogen Information Specialist with MotherToBaby California. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Chapman University and a Master’s degree from Kansas State University in academic advising/counseling. Angela has been with MotherToBaby since 2009 and has a special interest in maternal medical conditions during pregnancy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in her hometown of San Diego, CA, with her husband and 9-month-old daughter.
About MotherToBaby
MotherToBaby is a service of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), recommended by agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, call MotherToBaby toll-free at 866-626-6847 or try our text information service by texting questions to (855) 999-3525. Visit MotherToBaby.org to explore a library of fact sheets on various exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or download the MotherToBaby app available on Android and iOS markets. Don’t forget to subscribe to The MotherToBaby Podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify, and other platforms.
