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Key Takeaways
- A gentle facial is usually fine during an uncomplicated pregnancy, as long as the spa knows you are pregnant and adapts the treatment.
- Retinoids, hydroquinone, strong peels, heat-heavy steps and machines that pass an electrical current through the body are usually left out.
- Gentle cleansing, hydration, calming masks and careful manual care stay on the menu.
- Always tell your therapist before the session starts, so they can raise the bed, add pillows and keep the session shorter. Lying flat on your back for long periods is best avoided later in pregnancy.
- If you are in your first trimester, have a high-risk pregnancy or have any medical condition, check with your doctor before booking.
Pregnancy can change your skin quickly. Breakouts and dark patches are both common, and it is natural to want a facial to help, and just as natural to wonder whether it is safe.
This guide explains whether you can get a facial while pregnant, what is usually avoided, what is fine, and how a facial should be adapted in each trimester. It is general information, so always follow your own doctor’s advice for your pregnancy.
Can you get a facial while pregnant?
Yes, in most cases. A gentle facial is generally fine during an uncomplicated pregnancy, as long as the spa knows you are pregnant and adapts the treatment. The main adjustments are:
- Gentler products, with strong actives such as retinoids left out
- No machines that pass an electrical current through the body
- Less heat, with long steaming and hot stones shortened or skipped
- Comfortable positioning, so you are not lying flat on your back for long
- Shorter sessions if you tire easily
Tell the spa you are pregnant when you book, so the therapist can plan your treatment in advance.
What to avoid while pregnant
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Why it is avoided or limited |
|---|---|
| Retinoids, including retinol, tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene | These vitamin A-based ingredients are generally recommended to be avoided during pregnancy. Tazarotene is on the American Academy of Dermatology’s list of acne medications that can cause serious birth defects. |
| Isotretinoin, an oral acne medication | It can cause severe birth defects. |
| Hydroquinone, a pigmentation treatment | Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid it because its safety data is unclear. |
| Salicylic acid above 2% or over large areas | Salicylic acid can be absorbed through the skin when used over large areas. Low-strength use for a limited time is generally considered acceptable. |
Some milder acne ingredients may still be used in limited amounts, so check with your doctor before using any acne product during pregnancy.
Treatment steps
- Machines that pass an electrical current through the body. There is little safety data on these devices in pregnancy, so they are left out as a precaution.
- Laser and intense pulsed light (IPL). These are not recommended for cosmetic use during pregnancy.
- Long steaming, saunas and hot stones. Overheating is best avoided in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
- Strong chemical peels. Very mild peels are generally considered safe, but stronger peels can wait until after delivery.
- Deep extraction on painful or cystic acne. Deep, tender breakouts should be checked by a doctor rather than extracted.
What is perfectly fine
Plenty of facial steps stay on the menu.
- Gentle cleansing
- Hydrating serums and masks
- Calming, soothing treatments for sensitive skin
- Gentle extraction of suitable blackheads and whiteheads, after the skin has been properly softened
- Relaxing facial, scalp and shoulder massage
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen at the end of the treatment
A facial is also one of the gentler ways to look after yourself during pregnancy. If your skin feels dry or tight, our guide to hydrating vs anti-aging facials explains what a hydrating facial involves.
At My Cozy Room, we specialise in manual techniques, such as careful extraction and massage, so our facials do not rely heavily on machines. This makes them easy to adapt during pregnancy. Let us know you are pregnant, and we can customise a facial plan to take care of your skin throughout your pregnancy. Actress and content creator Tiffany Yong also shared her experience of having facials with us during her pregnancy.
Comfort matters
Comfort changes as your bump grows, and a considerate spa adjusts the treatment around you.
- Positioning. Lying flat on your back for long periods may make you feel faint later in pregnancy. The bed should be raised, with pillows to support you, and you can shift position whenever you are uncomfortable.
- Session length. A shorter session, or a break partway through, means you do not have to lie still for too long.
- Temperature. Keeping the room cool and comfortable, and skipping long steaming, helps you avoid overheating.
- Scents. If strong scents bother you, ask for unscented products.
- Speaking up. If you feel dizzy, hot or uncomfortable at any point, tell your therapist straight away.
Trimester by trimester
First trimester, weeks 1 to 12
Speak to your doctor before booking a facial in your first trimester. If you go ahead, keep it simple, with cleansing, hydration and calming care, and no heat-heavy steps.
Second trimester, weeks 13 to 27
Many women find the second trimester the most comfortable time for a facial. Gentle extraction of suitable blackheads and whiteheads is usually possible once the skin has been properly softened. Pregnancy raises the risk of dark marks after irritation, so extraction is kept light.
Third trimester, week 28 to birth
Lying down for long becomes harder, so shorter sessions with you propped up are more comfortable. A facial can still make sense late in pregnancy, as long as you are comfortable and your doctor has no concerns.
Booking a facial while pregnant
When you book, tell the spa:
- How many weeks pregnant you are
- Whether your pregnancy has any complications
- Any skincare or medication you are using, including prescription acne treatments
- Any advice your doctor has given you about treatments to avoid
- Which skin changes you would like help with
At My Cozy Room, we adapt your facial around your pregnancy and your skin on the day. Looking for a recommended facial in Singapore during pregnancy? Book through our contact page, or message us on WhatsApp.
If your partner would like a facial too, our men’s facial page covers treatments for male skin.
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