In short
- Tell the studio you are pregnant when you book, and check with your doctor if you have any concerns.
- Dermatologists advise avoiding retinoids and some other ingredients during pregnancy.
- Skin often changes in pregnancy; a facial is cosmetic care and does not treat melasma or acne.
- At RRYL, the Pregnancy Facial is 60 minutes with Bouchra and leaves out retinoids, strong peels and other ingredients not recommended during pregnancy. Listed price $250.
The short answer
A facial is cosmetic skin care, and many people keep it in their routine during pregnancy. What changes is the detail. Some ingredients that are common in facials and home routines are ones dermatologists advise avoiding while pregnant, and skin often behaves differently for these months. So a facial during pregnancy is best given by someone who knows you are pregnant and plans the treatment around it. If you have any concerns, about a facial or about your skin, check with your doctor or midwife first.
Why your skin can feel different
Hormonal changes in pregnancy often show up in the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology lists melasma (darker patches on the face), acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin and sensitive skin among the changes people notice. A 2023 review in American Family Physician describes hyperpigmentation as the most common skin change in pregnancy, reports melasma in up to 75% of patients, and notes that acne can worsen, especially in the second and third trimesters.
A facial does not treat any of these, and no one should promise that it will clear breakouts or fade pigmentation. What a gentle facial can offer is careful cleansing, considered products and an hour set aside for you.
Ingredients dermatologists advise avoiding
The American Academy of Dermatology advises avoiding several ingredients during pregnancy, including retinoids (the vitamin A family that includes retinol and tretinoin) and hydroquinone. It lists others to discuss with a dermatologist and to limit, among them salicylic acid above 2%, benzoyl peroxide and certain essential oils.
That matters in a treatment room, where peels, brightening products and exfoliating acids are common steps. It matters at home too: the AAD suggests telling your obstetrician and your dermatologist about every medication and prescription skin care product you use. If you use a vitamin A range such as Environ’s step-up system, check with your doctor first.
For sun protection, the AAD recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, and suggests a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both during pregnancy, to avoid irritation.
What changes in a pregnancy facial at RRYL
The RRYL Pregnancy Facial is a 60-minute facial with Bouchra Sfakes, one client at a time, in her private studio at 501 Fifth Avenue, Suite 707. Bouchra uses products and techniques chosen for pregnancy and leaves out retinoids, strong peels and other ingredients not recommended during pregnancy.
The appointment includes:
- Gentle cleansing
- A soft enzyme exfoliant, with no harsh acids
- Extractions of clogged pores and blackheads
- Light gua sha strokes over the face
- A hydrating mask
- Moisturizer and SPF to finish
Any concern about your skin is talked through with Bouchra at the start, and she advises on whether the facial suits you at that consultation. The listed price is $250.
A note on the gua sha step: Cleveland Clinic includes pregnancy among the reasons Gua Sha may not be a fit, and advises telling your practitioner about any health condition before a session, and we explain why in Does Gua Sha leave marks? In the Pregnancy Facial the gua sha strokes are light and over the face. If you are unsure, ask your doctor or midwife before you book, and tell Bouchra.
What to tell the studio, and what to ask your doctor
- Tell us you are pregnant when you book.
- Considering a device-based facial? Device makers list pregnancy as a reason not to use microcurrent; see Is a microcurrent facial right for you?
- Mention any prescription skin care or medication you use, and any skin condition, so Bouchra can take it into account.
- Check with your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns about having a facial, or about the products you use at home.
- Itching, a new rash or any skin change that worries you is a question for your doctor or midwife, not for a facialist.
Booking
On the Pregnancy Facial page, open Other Facials in the calendar and choose RRYL Pregnancy Facial. Appointments booked online are paid in full at booking; you can cancel or reschedule free of charge with at least 24 hours’ notice (see the studio policies). To see everything Bouchra offers, read the full treatment menu, or call the studio at (929) 293-5538 with any question before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a facial in my first trimester?
We don’t give medical advice about stages of pregnancy. Please tell us you are pregnant when you book and check with your doctor if you have any concerns; Bouchra advises on whether the facial suits you at the consultation.
Will a facial help with pregnancy acne or melasma?
A facial is cosmetic care, not a treatment for acne or melasma, and RRYL does not promise a result. For a skin condition, see a dermatologist.
Is this medical treatment?
No. The Pregnancy Facial is a cosmetic facial. It is not medical care and does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife.