Facial During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Is It Safe and How Often Should You Get One?

FM

Medically reviewed by

Dr Fatimah Mustafah

Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

• M.D (UKM)
• M.O&G (Universiti Malaya)
• MMC 27460
• NSR 134372

Written by

Roseville Spa Team

Women therapists at Roseville Muslimah Spa, Bangi Gateway

Updated 30 October 2026 22 references

Disclosure: Dr Fatimah is one of Roseville’s owners.

What is a facial for? What happens in a session

A facial cleanses, moisturises and protects your skin. At Roseville Muslimah Spa, it has four steps:

1. Make-up removal and deep cleansing.
2. Facial steam, then blackhead and whitehead extraction.
3. Gentle scrub, peeling mask and nourishing mask.
4. Toner, moisturiser and sunscreen.

It leaves you feeling clean and relaxed, but it does not fix skin conditions or promise fairer, younger-looking or acne-free skin.

The NHS advises a gentle cleanser twice a day, removing make-up nightly and never squeezing spots, which can scar.

How often should you get a facial?

No medical guideline covers this. Ads cite a “skin cycle”, but estimates of how long the epidermis (outer skin layer) takes to renew vary; one calculation in the Journal of Dermatological Science put it at 47 to 48 days (Iizuka, 1994).

Strength matters more: the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says the more aggressive the exfoliation, the less often it is needed, and overdoing it leaves skin red and irritated.

Our suggestion: start once a month, then adjust to your skin. We found no advice by age, whether in your 20s, 30s or 40s.

Sensitive, acne-prone or darker skin

The AAD also warns:

• Sensitive skin: go fragrance-free, and skip the scrub or peel if it stings.
• On retinoids, retinol or benzoyl peroxide: extra exfoliation may cause dryness or breakouts.
• Darker skin or acne marks: avoid strong exfoliation, which can increase pigmentation.
• Open cuts or sunburn: postpone your facial.

How long does a facial take, and is there downtime?

It depends on the steps, so ask when you book and plan around feeds or school runs.

A basic facial uses gentle exfoliation, so there is usually no downtime, though you may look a little red afterwards. Clinic peels differ: the AAD says light peels take 1 to 7 days to settle, medium peels take 7 to 14 days, and deep peels take 14 to 21 days.

Facial during pregnancy: is it safe?

We found no guidance against basic facials in pregnancy. Take care with ingredients, smells, heat and your lying position.

Pregnancy can darken skin and make it burn more easily (NHS). Melasma, dark patches on the face, often starts in pregnancy and can fade after birth (AAD). A facial will not remove it. The AAD advises daily SPF 30 or higher, fragrance-free products and, in pregnancy, a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Ingredients to avoid or ask about first

Pregnancy column: AAD and a review by Bozzo and colleagues (2011) in Canadian Family Physician. Breastfeeding column: LactMed.

In Malaysia, hydroquinone and tretinoin are controlled as medicines for use only on a health professional’s advice, and mercury is banned in cosmetics (Ministry of Health, 2025).

First, second and third trimester

No source we found restricts basic facials to a specific trimester.

• First trimester: the NHS links nausea to hormone changes in the first 12 weeks and suggests avoiding smells that make you sick. Let your therapist know if smells bother you.
• Second trimester: sickness usually clears by weeks 16 to 20 (NHS).
• Third trimester: the NHS advises against lying flat on your back for more than a few minutes, as it can make you dizzy and is not good for your baby. Ask for pillows to prop you up (see our prenatal massage guide).

Steam warms only your face, unlike a sauna (see our sauna guide). We found no studies on facial steam in pregnancy; skip it if you feel hot, dizzy or sick.

Facials while breastfeeding

A facial is done away from the breast, so the concerns are absorption and your baby touching treated skin.

According to LactMed (US National Library of Medicine), topical tretinoin is poorly absorbed and low risk, salicylic acid on skin is considered safe, and hydroquinone has not been studied. Keep your baby away from treated skin.

Tip: feed before your session and wash your hands afterwards. In confinement? See our guides on postnatal massage and closing your pantang.

Muslimah facial: what to ask before booking

Many women want a female therapist and a private space. Ask before booking:

• Are all therapists women, and are sessions held in a private, closed room?
• Can my hair stay covered throughout?
• What is in the peeling mask and serum? Can I see the labels?
• Are the products notified cosmetics?
• Are there fragrance-free options?

In Malaysia, a cosmetic must be notified to the Director of Pharmaceutical Services before it is made, sold or imported (NPRA). The Ministry of Health encourages the public to check notification status via the NPRA product search.

Spa facial or aesthetic clinic: what’s the difference?

A spa facial cleanses and moisturises. Chemical peels and lasers are stronger: the AAD advises seeing a dermatologist for peels, and deep peels must be done in a surgical setting.

For severe acne, scars or melasma, see a doctor. The AAD says melasma can fade after birth, and only a dermatologist should do peels or lasers for it. Roseville spa sessions are for comfort, not for treating skin conditions.

Muslimah facial in Bangi: Roseville Muslimah Spa

Roseville Muslimah Spa at Plaza Bangi Perdana, Bangi Gateway, is open to all women, with female therapists and a private space. The facial is on the à la carte menu, and the Signature session includes face and eye masks (women’s spa).

A facial is also included in confinement packages of 21 days or more (package prices) and in the Radiance and Signature tiers of the 6-month spa membership, one session a month: a nice gift for your wife. From further away? See Muslimah spas near Kajang, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.

Pregnant? Book a free villa visit when you come in, and read when to book a confinement centre.

When to stop and see a doctor

Get help for any of these (NHS: anaphylaxis, contact dermatitis, pre-eclampsia, itching in pregnancy, acne):

Roseville is not a clinic or hospital and does not assess your skin or health.

Frequently asked questions

This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your doctor. Roseville is a confinement care centre and women’s spa, not a clinic or hospital. Spa sessions, including facials, are for comfort, with no promise of skin or health results. For any skin or health concern, please see a doctor or registered health facility.