Postpartum Skincare and Safe Aesthetic Treatments: Dr. Tina Bani’s Advice for New Mothers.
Motherhood can be a transformative time for skin as well as for life. Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation and the physical demands of pregnancy and birth can leave many women facing new skin concerns, from acne and melasma to dryness, fine lines, scarring and stretch marks. And while much of this is temporary, it can feel overwhelming in the early months of postpartum recovery.
Navigating treatments at this stage requires caution. Most medical aesthetic procedures are not recommended while breastfeeding, but gentler options, such as facials, LED light therapy and radiofrequency, can help restore radiance and reset the skin. Experts also emphasize the importance of streamlining at-home routines to keep care effective but realistic for time-poor new mothers.
One area gaining attention is “collagen banking”, a preventative approach that uses treatments like microneedling, chemical peels and energy-based therapies to support long-term skin health. But dermatologists stress that the postpartum period is not the time to rush into aggressive regimes; instead, a gradual reintroduction of active ingredients such as retinoids and acids is advised.
To better understand how new mothers can approach skincare during this stage, we spoke with Dr. Tina Bani, founder of SKIIN Clinic in Manchester and a mother of two, who shared her perspective on safe treatments, shifting beauty trends, and the future of regenerative aesthetics.
By Alice Codford
Alice: What are some of the most common skin concerns mothers come to you with after having children?
Dr. Tina Bani: Pregnant and post-partum women can present with many skin concerns. The shifts in hormones, sleep patterns, stress levels and diet - just to name a few - can manifest in changes in the skin. These can range from acne, melasma, fine lines, dermatitis, through to scarring and stretch marks. There is help out there for all of these conditions; whilst respecting the massive change that mothers have just been, and are still going, through. The key is to delve deeper into the root cause, and come up with a management plan that suits medical suitability, lifestyle factors, budget and expectations.
How soon after giving birth is it generally safe to begin considering aesthetic treatments?
Dr. Tina Bani: There are no hard and fast rules with this. I would say give yourself grace and focus on non-invasive, conservative options such as facials with extras eg radiofrequency/LED light, once you feel ready. Bear in mind that your hormones are likely still regulating, and your body has just been through some big changes. If you’re a breastfeeding Mama, most medical aesthetic treatments are not indicated, so it’s best to wait until your breastfeeding journey has ended before you can safely start injectables or more invasive skin treatments.
“Post-partum is not a time to go in all-guns blazing when it comes to aesthetic treatments. The skin is still rebalancing after a period of change.”
Many women are looking for subtle ways to feel refreshed after having a baby. What do you suggest for mums who want a little boost without doing anything too invasive?
Dr. Tina Bani: I would say to start with a deep dive of your current skincare routine with an expert. This will help you to streamline what you’re doing at home, to keep things simple and effective. Next, book in for a facial to help reset and exfoliate. Most facials are breastfeeding friendly, and aren’t too invasive.
Do you notice a shift in what mothers are looking for compared to your other clients?
Dr. Tina Bani: I think the biggest shift for mothers is undeniably, time constraints. My patients with children are often looking for simple and effective skincare routines, paired with in-clinic treatments that focus on skin health and collagen banking. This keeps skin looking fresh and low-maintenance. Who doesn’t want to just get up and go, feeling confident in their skin, with just a layer of SPF on for the school run?
How do hormonal changes during pregnancy and postpartum affect skin, and what treatments help rebalance or restore it?
Dr. Tina Bani: Pregnancy and post-partum lead to huge hormonal changes in the body. The effects of these changes on the skin vary from person to person. For some, the surges in oestrogen lead to a blemish-free, glowing complexion, whereas others can experience worsened acne or even melasma. The key is to know that often these changes are transient, and should settle as the hormones regulate and time passes. Having said this, there are treatments out there which are pregnancy and breastfeeding safe, so I would always advise to see your dermatologist or GP for those who are really struggling.
Images Courtesy of Skiin Clinic/Dr. Tina Bani
What are some safe and effective aesthetic treatments you recommend for postpartum and breastfeeding mothers?
Dr. Tina Bani: Post-partum is not a time to go in all-guns blazing when it comes to aesthetic treatments. The reason for this is that hormones are likely still in a state of dysregulation, and the skin structure is rebalancing after a period of change.
It’s best to have an conservative approach at this time; that's where a good exfoliating facial with a skin specialist can provide great results and keep the skin looking fresh.
“It’s likely that most active products were stopped in pregnancy, so we need to reintroduce them slowly to avoid compromising the skin barrier.”
Are there any treatments or ingredients you’d advise new mums to avoid during the postpartum or breastfeeding period?
Dr. Tina Bani: Most medical aesthetic treatments are not licensed or insured to be carried out on pregnant or breastfeeding patients. This is because they have never been tested in this patient group, so safety outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
For skincare ingredients, no topical products are off the table, but I would always advise to take a slow and steady approach at this time. It’s likely that most active products were stopped temporarily in pregnancy, so we need to reintroduce products in a measured way to avoid compromising the skin barrier. Start with a lower strength retinoid, and titrate up slowly to let your skin build up it’s tolerance. Use exfoliating acid once a week, and assess how your skin is responding. If you’re unsure, work with a qualified skin specialist, who can advise and monitor along the way.
Anything else you think mums should keep in mind when considering aesthetic treatments after pregnancy? (For example: planning another pregnancy, recovering from a c-section, etc.)
Dr. Tina Bani: I would prioritise collagen banking treatments. Pregnancy and post-partum has been shown to reduce collagen in the skin, so it’s really important to work on re-building what may have been lost. Collagen banking treatments include microneedling, chemical peels, injectable biostimulators (eg polynucleotides, Sculptra) and energy based devices (eg IPL, laser, RF microneedling). This will also set patients up for any future pregnancies too.
As a doctor, what are your personal must-have skincare products or ingredients?
Dr. Tina Bani: As a Doctor, I look for evidence based and well researched skincare products. That’s why tretinoin (a prescription strength retinoid) is my personal hero product. It’s proven to work on increasing collagen and elastin, exfoliating, reducing acne, reducing pigment and encouraging cell turnover in the skin. It’s an effective multitasker.
Do you follow a strict skincare routine yourself? Any favourite brands or go-to treatments?
Dr. Tina Bani: I wouldn’t say I follow a strict skincare routine; I ‘listen’ to my skin. I suffer with dry skin and facial eczema, so I know that sometimes I have to really strip it back and use moisturisers and emollients only. At other times, I can get stuck in to my stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids. Our skin is always changing and fluctuating, so being too rigid with the routines is not advisable. Have a toolbox; and use each product as an when your skin needs it.
“Pregnancy and post-partum has been shown to reduce collagen in the skin, so it’s really important to work on rebuilding what may have been lost.”
If you could only use three products for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Dr. Tina Bani: I would have to say Heliocare Fluid Cream SPF50, Sunday Riley Lactic Acid Good Genes, and Obagi 0.05% tretinoin.
We’re seeing a lot of talk around Lindsay Lohan’s and Kris Jenner’s new looks. They appear refreshed, but not overdone. What do you think they might be doing, and why do you think that kind of ‘subtle tweakment’ is resonating right now?
Dr. Tina Bani: I would say that both of these celebrities have worked with their Doctors to employ a combination of both surgical and non-surgical options. Kris Jenner has confirmed that she recently underwent a surgical facelift, and I really applaud how candid she has been about this. The honesty really resonates in this current zeitgeist, as the whole “I only use olive oil on my skin” narrative from some celebrities is just tired.
Kylie Jenner recently admitted that she may have gone too far with fillers when she was younger, and that she's now pulled back to a more natural look. How do you feel about this new honesty around aesthetic work? Do you think it’s helping reshape the conversation for younger women and mums alike?
Dr. Tina Bani: We are definitely seeing an increasing appreciation of natural aesthetic treatments, which respects individual anatomy and age. The cookie-cutter approach just wasn’t cutting it, and I’m glad we are seeing the back of it.
The future is regenerative aesthetic medicine, which has rejuvenation and repair at it’s core. This means focussing on collagen replacement, volume replacement (not over-filling), and respect for natural, graceful ageing,
Anne Hathaway is often held up as someone who looks “untouched”, radiant, youthful, but seemingly natural. Do you think she’s just aging gracefully, or could that be the result of subtle, strategic treatments? What would a ‘quiet’ maintenance plan look like for someone like her?
Dr. Tina Bani: It’s likely that she and her Doctor focus on regenerative maintenance treatments, such as laser resurfacing, polynucleotides and microneedling treatments. This, paired with an effective skincare routine at home, will maintain her radiant and youthful looking appearance. As an Aesthetic Doctor, I limit the use of botulinum toxin (aka Botox) treatments in my patients who heavily rely on the use of facial expression eg actresses, as there are other ways of addressing fine lines in this patient group.
Do you think social media has helped or hurt the way women view and approach aesthetic treatments?
Dr. Tina Bani: There are two sides to the coin when it comes to social media. In one sense, it can lead to unrealistic expectations of what we ‘should’ look like, particularly if there is use of editing eg Photoshop and filters. Even some clinics use these tools for their after photos! On the other hand, I think social media has helped to reduce the stigma surrounding seeking aesthetic treatments, and has opened up the conversation for women to learn about the options available to them, even if they decide against having any treatment.
What’s one myth about injectables or skin treatments you’d love to debunk, especially for new mums?
Dr. Tina Bani: The most common myth is that new mums can’t use retinoids, even if breastfeeding. This isn’t true - in fact this is the time when the skin likely needs it the most.
“My patients with children are often looking for simple and effective skincare routines, paired with in-clinic treatments that focus on skin health and collagen banking.”
What are some of the most popular treatments you perform at SKIIN, and why do you think they resonate so much with your clients?
Dr. Tina Bani: At Skiin we have a focus on regenerative and holistic aesthetic medicine. That’s why our most popular treatments are microneedling and polynucleotides, alongside careful and natural botulinum toxin treatment. Our patient group is mainly women in their 30s-40s, so the ethos of keeping it fresh and natural really aligns with this patient group.
Are there any new or emerging treatments that you're particularly excited about right now? What makes them stand out to you?
Dr. Tina Bani: I’m really excited about exosomes at the moment. I’m seeing some great results in clinic. These are tiny vesicles derived from bovine colostrum, which act as messengers to deliver all the good stuff (vitamins, peptides, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid) directly to where we want it during microneedling and radiofrequency microneedling. This can be added on to any microneedling treatment, and essentially elevates the treatment results.
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