Is Tanning While Pregnant Safe?

Looking tan while pregnant can be a great boost to self-esteem. Always consult your physcian if you have any questions regarding your pregnancy. Below your will find the opinion of several sources regarding tanning while pregnant. Each individual and pregnancy is different so keep that in mind.

UV exposure from a tanning bed or the sun poses the same risks while pregnant. The UV light does not prenetrate into the fetus and there have not been any studies which show negative side effects from tanning. Pregnant women should be cautious of over heating and are generally advised to avoid saunas and hot tubs. Another consideration is that lying on your back for too long may restrict blood flow to and from the heart. You would feel light headed if this happened. Tanning while pregnant is a personal decision and there are alternatives to a lay down tanning bed, such as a tanning booth, or sunless tanning.

Pregnant women with sensitive skin who expose themselves to ultraviolet rays (whether from tanning beds or the sun), may be more prone to chloasma, those dark skin splotches that can appear on the face and occasionally the arms during pregnancy. The duration of a tanning session should always consider skin type and any sensitivity caused by a medical condition or medication. For some taking medication or with a fair complextion there may not be any amount of exposure that is recommended.

		Q. I am pregnant and want to use a tanning bed. Any risks?
A:		There is no evidence that radiation from a tanning bed would cause harm to the fetus. Lights in a tanning bed emit UVA or ultraviolet A radiation, similar to the tanning rays emitted by the sun although they are more concentrated in a tanning bed. UVA radiation is not very penetrating-clothes can stop it as you can tell by tan marks when you wear a T-shirt out on a sunny afternoon. UVA radiation is not able to penetrate through the skin and abdominal tissue to expose the fetus. There is no reason for concern.

From Health Physics Society

You are more likely to burn while pregnant and there is a risk of over heating according to Dr. William McIntosh who responded to this question on OBGYN.net

If you chose to tan or use self-tanners while pregnant here is some advice from WebMD: From the Article: "Tanning for Two"

Take these precautions:

• Drink enough water.
• Prevent overheating.
• Prevent sunburns.
• Avoid being in the sun during the noon hours.
• Remember you can be exposed to the sun's rays even when you are in the shade.
• Use sunscreen to minimize damage to your skin.
• Only use as much self-tanning lotion as is necessary.
• Remember that most self-tanners do not provide protection from ultraviolet rays (nor do the "tans" they produce), so you should still use sunscreen if you want to protect yourself.

General Article about Tanning while pregnant from www.BabyCenter.com


Disclaimer: TanningNews.org is not a medical organization and you should always consult your own physician regarding medical questions. We wanted to provide some of the reason for and against tanning while pregnant.

Question: Did you choose to tan while pregnant? If so why and what method did you use? Would you recommend it to other women?