Pregnancy and tanning
Safety of tanning during pregnancy
Questions about
pregnancy and tanning are sure to follow when it warms up. As summer hits hit,
shorts, sundresses, and sleeveless tops make their way into the wardrobe, but
who likes to wear them without a bit of sunshine! So, how to get a tan during
pregnancy?
Whether you are
pregnant or not, sun exposure puts you at risk for premature aging and
malignant melanoma (skin cancer). The following information will help you think
about tanning in bed, on the beach, or using a tanning bed.
Some research has
also linked ultraviolet rays to folic acid deficiency. Folic acid prevents
neural tube defects such as spina bifida and is especially important during the
first trimester. During pregnancy, your skin is more susceptible to burns and
chloasma, the dark spots that appear on the face during pregnancy. Talk to your
doctor about the safety of tanning beds during pregnancy.
In a bed
No study provides
conclusive evidence that tanning beds directly harm your child. However, here
are a few reasons why a tanning bed can hurt you. Most doctors advise against engaging
in any activity that can raise body temperature, such as going to the sauna or
tanning bed. Overheating is associated with spinal malformations in infants.
On the beach
Many of the concerns
about beach sun are the same as tanning beds. Pregnancy makes your skin more
sensitive, so the sun can cause hives, prickly heat, or increased chloasma.
Staying in the shade should prevent hives or prickly heat. In the sun, the same
safety precautions must be followed whether you are pregnant or not: drink plenty
of water, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and wear a hat.
If you feel dizzy,
nauseous, or tired, go to an air-conditioned room. Avoid prolonged exposure to
the sun, which can cause burns.
From a bottle
This may be the best
option if you are pregnant. Avoiding ultraviolet rays will provide healthier
skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer, hives, or worsening chloasma. There
are many types of self tanning lotions, creams and mousses that work very well.
Most of the new varieties have minimal odor and provide instant color.
The only issue is
whether the active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone, is able to penetrate the skin.
Research doesn't confirm this is possible, but some doctors recommend that
women wait until after the first trimester, just to be on the safe side.
Dihydroxyacetone has been used in cosmetics since the 1960s and no problems
have been reported with it.
Even if you've used self-tanner before, try a patch of skin first. Your skin may be more sensitive and irritable during pregnancy.