Pregnant and bronzed

There is some controversy on the subject of Tanning Salons and their use during pregnancy. Many physicians recommend against using them, while others recommend they be used with caution. There are several things one must take into consideration when contemplating tanning during pregnancy.

First, there is little scientific evidence that indicates “rays” of a tanning bed are harmful to the baby. However, the extreme heat of the tanning bed may be harmful to the baby or you, particularly in the last trimester. This is not only true of tanning beds but of general exposure to the sun during pregnancy.

Second, many municipalities and other local governments have passed laws against tanning during pregnancy. While you may or may not agree with such laws, you should make an effort to be aware of them. Also, many tanning salons will not take clients who are pregnant, for reasons of liability.

It is certainly advisable that you should consult with your physician before attempting to tan, whether it is in a tanning bed or in the sun. Your physician may be able to identify concerns that are specific to your case, and make a recommendation one way or another. It is probably better in the case of tanning salons and tanning in general to err on the side of caution. As one physician put it, “If you could go for 9 months without a tan when you were in the womb, you can go without for the time your child is in the womb.”

When it comes to lotions, typically, it is safe to use these while you are pregnant. The active ingredient Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a three-carbon sugar that is non-toxic and therefore is not harmful to you or your baby. DHA works by interacting with your dead skin cells to produce brown pigment called melanoidin. DHA does not go beyond this layer of cells and is not absorbed into the body. Skin is constantly shedding dead skin cells and renewing itself, and so the tan fades as this happens.

Tanning lotions normally do not contain any protection from the sun, which means that you are still prone to sunburn while in the sun. So keeping this in mind be sure to use a good sunscreen if you are going to be outside in the sun. Occasionally, people will have an allergic reaction to tanning lotion. It is a good idea to do a patch test to make sure that you do not have an allergic reaction. It can't be ignored that your body and hormones change drastically during pregnancy, so even if you have safely used tanning lotion in the past, you might have a reaction while you are pregnant. It is always best to check by doing a patch test before applying tanning lotion for this reason.There are so many different kinds of sunless tanning lotions, creams, and foams that have very good results. Many of the new varieties have minimal odor and provide immediate colour.

Check with your doctor or midwife before using any type of tanning lotion. Lastly, steer well clear of any tanning pills, as these can contain drugs that can be toxic to the baby.

Source - Angie Younce, www.amazingpregnancy.com