Using a tanning bed during your pregnancy can potentially have serious consequences for your baby and overall health. In addition to skin damage, premature aging and increased risk for skin cancer, tanning lamps can also contribute to several birth defects such as spinal bifida and other spinal malformations. Although research has not yet proven a direct correlation between the two, it is probably wise to avoid the tanning salon while pregnant.
Ultraviolet light contributes to the breakdown of folic acid in the body, which protects against neural tube defects. Although research regarding the effects of indoor tanning on pregnancy is preliminary, extended exposure has been linked to folic acid deficiency. It is difficult to say what type of effect a tanning bed will have on the organs of a developing baby.
Certain women develop increased sensitivity to the sun while pregnant. Some women develop a condition called chloasma during pregnancy, of which the main symptom is irregular dark patches on the skin. Chloasma is an indication of higher level of photosensitivity than normal, which increases the risk of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. This occurs because pregnancy elevates the level of hormones which produce excessive pigmentation. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light can aggravate the severity of this condition. Since tanning beds can emit a dose of ultraviolet light two to three times higher than natural light, tanning beds are probably not safe for pregnant women. Tanning beds can also raise body temperatures to unsafe levels for the baby. This is a serious health risk, as elevated body temperatures during pregnancy have been linked with spinal malformations. Your baby is particularly vulnerable to these types of complications during the first trimester.
If you have specific concerns about indoor tanning, you should address them to your doctor. Some physicians recommend that tanning beds should be avoided altogether, while others maintain that limited use is acceptable. With the controversy surrounding indoor tanning, it is advisable to choose another tanning alternative.
If you are expecting, there are safer tanning options than using a tanning bed during pregnancy. Self tanners and lotions can give you that golden glow quickly and safely. The ingredients in sunless tanning products are harmless and only penetrate the surface layer of the skin.
However, there has been some concern over one particular ingredient in sunless tanning lotions. DHA, which is what reacts with amino acids to turn your skin brown, can have negative effects if absorbed into the blood stream. However, this ingredient has been in use in many cosmetic products and there have been no reports of negative consequences so far. However, as a safety precaution, some doctors advise not to use sunless tanning products during the first three months of pregnancy.
Using a tanning bed during pregnancy can have serious implications for you and your baby’s health. Sunless tanning products are a much safer alternative than indoor tanning, but can still have some unexpected effects. Therefore, when it comes to tanning, it is generally best to err on the side of caution and avoid the tanning salon indefinitely.
