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Tanning while pregnant is a growing trend, but it’s also a topic of debate among health professionals. On the one hand, tanning can provide an important source of vitamin D that is unavailable through diet alone.
On the other hand, it exposes an unborn baby to dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation. To help you make the best decision for you and your developing baby, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of tanning while pregnant.
Read on to learn more about the risks and benefits, so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.
Can You Tan While Pregnant?
If you’re pregnant and looking to get a little color, you may be wondering if it’s safe to tan while expecting.
No, you can not tan while pregnant. Pregnant women are generally not recommended to spend time in the sun or use tanning beds. This is because tanning can pose a high level of danger to the health of both mother and the unborn.
The main reason why medical professionals advise against tanning during pregnancy is because of the potential risks associated with UV radiation exposure. This type of radiation can penetrate your skin, increase your risk for skin cancer, and cause premature aging.
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It can also lead to birth defects in unborn babies due to increased levels of melanin production in their bodies. Even though tanning has some benefits, the risks are not worth it. Other health concerns are related to spending too much time in the sun while pregnant.
Heat exhaustion is one such concern; when your body temperature rises above normal levels, it can stress both mother and baby, leading to complications like dehydration or preterm labor.
The Pros of Tanning While Pregnant
Pregnancy is one of the most special times in a woman’s life. It’s also a time of major changes in her body and many questions about what she can or cannot do.
Tanning is no exception as it can be dangerous for an expectant mother if done incorrectly. But what if you could safely tan while pregnant? Here are 11 pros of tanning while pregnant to help you determine if it’s right for you;
1. Tanning Can Help Prevent Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are a type of scar that can form when the skin is stretched. They are common during pregnancy, as the skin stretches to accommodate the growing baby.
Tanning can help prevent stretch marks by increasing the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to keep the skin supple and elastic. Tanning also helps to increase the production of melanin, which gives the skin its pigment and helps to protect it from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
2. Gives A Natural Energy Boost
Tanning can give you a natural energy boost and help to improve your circulation. It can also help to reduce water retention and bloating.
3. Helps Improve Your Mood
Tanning can help improve your mood by releasing endorphins, which are hormones that act as natural painkillers. Endorphins are also known to produce a feeling of happiness and well-being. So, if you’re feeling down or stressed out, spending some time in a tanning bed could help you feel better.
4. Clears The Skin
Tanning can help to clear up your skin by improving circulation and stimulating the production of new skin cells. It can also help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, scars, and other blemishes. Tanning can also help to improve your mood and give you a boost of energy.
5. Helps Relieve Muscle And Joint Pains
There are many benefits to tanning while pregnant. Tanning can help relieve muscle and joint pain, improve circulation, and reduce stress levels. Pregnant women who tan regularly often report feeling more relaxed and have less morning sickness. Tanning can also help to prevent stretch marks and make your skin look healthier overall.
6. Reduces The Appearance Of Varicose Veins
Tanning can help reduce the appearance of varicose veins by constricting the blood vessels and providing a temporary source of warmth. This can be especially beneficial during pregnancy when varicose veins are more likely to form due to the increased pressure on the blood vessels.
However, it is important to consult with a doctor before beginning any tanning regimen, as there are some risks associated with tanning during pregnancy.
7. Can Help You Sleep Better
There are many benefits of tanning while pregnant, and one of them is that it can help you sleep better. Tanning can help to regulate your body’s melatonin levels, which is the hormone that controls your sleep cycle. If you are having trouble sleeping, spending some time in a tanning bed may help you to get the rest you need.
8. Improves Blood Circulation
When you are pregnant, your blood vessels expand to accommodate the increased blood flow to your womb. This can lead to varicose veins, which are bulging, twisted veins that can be quite painful. Tanning can help improve circulation by constricting the blood vessels and helping to prevent varicose veins.
9. Can Relieve Stress
Pregnancy can be a very stressful time, both physically and emotionally. The hormones released during pregnancy can cause mood swings and anxiety. Tanning can help relieve some of the stress by producing endorphins, which are the body’s natural “feel good” chemicals.
10. Boosts Energy Levels
Pregnancy can be exhausting, especially in the later stages when you are carrying around a lot of extra weight. The extra exposure to sunlight that you get while tanning can help increase your energy levels and give you a much-needed boost.
11. Promotes A Glowing Skin
Many pregnant women experience hormonal changes that can lead to breakouts or other skin problems. The ultraviolet light from sun tanning can help kill bacteria on the surface of your skin and give you a clearer complexion.
The Cons Of Tanning While Pregnant
Tanning can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity for many people, but if you’re pregnant, it’s best to think twice before soaking up some rays. Tanning can have serious consequences for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Here are the downsides of tanning during pregnancy;
1. Increased Risk Of Skin Cancer
Pregnant women are more susceptible to developing skin cancer, so it’s important to avoid any activities that could increase your risk. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “Exposure to UV radiation from the sun and indoor tanning beds is the leading cause of skin cancer.” If you are pregnant and considering tanning, you should be aware of this risk.
2. Dehydration
Tanning can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous for both you and your baby. Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after your session to stay hydrated.
3. Premature Aging
Tanning can cause premature aging of the skin, which can make you look older than you are and also increase your risk of developing wrinkles later on in life. This happens because the UV rays from tanning damage the collagen in your skin, causing it to wrinkle and sag prematurely.
4. Birth Defects
There is some evidence that exposure to UV rays during pregnancy can increase the risk for birth defects, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
5. Eye damage
Tanning beds emit UV rays that can damage your eyes, so it’s important to wear eye protection if you do choose to tan while pregnant.
6. Melasma
Tanning while pregnant can increase your risk of developing melasma, a condition that causes dark patches on your skin. Melasma is more common in women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills. If you are considering tanning while pregnant, you should be aware of this risk as well.
7. Skin irritation
When it comes to the cons of tanning while pregnant, one of the biggest is skin irritation. This can be caused by a number of things, including the chemicals in self-tanner and sunscreen, as well as the UV rays from tanning beds and sun exposure.
Skin irritation can cause a lot of discomforts and may even lead to rashes or breakouts. If you do experience any skin irritation while pregnant, be sure to consult with your doctor before using any self-tanner or sunscreen products.
8. Interferes With Vitamin D Production
There are a few potential cons to tanning while pregnant. One is that the UV rays from the sun can interfere with vitamin D production. Vitamin D is important for pregnant women because it helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Too little vitamin D can lead to preterm birth and low birth weight.
9. Nausea And Dizziness
Nausea and dizziness are two common side effects of tanning while pregnant nausea can be caused by the heat of the sun on your skin, and dizziness can be caused by the dehydration that can occur when you are exposed to the sun for too long. If you experience either of these side effects, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and seek shade immediately.
10. Weakened Immune System
When you’re pregnant, your immune system is already working overtime to protect both you and your baby. So, if you decide to tan while pregnant, you’re essentially weakening your body’s natural ability to fight off infection and disease.
11. Heat Exhaustion/Sunburn
During pregnancy, it is best to stay away from the UV rays of the sun as much as possible. The skin during this period is very sensitive and you are susceptible to heat exhaustion and sunburn.
Final Thoughts
So, while there are some benefits to tanning while pregnant, there are also some risks that should be considered before taking a trip to the tanning salon.
When it comes to tanning while pregnant, the potential risks outweigh the potential benefits.
Tanning can cause skin cancer, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and premature aging. It can also increase the risk of birth defects and miscarriage and many more. For these reasons, it is best to avoid tanning while pregnant.
