Pregnancy and sunless tanning
Although a woman doesn't have to completely abandon her normal activities when she is pregnant, obstetricians do recommend that activities that put stress on the growing baby or whose effects on a growing baby are unknown should be reduced as much as possible. If you routinely use tanning products, you may be concerned about the combination of pregnancy and sunless tanning products. Sunless tanning products have gained a lot of exposure, but the results of how these products affect unborn babies is still inconclusive. Your doctor's advice and your best judgment are still the best course of action when making the decision of combining pregnancy and sunless tanning.
Your first trimester is the most delicate stage of your pregnancy. It is during this stage that the baby is getting making adjustments to become comfortable in your womb. It is during this time that you need to become more cognizant of your activities and how they will affect your baby. If you usually use a tanning bed, you might want to suspend your tanning sessions until a few months after the baby is born. To obtain a tan using a tanning bed, you must come in contact with ultra violet (UV) light. These UV rays can be dangerous to your unborn baby. In addition, the UV light can cause extreme heat that is not recommended that you endure during your pregnancy.
Sunless tanning lotions and sprays may offer the best tanning solution when you are pregnant. These products generally include a moisturizing lotion that contains a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) greater than the minimum 4 level. This will help keep your skin healthy. Pregnancy and sunless tanning products such as lotions and sprays may be a concern in relation to the chemical that is prevalent in them all—dihydorxyacetone (DHA). There are still studies being conducted to determine how safe or unsafe DHA is in sunless tanning products. It is a good idea to talk to your primary physician about your tanning regimen and how safe it is to perform during your pregnancy.
More pregnancy tips are available here.