Pregnant women are not really any different from other women when it comes to their personal appearance and skin tone. They also want to look their best, and a youthful, glowing bronzed skin tone is considered as a very attractive physical characteristic.
There are various options you can choose from if you want to achieve and maintain that exuberant tan, but prior to purchasing any products or adopting any regimen, pregnant women also need to consider the health and safety of their baby.
Can pregnant women sunbathe?
Sunlight contains vitamin D which is essential for pregnant women. But too much exposure to the sun, on the other hand, is dangerous as well.
Pregnancy also causes certain physical conditions and imbalances in women, including making the skin more sensitive to the sun. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to heat rash, hives, or chloasma.
If you want to spend some time at the beach, make sure to drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. Sunscreen is essential; choose sunscreen lotions that have SPF30 protection or more. Bring an umbrella or be close to the shade so you can easily protect yourself, and don’t stay exposed to the sun for excessive periods of time.
What about a tanning bed?
There are no conclusive studies or evidence that shows any harmful effects of UV rays on babies inside the mother’s womb.
Some people are concerned about pregnant women lying down in a tanning bed and getting direct UV ray exposure, but these UV rays do not really get past the first two layers of skin.
What can be potentially harmful is the increase of body temperature when you are in a tanning bed. Too much body heat can cause spinal malformations in the baby, or deficiencies in folic acid.
Spray tanning when pregnant?
The jury’s still out regarding how safe spray tans are for pregnant women.
In particular, the DHA component of spray tans and their effect on human health has not been conclusively studied. While the FDA has approved DHA-based tanning products for external application, tanning booths are different because the spray mist can be ingested through the nose, mouth, eyes, or other areas (if you are not adequately protected).
At-home spray tan kits are another option, but if you are already a few months along the way, spray tanning yourself can be quite challenging, let along trying to get an even tan. The more convenient option would be self-tanning products that are applied as lotions or creams.
Are self tanners safe to use?
Because they are easier to apply and stay on the outer skin layers, self tanning lotions, gels, creams, and other external tanning products are the most recommended for pregnant women.
You do not have to be directly exposed to sunlight and UV rays if you use these self tanning products, but you can still maintain that bronzed tone and shimmer. For added benefits, you can select self tanners with mostly natural or organic ingredients, and those that have moisturizing or hydrating properties to keep your skin healthy during pregnancy.