Aesthetic concerns are common among women all over the world. Despite different beauty standards, cultures, and treatments chosen by women, everyone likes to feel beautiful and comfortable in their own body, even during pregnancy. And one question that often arises is about artificial tanning during pregnancy— is it safe?

Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period when women tend to feel more sensitive about their own bodies. It’s a time of change, with many new things that can cause doubts and uncertainties in some women about their bodies and their beauty. Although there are other factors to consider, this is one of the main reasons why women decide to have artificial tanning during pregnancy. Certain treatments, like artificial tanning, for example, come with certain risks depending on various factors, such as how much the woman plans to tan and what procedures she will undergo, in addition to how reliable the equipment is that is used in these treatments.

Can You Have Artificial Tanning During Pregnancy?

This is exactly why this type of activity is not recommended for pregnant women. Although not strictly forbidden, it is widely known that artificial tanning can cause some harm, so the best thing to do is not to put the baby in a situation that could be harmful. To better understand the processes and risks, we should first know what artificial tanning is and how it affects people’s bodies.

What is Artificial Tanning?

When we talk about artificial tanning, we mean the practice of applying a substance to your body that simulates the effect of the sun on your skin, producing an effect similar to the well-known natural sun tan. There is more than one type of artificial tanning— they differ from each other and have distinct effects on human skin. The main types are:

  • Tanning Beds
  • Self-Tanners
  • Spray Tanning

Each of these types produces different effects on the human body, which may be positive or negative. There are important differences between the types of artificial tanning, so they deserve a detailed explanation.

Tanning Beds

This is the most famous type of artificial tanning— it acts as a true simulation of the sun’s effect by emitting ultraviolet rays directly onto the skin. Developed decades ago, this kind of device is banned in several countries around the world because of the health risks it poses. Even so, many people still seek to meet certain aesthetic standards and end up turning to illegal clinics or even traveling to countries where the process is allowed. The main risks associated with tanning beds include:

  • Skin Cancer
  • Burns
  • Injuries

For these reasons, this type of device is banned for cosmetic use in Brazil. Therefore, we can conclude that this kind of artificial tanning during pregnancy is harmful.

Self-Tanners

This is one of the most popular treatments these days, especially among people who want to tan artificially. Self-tanners are creams containing substances that can cause chemical reactions. For this reason, this kind of artificial tanning during pregnancy is also not recommended, even though it does not harm women who are not pregnant, as long as it is used correctly.

Spray Tanning

This method involves spraying products directly onto the skin. There are no contraindications for this type of artificial tanning during pregnancy, since it uses substances that affect only the skin and are not absorbed by the body. Of course, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before undergoing any kind of artificial tanning, even if there are no contraindications for pregnant women.

Risks of Artificial Tanning During Pregnancy

The risks of these treatments during pregnancy are almost the same as under normal circumstances. In general, care should be taken with substances that can cause any kind of reaction that could affect the baby. As already mentioned, to be sure that you are undergoing a safe aesthetic procedure— for both yourself and your baby— it is essential to talk to your doctor and assess the risks and benefits of such treatments. Often, doctors may recommend that you wait until after childbirth to consider a treatment. Sometimes, women need to wait until after breastfeeding to make sure that no substances interfere with the baby’s feeding and, consequently, initial development. Many women may feel unattractive or feel they are losing their beauty because of pregnancy and end up turning to cosmetic procedures such as artificial tanning during pregnancy. It’s important to understand that pregnancy is a natural process that affects the bodies of all women who go through it— not always in the same way, but with similar effects for everyone. The best recommendation is to focus on your health during pregnancy so that your body can recover well after childbirth and to help both the mother and baby get through these 9 months without major problems. It’s also important to pay attention to post-partum recommendations to ensure that no treatment interferes with breastfeeding and, as a result, the baby’s health.
See also: How to Handle Pregnancy in Summer
Photo: Gerlach