5/25/11

I am not a sun worshipper by any means. I don't make a habit of laying in a tanning bed and I don't lay out on the beach or by the pool or even spend time outside without sun screen on. However, I do like to have a little color going into spring and summer so I use sunless tanning gel and I've even been known to do 5-10 sessions at a tanning salon before a big event. 

This spring/summer I'm a little concerned about being ghostly white because I don't know if tanning is safe. Sunless tanners are filled with chemicals and tanning beds are just all sorts of bad for you. 

I was curious about the dangers so I looked it up. Here's the info I got from a dermotologist's blog: the ingredients in self tanners are harmless she says so they're safe to use. They stay on the surface of the skin so should have no affect on the baby.

Tanning beds are another story. We know that they're not ideal for anyone, but there are particular dangers to pregant women though there is no conclusive evidence that they're harmful to the developing fetus, they are proven to be dangerous to you so why take the risk? Melanoma (one of the most deadly forms of cancer) is the only type of cancer that can be passed through the placenta to your baby. Melanoma is caused by the exposure of UV rays which you will get directly pumped into your body through a tanning bed.

Lying in a tanning bed can also raise your body temperature above 102 degrees which can cause spinal malformations in your developing baby! This is also the reason pregnant women should avoid saunas and hot tubs.

Another concern is that lying on your back too long can restrict blood flow to your heart and to the baby. That's why the doctor will suggest you sleep on your left side during pregnancy too. Which is super difficult for me because I am a back sleeper. I catch myself on my back pretty much every night when I wake up to pee. 

Is it really a big deal for a pregnant woman to be tan? Am I being silly to be concerned about going out in my maternity sun dress with white legs?