Regarding Pregnancy And Tanning Beds...

Legal stuff: Consult your own doctor if you are concerned with pregnancy and tanning beds. Here is our article regarding tanning while pregnant...

According to two doctors, Robert L. Brent M.D., Ph.D. and Gary Zeman, Sc.D, Ch.P, (who conducted a study at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory about pregnancy and tanning beds), mothers-to-be have no reason to be concerned about tanning while pregnant (or getting an indoor tan).

Although both doctors are in agreement that the UVA and UVB rays emitted by the bulbs in tanning beds can be as dangerous as the rays of the sun to human skin tissues, those rays do not penetrate far enough into the body to harm a fetus.

However, some mid-wives, obstetricians and gynecologists do have some concerns about pregnancy and tanning beds. During the first trimester of pregnancy, these health experts do not advise pregnant women to indulge in any activity that might raise their body temperature such as hot tubs, saunas and tanning beds. The overheating of the mother's body (also called hyperthermia) is associated with some spinal malformations. It should also be noted that typically hyperthermia develops after the mother's body is exposed to temperatures of 102 Fahrenheit or more for several hours.

Fortunately, government regulatory standards in Canada and the United States typically limit the maximum temperature for commercial tanning devices to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, there does not seem to be any reported incidents of hypothermia related to pregnancy and tanning beds.

Still, it comes to pregnancy and tanning beds, there has been a suggested link between ultraviolet rays and folic acid deficiency. Folic acid is responsible for preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Some health experts also maintain that the skin of a pregnant mother is more sensitive to ultraviolet rays and may be at a greater risk of acquiring unexpected sunburn. If you are concerned about your pregnancy and tanning in a tanning bed and then you are advised to avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from both the sun and tanning beds.

If you do decide to get an indoor tan and you want to tan when you are pregnant, doctors also recommend staying as cool as possible and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid light-headedness and dehydration.

There have been no negative incidents or statistics reported regarding tanning beds and pregnancy however a mother-to-be may want to take note that in general, doctors advice avoiding tanning beds until after the first three months of pregnancy. After the first trimester, it is considered to be acceptable to get an indoor tan as long as you are lying on your side in the tanning bed (to prevent restricted blood flow) or standing up in a booth.

Most salon owners are aware that tanning bed technology is a relatively new and that very few studies have been done on the effects of tanning beds and pregnancy. This is also why most reputable salons require a note from a doctor before offering a tanning session to pregnant individuals.

We don't allow pregnant women to tan unless we get written approval from their doctor.

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