Tanning Salons and pregnancy...?

Question

Just a question, I was driving past a tanning salon here in our town, and saw a pregnant woman walking out, tan as could be.
I suppose she could be working there, but in the same respect she could have been tanning there as well....
So that raised a concern to me, Can you ACTUALLY use the tanning salons while pregnant? I know clearly that it is unsafe to begin with, skin cancer wise and all of that..but isn't there something with the heat? temperature or something that makes it unsafe?

lol I DONT WANT TO GO TANNING!!! dont worry!!! I'm asking because I saw a pregnant woman who DID go tanning!!
Jeesh people!!! :)

It was not a spray tan salon, it was the sun lamp kind.

Answer 1

People tan for various reasons. If skin rashes are non-responsive to prescription creams, a doctor will prescribe tanning because the UV rays heal the skin. I have a minor problem with this and the only thing that clears my skin is tanning. I suntanned in the natural sun during my entire first pregnancy with no ill affects whatsoever. There is no scientific evidence that it harms the fetus.

Here's what tanningfacts.com says.

PREGNANCY & TANNING
One of the most frequently asked questions is about pregnancy and tanning.

At this time there are no studies on the effects of tanning beds on the unborn child, so anything you hear is nothing but myths. The UV light used in tanning beds do not reach the child, therefore your baby is not at risk.

During the first trimester your doctor will advise you not to do anything that will raise your body's temperature, such as hot tubs, saunas, and tanning beds. But, it may be okay to have 10 -15 minute sessions while lying on your side or standing in a tanning booth, to prevent your blood flow from being restricted.

The most important thing to remember is to stay cool and drink plenty of fluids. Your skin during pregnancy is also sensitive to burning, so you should start with short sessions until your body is tanned. Pregnancy and tanning beds is no more harmful to your child than lying in the sun. Just use common sense and make sure you are comfortable. It's always best to go with the motto, if you think it's not worth the risk. then don't do it!

PLEASE NOTE: Many tanning facilities have specific rules regarding tanning while pregnant. Some salon owners require a doctors note while others may not allow tanning while pregnant. Please check with your salon staff for specific in-house policies.

Answer 2

Could it be the type of salon that sprays the tan on? I don't know why anyone would be crazy to use a tan salon while pregnant. I think too many people take too many risks while pregnant and don't realize how lucky they are to be pregnant in the first place.

Answer 3

I've never heard of any reason not to, except for laying flat on your back when you're in your second or third trimesters. Cutting off the circulation of that major artery is the only concern I know about. How can UV rays on your skin affect the fetus? I am curious to know why all the short "No" answers. Is there some research on it? Some of the beds hardly get hot nowadays, and you only stay in for a few minutes. I'm not advocating it. I honestly don't know but am curious.

Here's a real pregnancy concern:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AiP8fJ4GyeRYKLxVtpWhHmYezKIX?link=answer&.crumb=Wro%2FIvGch73&qid=20060918094739AAHgwdq&.done=http%253A%252F%252Fanswers.yahoo.com%252Fquestion%252Findex%253Fqid%253D20060918094739AAHgwdq

Answer 4

I can't believe her belly didn't burn those things close you in and get pretty close to you. I am also surprised she doesn't have the face discoloration you can get from tanning while pregnant or nursing from the hormones. When I was pregnant I did not tan in fact I was tanning before I found out I was pregnant and the thought of doing it while pregnant freaked me out.

Answer 5

spray is ok, so is self-tanner, anything else is not. During pregnancy, women tend to get sunburned much faster (hence the pregnancy melanoma- dark spots and freckles on the face), and are much more prone to having cancerous changes. The last thing they need is tanning.
For the baby- there are no hard proofs, but the evidence so far warns people to be cautious.

Answer 6

Even more important than heat the rays can be very dangerous. Tanning Solon's use variations of light that penetrate the skin and tissues of the body. Your right. That sounds dangerous

Answer 7

HOPEFULLY she wasn't really tanning. They've got this thing called a mystic tan where you just stand in this little cubicle thingy and they just spray you and it takes a couple hours to show up, there aren't any UV rays or anything to harm you. She may be doing just a touch up?

Answer 8

I don't know. I would think that any pregnant woman should ask her doctor before getting in a tanning booth. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 9

All of the above.... The heat is only one thing. The other is the radiation but there has been no proof to substantiate this, why take a chance anyway right but people do, they only think of themselves

Answer 10

My doc said that if you tan it can of course raise your body temp; therefore, also raise the temp. of the amniotic fluid. If the fluid gets too hot it can possibly burn the babies skin...