Pregnant women who wish to tan should be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of doing so before laying out in the sun or applying a fake tan. You can more quickly while pregnant, which is the main benefit. The main drawback is that it is unsafe for sensitive skin.
Pros of Tanning While Pregnant
Stretch marks and other pregnancy side effects may be alleviated with tanning.
You can much faster.
Getting a fake tan is a good idea.
Vitamin D synthesis benefits from sun exposure.
Cellulite and other skin flaws can look less noticeable on tanned skin.
Spending time outdoors or tanning in the sun can lessen depression.
Cons of Tanning While Pregnant
Folate Depletion
Particularly during pregnancy, folate is an essential nutrient. It supports the baby’s healthy development and is essential for preventing cardiovascular disease and other illnesses. One of the main components of a child’s body structure is folate. One NCBI study claims that UV radiation can cause the folic acid in the blood to break down, which can have serious consequences for both the mother and the unborn child.
Skin Problems
Human skin is vulnerable to UV ray damage. You run a significant risk of developing skin problems if you are exposed to UV rays during pregnancy because your body becomes more sensitive. According to NCBI research, there is a chance that hypomelanosis, also known as dark brown patches on the body, will manifest. Nearly 50–70% of pregnant women may be affected by this, which happens in a pregnant woman’s sun-exposed areas.
Chances of Sclerosis
Sclerosis is one of the many effects that ultraviolet radiation can have on your unborn child. According to one study, a higher level of UV ray exposure, particularly in the first trimester, can cause multiple sclerosis in the newborn.
Dehydration
Longer sun exposure increases the risk of dehydration, which is highly unadvisable during pregnancy. The secret to keeping you and your child healthy and hydrated is body fluids. Therefore, if you want to bronze your body in the sun, you must drink plenty of water as well as healthy beverages or juice.
Premature Ageing
Excessive tanning can damage your skin, whether you plan to use a tanning bed or the sun to beautify your skin. The DNA structure is damaged by the tanning bed’s higher UV light exposure, which increases the likelihood of melanoma contraction. When these problems come together, your skin ages prematurely and develop wrinkles.
The Risks of Tanning While Pregnant
A Risk of Sunburn
We all occasionally experience a sunburn, which can be a painful side effect of prolonged sun exposure. Because pregnancy can make the skin more sensitive, pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to sunburn when spending time outside.
A light sunburn probably won’t cause much harm to a pregnant woman or her unborn child, but an extreme sunburn that blisters or causes skin to peel can raise the risk of miscarriage by giving rise to a fever.
A Risk of Sunstroke and Overheating
Your body temperature rises if you spend a lot of time in the sun. Your body can quickly become dehydrated, which could result in the fetus beginning to overheat. Several long-term effects can result from overheating during pregnancy. Overheating has the potential to cause brain damage in infants and can also cause early labor or miscarriage.
Limit your exposure to direct UV rays and drink lots of water to prevent overheating on hot days or while tanning. You should leave the heat as soon as you begin to feel lightheaded or queasy as this may be a sign of sunstroke.
To learn more about why you can better while pregnant, continue reading.
Can Tanning While Pregnant Harm the Baby?
The safety of all tanning techniques for unborn children is still not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. According to some research so far, UV radiation can be harmful to developing fetuses. They claim that folic acid can be broken down by increased UV radiation.
It’s not entirely clear if pregnant women should use tanning beds. There is no concrete evidence that using a tanning bed while pregnant would be harmful to the unborn child. Experts continue to caution against it, though.
Precautions to Take for Beach Tanning During Pregnancy
Drink Lots of Water
Dehydration can result from sunbathing because the humid environment causes you to perspire much more than usual. To stay hydrated, consume plenty of water and other healthy beverages.
Avoid Prolonged Sunbathing
Your body temperature and the fetus’s temperature can both rise from spending a lot of time in the sun. Stay away from the hot sun and extreme heat.
Take Frequent Breaks
Take a break whenever you begin to feel hot. By doing this, you’ll maintain a safe body temperature.
Avoid Tanning Beds
For tanning, natural sunlight is preferable. UVB light is typically absent from tanning beds, which is a requirement for the synthesis of vitamin D.
Conclusion: Not Advised
There are no conclusive studies on tanning and pregnancy. However, tanning during pregnancy is not advised because it could harm the fetus.
There are many advantages to tanning and sunbathing outdoors in natural sunlight. They improve your mood, give you the recommended amount of vitamin D for your body, strengthen your immune system, and can treat many skin conditions. However, too much sun exposure can harm both you and your unborn child. While taking advantage of the warmth of the sun, you must think about safety precautions for both you and your unborn child.