Tanning While Pregnant

Pregnancy and tanning is a subject that comes up during the tanning season, as well throughout the entire year. It is important to note that indoor tanning equipment utilizing either primarily UVA (as in high-pressure tanning equipment) or UVA and UVB (as in low-pressure products) penetrate the layers of the epidermis, dermis, and in some cases, the subcutaneous layer of the skin. It does not however, have sufficient energy to penetrate any further.

With pregnancy come many physical and emotional transformations. The hormones produced and stimulated during pregnancy create many changes that sometimes fill a mother-to-be with anxiety and tension. When it comes to tanning, expectant mothers as well as salon owners must consider several factors when deciding on an indoor tanning policy regarding pregnancy.

As mentioned above, UV tanning rays do not penetrate to a depth that would directly affect a fetus. That is, UVA and UVB light only penetrate to and interact with the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin. However, there are indirect factors that must be considered when allowing a pregnant consumer to tan in your tanning facility.

One of the biggest concerns regarding tanning and pregnancy lies with the possibility of dehydration or overheating which is referred to medically as hyperthermia. In the initial stages of pregnancy, there are certain studies that have linked extreme hyperthermia to birth defects including heart problems, abdominal-wall defects and problems with the development of the nervous system.

Most of these problems are rare, have not been linked to indoor tanning and only have been associated with prolonged exposure to temperatures of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or more for several hours in the early stages of pregnancy. Fortunately, regulatory standards typically limit the maximum temperature for commercial tanning devices to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As a rule, in the later stages of pregnancy, most doctors report that a normal fetus is less sensitive to heat, although caution should still be exercised.

When considering the heat generated by tanning devices and pregnancy, common sense plays an important role. Pregnant women who decide to tan should be sure and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. And, whether a consumer is pregnant or not, when a person starts to feel uncomfortable from the heat, it is time to end the tanning session.

During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone affect hormones that stimulate the deposit of pigment in the skin. With this stimulation sometimes comes an exaggerated pigmentation in the skin color of the face. Seventy percent of pregnant women develop this condition, called chloasma or the "mask of pregnancy," which can be seen in varying degrees in a majority of pregnancies.

This darkening of the face may continue after delivery if birth control pills containing estrogen and progesterone are taken. Women with naturally dark hair are more susceptible to this condition that can be exaggerated with continued UV exposure. Although it is typically not a highly noticeable trait, many women are more conscious of their appearance during pregnancy, so it can be unsettling if a customer notices any of these changes. Fortunately, these cosmetic changes are almost always reversible after delivery.

Even though its understood that ultraviolet light cannot penetrate the body to reach the womb, or the fetus, many salon owners have made a decision not to knowingly allow clients to tan during pregnancy. In other instances, salon owners require written permission slips from the customer’s personal physician or OBGYN. In any case, the ultimate decision should be left to the informed salon owner as to the policy of tanning while pregnant.

Salon owners also should discuss this policy with their insurance carriers. In some cases, insurance companies will already have a pregnancy/tanning policy in place that mandates the procedures of the salon. In any case, owners should develop a written and consistent policy so staff members handling customers will be well aware of the owner’s wishes regarding tanning and pregnancy.