Is it possible to visit a solarium during pregnancy? (English)

Pregnancy is a wonderful time, many women blossom during this period and, of course, they want to look well-groomed. Expectant mothers who are used to always having an even tan find it difficult to give it up, especially in the warm season. But achieving ideal results without visiting a tanning studio is not easy, so a logical question arises: is it possible to combine pregnancy and a solarium?

This topic causes a lot of controversy and disagreement. Supporters of artificial tanning claim that the procedure only brings benefits, while its opponents categorically do not approve of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin of a pregnant woman. Which one is right?

Solarium during pregnancy: benefits of the procedure

First, it is worth mentioning the positive effects of solarium on health. Yes, indeed, there are benefits from the procedure, they are as follows:

A visit to the solarium activates metabolic processes in the female body. First of all, this concerns the functioning of the endocrine system.
Ultraviolet light promotes the production of vitamin D. It is necessary for the normal absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body of a pregnant woman. These microelements are important for maintaining the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, which bears a significant load when carrying a child.
Sun rays, even artificial ones, improve the functioning of the immune system and increase resistance to infectious diseases.
If you suffer from acne, psoriasis or eczema, visiting a solarium during pregnancy can dry out the rashes and thereby speed up skin cleansing.
Tanning in a solarium, subject to the recommended time spent in it, does not cause skin burns, as sometimes happens during natural exposure to sunlight. The procedure can serve as a good preparation for the body for the swimming season.

Moreover, visiting a solarium during pregnancy in winter is even more beneficial than in summer. Since it is during the cold season that a woman experiences a shortage of sunlight. But not in all cases, a solarium is useful; artificial tanning has contraindications that need to be taken into account.

Can a solarium harm the health of the expectant mother and baby?

To understand whether pregnant women can go to a solarium and what the downside of this procedure is, let’s look at what tanning is. Changing skin color when exposed to sunlight is a protective reaction of the body.

Since during pregnancy there is a change in hormonal levels that affects the production of melanin (the pigment responsible for skin color), additional stimulation of its production by ultraviolet light is undesirable. If the expectant mother frequently visits the solarium, there is a risk that she will develop not only an even tan, but also a large number of age spots. Read more about skin pigmentation during pregnancy→

This is the first and most likely side effect of the procedure. It does not threaten your health, but can create an unpleasant cosmetic defect.

The influence of solarium in early and late stages

A woman, as a rule, manages to find out about her situation only a few weeks after conception. Therefore, for some time she continues to lead her previous lifestyle, including visiting a tanning studio, if the procedure was previously commonplace.

Should those who went to the solarium in the early stages of pregnancy need to worry? Even if you were actively sunbathing, not knowing that you were expecting a baby, if you were feeling well, this is not a reason to worry.

A visit to a solarium will not affect the development of a healthy pregnancy, but if there is a threat of miscarriage, the procedure can be dangerous. Therefore, for women who have not yet had time to be examined and are not sure of the normal attachment of the fetus, as well as the absence of diseases in themselves for which tanning is contraindicated, it is better to refuse ultraviolet irradiation.

There is an opinion that solarium during early pregnancy helps to reduce the level of folic acid in the body of the expectant mother. And at the stage of laying the baby’s organs, this is unacceptable, since it increases the risk of congenital pathologies in the child.

In the later stages of pregnancy, the threat of overheating from tanning comes to the fore. Prolonged stay in a solarium leads to dehydration of the body of the expectant mother.

In addition, after the second trimester, it is not recommended to sunbathe for a long time while lying on your back. This position causes discomfort to the child, since the veins and arteries located behind the uterus are pinched and, accordingly, the supply of nutrients to the baby at this moment deteriorates.

In what cases is solarium contraindicated during pregnancy?

Is it possible to sunbathe in a solarium during pregnancy, if you do not abuse it? Unfortunately, there are conditions in which even short-term ultraviolet irradiation is contraindicated, the main ones being:

first skin phototype;
hypertension;
any diseases of the reproductive system;
hormonal disorders;
abnormalities in the functioning of the thyroid gland;
diabetes;
exacerbation of chronic diseases;
elevated body temperature.

While undergoing antibiotic therapy, solarium is also prohibited. This group of drugs provokes increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

Note! If you have any of the contraindications listed above, you should not only visit the solarium, but also sunbathe under natural sunlight.

Rules for visiting a solarium during pregnancy

In answering the question whether a pregnant woman can sunbathe in a solarium, the final word should go to the doctor. But you need to keep in mind that most doctors still do not approve of artificial tanning during pregnancy.

If you have no contraindications and you are not going to give up the solarium, you should take care of how to make the procedure as safe as possible. Following a few simple rules will help with this:

Properly prepare for tanning - wash off all cosmetics from your face and body, since under the influence of ultraviolet radiation they can have an adverse effect on the skin. You should also remove contact lenses, if you have them.
Wear all the necessary protective elements - glasses, cap, swimsuit. It is not recommended for pregnant women to sunbathe naked; it is dangerous for the breast skin, which is especially sensitive during this period.
Do not use any means to enhance tanning.
Be sure to take a bottle of plain still water with you. Drinking fluids will prevent dehydration.
The procedure must be carried out without exceeding the recommended time of ultraviolet irradiation. The first visit should last no more than 3 minutes.
If you feel unwell during a tanning session, it should be interrupted immediately.

Reviews from women who combined solarium and pregnancy are mostly positive. But still, we must not forget that the baby’s health during this period completely depends on the mother. Therefore, the woman’s task is to ensure that even such a relatively safe procedure is carried out in compliance with all precautions.

Author: Yana Semich,
especially for Mama66.ru

Useful video: how to sunbathe properly in a solarium?

By sunbathing, we provide the body with vitamin D. It would seem that this is very good and useful, but not during pregnancy.

Solarium during pregnancy: contraindications and consequences

Every woman wants to look attractive. The period when she carries a child under her heart is no exception. To give their skin a darker tint, women visit a solarium. The principle of its operation is to irradiate the body with ultraviolet rays, due to which the skin acquires a dark shade. In addition, in this way the body receives vitamin D, which it is not able to produce on its own. Therefore, many women go to the solarium, but is it safe during pregnancy?

Solarium during pregnancy: pros and cons

Experts' opinions on this matter are divided. Some believe that artificial sunbathing is contraindicated, others are in favor. Those who are not against tanning are convinced that visiting a booth helps:

production of vitamin D;
strengthening the immune system;
destruction of pathogenic bacteria;
drying cuts and scratches;
activation of metabolism;
normalization of blood circulation.

In addition, if a woman is pregnant in the summer, visiting a solarium, in their opinion, prevents sunburn and prepares the skin for exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Opponents of solarium are convinced that it will negatively affect both the condition of the expectant mother and the condition of the baby. A few minutes of rest under UV rays will help:

pigmentation;
malfunction of the immune system;
disorders in brain development;
physical and mental pathology;
overheating of the fetus (due to the baby’s lack of sweat glands).

Who can

Sunbathing while expecting the birth of a baby is possible only after consultation with a gynecologist and in the absence of any diseases that prevent a visit. Only those who are absolutely healthy and do not have any abnormalities due to pregnancy are allowed to enjoy a session under ultraviolet lamps.

Contraindications

The main contraindication is pregnancy, which occurs with complications. Experts also talk about a number of diseases, the presence of which is prohibited from sunbathing:

phlebeurysm;
hyper-and hypotonic disease;
disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
mastopathy;
endocrine diseases;
diabetes;
the presence of papillomas and other skin formations;
presence of a viral infection;
various types of skin inflammatory processes.

Is it possible to sunbathe in a solarium in the early stages?

Doctors say that in the early stages of pregnancy (up to a maximum of 4 weeks), tanning is harmless, but they strongly recommend refraining from further visits at least until a visit to a specialist. In the first trimester, the formation of all major vital organs occurs. For a period of five or more weeks, visiting the solarium is strictly prohibited.

If you sunbathed in a solarium in the early stages without knowing about pregnancy

When planning a pregnancy, women try to lead a normal lifestyle: they actively engage in swimming, jogging, continue to sing, dance, and some visit a solarium to maintain a beautiful chocolate skin tone.

Often a woman sunbathes under artificial rays without even knowing about her situation. As soon as pregnancy has become obvious and confirmed, tanning under UV rays should be abandoned. It is necessary to make sure that the fetus is properly implanted and there is no threat of termination of pregnancy.

What are the consequences of visiting a solarium during pregnancy for a child?

Going to a solarium is very dangerous for a baby, since a developing fetus lacks sweat glands. It is extremely difficult to control its temperature. Therefore, it is almost impossible to determine the time permissible for staying in a solarium.

Doctor's recommendations

To ensure that visiting a solarium during pregnancy does not bring additional inconvenience and is as safe as possible for the expectant mother and child, doctors recommend adhering to the following recommendations:

burning should not be allowed;
it is necessary to calculate the time correctly. The session should not last more than 3 minutes;
sunbathe only in a swimsuit;
eyes, lips, hair should not be irradiated;
Do not use sunscreen;
To prevent dehydration, experts recommend drinking water before and after a tanning session.

Artificial tanning is very popular, both among young girls and mature women. Some are not ready to give up their bronze skin tone even when they are pregnant. There are two types of solariums - horizontal and vertical. Doctors recommend that if you do visit a solarium, women in an interesting position should give preference to the vertical option.

The vast majority of the fair sex are against tanning during the period of bearing a child. You cannot make an independent decision in favor of visiting a tanning studio. You should at least inform your gynecologist about your intentions. Otherwise, there is a high probability of harming the baby.

No matter how far the beauty industry has come, no matter how significant the fashion for a bronze skin tone is for some women, going to a solarium during pregnancy is not the best idea.

Useful video

Many women regularly visit the solarium because they want their skin to be beautiful and golden, regardless of the time of year and the weather outside. With the onset of pregnancy, expectant mothers continue to take care of themselves and strive to always look attractive. Therefore, many women wonder: is it possible to sunbathe in a solarium while pregnant? An artificial tanning session during pregnancy brings both benefits and harm to the mother and baby. Only by following the rules can you achieve a positive result and not harm either yourself or your unborn child.

Can pregnant women sunbathe in a solarium?

Doctors do not recommend visiting a solarium for pregnant women because of the harm that can be caused to the child through the mother's body under the influence of ultraviolet rays. This applies not only to salon procedures, but also to tanning obtained at home using a mini-solarium. Nevertheless, a session in the solarium also brings benefits. To do this, you must follow all the rules for the procedure and be sure to consult your doctor first. However, there are a number of contraindications, in the presence of which pregnant women are strictly prohibited from sunbathing in a solarium:

first skin type (blue or green eyes, freckles, blond hair and skin);
hypertension;
malignant and benign tumors;
any diseases of the reproductive system;
hormonal disorders;
abnormalities in the functioning of the thyroid gland;
diabetes;
phlebeurysm;
mastopathy;
exacerbation of chronic diseases;
taking antibiotics;
threat of miscarriage;
elevated body temperature.

Solarium is a specially equipped cabin or capsule for receiving dosed irradiation with ultraviolet lamps. There are two types of solariums - horizontal and vertical. The latter is currently more popular.

Harm from solarium in early pregnancy

Often in the first days of pregnancy, a woman does not know that she is pregnant. If during this period the expectant mother goes to the solarium, this will not harm the fertilized egg. However, if you know about pregnancy, then hold off on visiting the solarium, since in the first trimester of pregnancy there is a high risk of autoimmune pathologies and circulatory disorders at the site of attachment of the fertilized egg. Also, exposure to ultraviolet rays in a solarium can cause a decrease in the production of folic acid (vitamin B9), which in the early stages of pregnancy provides the unborn baby with the necessary speed of growth and development. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to premature termination of pregnancy due to placental insufficiency. Do not forget that in the first trimester hormonal changes occur in the female body, therefore the reaction to ultraviolet rays will also change. Therefore, instead of a beautiful golden tan, the result of the procedure may be pigment spots on the skin. If the expectant mother feels excellent in the first trimester, then with the doctor’s permission and subject to all the rules, you can visit the solarium. But if a threat of miscarriage has been diagnosed, then overheating in a solarium is strictly prohibited.

Harm from solarium in the second and third trimester

In the second and third trimester, it is dangerous for expectant mothers to visit a solarium, since due to temperature changes, premature labor may begin or a miscarriage may occur. And regular exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause severe swelling due to overheating and lack of fluid. The greatest risk of overheating is observed in the later stages, so it is best to refrain from artificial tanning and be careful when exposed to direct sunlight. During overheating, a protective mechanism is triggered in a woman’s body, and she copes with this situation through increased sweating. The child does not have such a mechanism, so such temperature changes are undesirable for the baby.

It is also harmful for pregnant women and their future babies to sunbathe on their backs in a horizontal solarium or under the sun. This is due to the risk of compression of the vena cava, which can lead to the child not receiving enough oxygen and essential substances for development. And for mothers, this position can cause breathing problems, numbness of the lower extremities, dizziness and fainting.

The benefits of visiting a solarium during pregnancy

It is difficult for women who are accustomed to solariums to abandon this procedure for 9 months. If you reduce the number of sessions and their duration, and also follow additional rules, then exposure to ultraviolet rays will benefit the expectant mother. But women should not go to the solarium without a doctor's permission. The benefits of artificial tanning for pregnant women are as follows:

Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the body produces vitamin D, which the baby needs for bone formation and muscle development. Vitamin D is also necessary to maintain the functioning of the musculoskeletal system of the expectant mother, the load on which is high during pregnancy. And thanks to this vitamin, calcium and phosphorus are normally absorbed in the female body;
An artificial tanning session activates metabolic processes. First of all, this concerns the functioning of the circulatory and endocrine systems;
thanks to the sun's rays (even artificial ones), the immune system is strengthened and the body's resistance to infections increases;
those who suffer from acne can “dry” them in a solarium, after which they will disappear or become less noticeable;
if you follow the rules, tanning in a solarium will not cause burns, while this often happens with natural tanning;
a session in a solarium can prepare the skin for the swimming season and exposure to direct sunlight;
visiting a solarium in cold weather improves your mood.

Rules for salon tanning during pregnancy

If you decide to go to a solarium during pregnancy, then you should definitely take care of your safety during an artificial tanning session. To do this, you must follow the following essential rules:

If before pregnancy you were used to going to the solarium several times a week, then in your pregnancy such a regime of visits is strictly prohibited. Be sure to consult with your doctor and find out how often you can resort to artificial tanning. As a rule, during the entire period of pregnancy you can sunbathe in a solarium no more than 20 times;
Before the procedure, warn the specialists of the beauty salon or tanning studio about your situation. It is best if one of the employees is nearby. This way you can be sure that you will be able to receive first aid if you feel unwell;
the first artificial tanning session should not exceed three minutes, and subsequent ones - 20;
When sunbathing in a solarium, you should wear a swimsuit to protect sensitive skin from exposure to ultraviolet rays;
During the procedure, cover your stomach with a towel;
Put a hat or scarf on your head. This will help protect your hair from drying out;
Be sure to use special safety glasses in the solarium. It is best to purchase your own rather than rent;
Before and after the procedure, apply a special protective cream to your body. The salon's specialists will help you choose the right product depending on your skin type. Before applying, please make sure that it can be used during pregnancy;
under no circumstances use creams with bronzers or cosmetics that enhance tanning;
a few hours before the procedure, take a shower with a soft gel. After this, do not use deodorant, perfume or cosmetics;
in late pregnancy, opt for a vertical solarium. This is a booth in which you need to stand or move;
As you know, tanning beds dry out your skin. Dry skin is prone to stretch marks. Therefore, after the procedure, take a shower with a soft gel and moisturize your skin.

Pregnant women should take a responsible approach to choosing a beauty salon or tanning studio, since not everywhere there is high-quality equipment. And if before pregnancy women do not pay attention to many little things, then expectant mothers need to be more attentive. It is necessary to focus on the following technical aspects:

There should be a call button in the solarium booth. Very often there is such a button, but it is faulty;
the cabin must be equipped with a powerful ventilation system. Due to lack of air, a pregnant woman may experience high blood pressure, dizziness, and even fainting;
if someone was in the solarium before you, then make sure that the booth is disinfected;
Check with the administrator when the llamas were last changed.

Doctors' opinion on tanning in a solarium during pregnancy

Doctors do not recommend pregnant women to visit a solarium due to the risk of overheating of the fetus, the appearance of pigmentation on the mother’s skin and other unpleasant consequences of the procedure. However, in some cases, experts advise pregnant women to visit a solarium to replenish vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, before you sign up for a tanning salon, consult your doctor.

Active insolation, solariums are not recommended during pregnancy, it is better to use creams with a protective factor.

gynecologist, Gavrilov Mikhail Vladimirovich

https://health.mail.ru/consultation/1551668/

Video: doctor about tanning in a solarium during pregnancy

Reviews from women about solariums during pregnancy

I visit the solarium once a month for 7 minutes. The risks are minimal: no overheating, no lack of oxygen and other horror stories. But you need to get vitamin D somehow. And the pimples that cover your entire face and body after sunbathing become noticeably smaller. For me, the solarium has only clear benefits.

Juliana

https://www.baby.ru/blogs/post/5927976–23171/

When I registered, the first thing I asked was about the solarium. So, the doctor told me: “under no circumstances should you go to the solarium,” because the body temperature rises there, and this is very harmful for the child. And I used self-tanner all summer and looked great.

whistle

http://forum.forumok.ru/index.php?showtopic=10831

I went to the solarium throughout my pregnancy until the 40th week. I told my gynecologist about this, she didn’t forbid me. I think that ultraviolet light is useful, but in moderate doses and without overheating.

Olya

https://www.baby.ru/blogs/post/5927976–23171/

I asked the doctor about solariums. He told me it was undesirable, citing the fact that they had not thoroughly studied the effects of solarium on a child. But walking around with the thought “what if it blows over” is stupid.

Sparrow

http://forum.forumok.ru/index.php?showtopic=10831&st=40

My doctor (a very experienced, attentive specialist, an older woman) told me that a solarium during pregnancy, especially in cold weather, is USEFUL. Just no more than 6 minutes a couple of times a month. This strengthens the body, prevents colds, and is a source of vitamin D. And frying in a solarium for a long time and is often harmful in any condition.

iris-23

https://eva.ru/static/forums/53/2005_11/472544.html

An artificial tanning session in a solarium can both harm the mother and baby and be beneficial. Doctors do not recommend going to the solarium during pregnancy, but in some cases this procedure will be useful. Only the doctor you are seeing can recommend or prohibit going to the solarium. If you decide to visit, and the doctor approves it, then carefully read the rules of the procedure and in no case neglect them.

Is it possible to visit a solarium during pregnancy? (English)

Is it possible to visit a solarium during pregnancy?