Can you use a tanning bed while pregnant? It’s best to avoid it. Tanning beds emit concentrated UV radiation that can raise your body temperature above 102°F, a level linked to an increased risk of birth defects. It also depletes folic acid, which is important for your baby’s brain development. Safer alternatives like DHA self-tanning lotions give you a beautiful glow without these risks.
Pregnancy is a time of big changes, and for many expectant moms, feeling confident and glowing matters. So it’s natural to wonder: can you use a tanning bed while pregnant, or is it off the table for the next nine months? The short answer is that it’s best to skip the tanning bed entirely. Here’s what you need to know about the risks — and what you can safely do instead to keep that sun-kissed look.
Are Tanning Beds Safe During Pregnancy?
Tanning beds are not considered safe during pregnancy. They emit the same cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation as the sun, but at higher, more concentrated levels.
While a single session is unlikely to directly harm your baby, the risks associated with regular use are real and well-documented. The main concerns are overheating, folic acid depletion, and increased risk of melasma.
Note: We are not medical professionals — this article is for general information only. Always check with your OB-GYN with any health questions during pregnancy.
Health Risks of Using a Tanning Bed While Pregnant
Overheating is the most immediate concern. Lying in a tanning bed can push your core body temperature above 102°F (39°C) — the same reason hot tubs and saunas are off-limits during pregnancy. This level of heat is associated with an increased risk of birth defects, especially during the first trimester.
After about 20 weeks, lying on your back for extended periods can restrict blood flow from your heart to your baby. Feeling lightheaded in a tanning bed is a warning sign to stop immediately.
UV exposure also worsens melasma, those dark patches on the face and arms that are already more common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Tanning accelerates melasma and makes it harder to manage.
Do Tanning Beds Provide Vitamin D During Pregnancy?
Despite a common belief, tanning beds are not an effective way to boost vitamin D. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, tanning bed bulbs mostly emit UVA light, but your body needs UVB light to produce vitamin D.
For a safer approach, get vitamin D from food (fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk, and cereals) or your prenatal vitamin.
Can Tanning Beds Deplete Folic Acid When Pregnant?
Yes, and this is one of the most overlooked risks.
Research has shown that UV radiation from indoor tanning beds can break down folic acid in your body. Folic acid is critical to fetal brain and nervous system development, and the risk is greatest during the first trimester and early second trimester — when your baby’s brain is laying its foundations.
Safe Tanning Alternatives to Use While Pregnant
Self-tanning lotions, creams, and foams are considered safe during pregnancy. They work as surface dyes and don’t penetrate deeply into the skin. The active ingredient — dihydroxyacetone (DHA), often derived from sugar beets or sugar cane — has been FDA-approved since the 1970s. Experts consider the minimal skin absorption safe for pregnancy.
Stick with a lotion or foam over a spray tan. Spray tans carry a risk of inhaling DHA and other chemicals, which could reach your baby through your lungs. Modern self-tanners deliver natural, streak-free results without the orange tones of older formulas.
Pregnancy Tanning Options Compared
| Tanning Method | UV Exposure | Overheating Risk | Folic Acid Risk | DHA Inhalation Risk | Safe During Pregnancy? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanning Bed | High (concentrated UVA/UVB) | High | High | None | No |
| Outdoor Sun Tanning | Moderate–High (UVA/UVB) | Moderate | Moderate | None | Not Recommended |
| Spray Tan | None | None | None | Moderate | Use With Caution |
| Self-Tanning Lotion/Cream | None | None | None | None | Yes |
| Self-Tanning Foam | None | None | None | None | Yes |
| Bronzing Makeup/Powder | None | None | None | None | Yes |
Is It Safe to Use a Tanning Bed While Pregnant?
Can you use a tanning bed while pregnant? The safest answer is no.
Between the risks of overheating, concerns about folic acid, and UV exposure, tanning beds simply aren’t worth it during pregnancy.
A quality DHA self-tanner gives you the same glow without any of those worries, and your natural pregnancy radiance is worth celebrating, too.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tanning Beds and Pregnancy
Q: Can you use a tanning bed while pregnant?
It is not recommended. Tanning beds emit concentrated UV radiation that can raise body temperature to unsafe levels (above 102°F), deplete folic acid, and increase the risk of melasma. Pregnancy-safe self-tanners with DHA are a better option.
Q: What are the risks of tanning while pregnant?
The main risks include overheating (which can increase the risk of birth defects), folic acid depletion, restricted blood flow when lying on your back after 20 weeks, and worsening of pregnancy-related melasma.
Q: Is getting a spray tan safe during pregnancy?
Spray tanning carries more risk than lotion self-tanners due to the possibility of inhaling DHA chemicals. Lotion and foam self-tanners applied by hand are the safer choice during pregnancy.
Q: What self-tanning products are safe to use while pregnant?
Lotions, creams, and foams containing DHA are generally considered safe. DHA is derived from natural sources and has been FDA-approved since the 1970s. Avoid spray tans to minimize inhalation risk.
Q: Can I get vitamin D from a tanning bed during pregnancy?
No. Tanning beds primarily emit UVA light, but your body needs UVB light to produce vitamin D. Get vitamin D from food or a prenatal vitamin supplement instead.
Q: When during pregnancy are the UV risks highest?
The first trimester and early second trimester are the highest-risk periods, as folic acid is most critical to fetal brain development during these weeks.
Q: What temperature is unsafe during pregnancy?
A core body temperature above 102°F (39°C) is considered potentially dangerous. Tanning beds, hot tubs, and saunas can all cause body temperature to rise to this level.
Have Bigger Questions Too?
Pregnancy raises a lot of questions, some about tanning beds, some much bigger than that.
If you’re navigating an unplanned pregnancy and wondering about your options, Lifetime Adoption has been a trusted resource for women in that moment since 1986. We’re available day or night. Call or text 1-800-923-6784.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 19, 2017, and has since been updated.
Heidi Keefer is a Content Creator for Lifetime Adoption and has over 15 years of experience in the field of adoption. An author of thousands of articles and social media posts over the years, Heidi enjoys finding new ways to educate and captivate Lifetime’s ever-growing list of subscribers.
Heidi has a keen eye for misplaced apostrophes, comma splices, and well-turned sentences, which she has put to good use as a contributor to Lifetime’s award-winning blogs. She has written and published hundreds of adoption articles which explore the various facets of domestic infant adoption today.
0 Comments