3 Weeks Pregnant: to Tan, or Not to Tan?

I know you already posted your what happened but I wouldn't do it regardless what the dr says.

Not only bad for the fetus but skin cancer here I come!

I am a bit biased in my opinion because my husband's uncle is dying of melanoma, so I would have to say I would just forget about the $60 and not tan. I think those tanning beds are so dangerous for our health. (I used to use them all the time up until a few years ago, I am hoping I didn't do any permanent damage to myself!)
Anyway, just my 2 cents.

I think it will be ok. I didnt find out I was pregnant until I was 6 weeks and I know I tanned before I found out. I just wouldnt over do it, just enough so you wont fry on vacation. But you can always ask your doctor to be sure.

I know you have already done your so what happened, but I wouldn't. I stayed away from the sun other than my needing to get vitamin b and that's about it. Probably because I was hugging the toilet my entire pregnancy, so I stayed home a lot! I was super paraoined while pregnant. Maybe you can get an exchange from the beds to a spay on tan????

Why risk it? You have the REST of your life to tan. I love having nice color and I totally get your points - however, I quit tanning completely when I was pregnant, upcoming vacations and all. It simply is not worth risking. Ask your doctor, you will probably get the same response. However, even if my doc told me I could tan, I wouldn't. There are doctors out there who say 2 drinks per day won't harm a fetus, some say ZERO alcohol - who is right? Well, to me, it doesn't matter who is "right" - I am erring on the side of caution when it comes to my baby. But, that is my opinion. =)

You "freezing" in the bed is not what matters- it is what your internal body temp gets up to while tanning.

I agree with another poster regarding freezing the sessions. I have never known a salon who won't allow you to do that. A tanning bed is completely different than natural sun (and you shouldn't stay in natural sun too long pregnant either). Just use common sense on vacation and have fun!

I absolutely would NOT get into a tanning bed. It is not the same as tanning slowly in natural sunlight. Because tanning beds are designed to tan a person quickly in a short amount of time, they expose users to radiation that is far too intense for a new fetus. The first few weeks of pregnancy, even though you aren't showing yet, are among the most critical. It's at this stage that your baby grows and changes the most. I would recommend investing in a quality spray tan (the type that requires someone else to spray you w/ a handheld sprayer). I did this for a friend's wedding when I was 5 months pregnant. Spray tans are safe for expectant mothers & they look much more natural than years ago. I'd save the tanning visits for a much later date. Enjoy your trip!

I know very well the overall risk in tanning, but I don't think I've ever heard any extra risk during pregnancy. A quick google showed that one potential risk is that a tanning bed can raise your body temp, just like a hottub can, which isn't recommended in pregnancy.

Here's an article that seems to present a balanced view: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/tanningm...

The only opinion that should matter is your doctor's. Check with their office.

Have a great time in Hawaii!

I ran into the same problem when I was pregnant, I just gave the rest of my tanning package to my friend for a birthday gift. I personally wouldn't do it just because your so early along and even a small body temp change can harm the developing fetus.

I personally would not get in a tanning bed. There are too many issues with them and people who are not pregnant. Why take a risk?

I'm preparing for a trip to Hilton Head and I want some color. I am Native American heritage and never burn but I hate laying in the sun. I use the bronzer from Bath and Body to get a start.

You may be able to use the coupons for a spray tan.. just a thought.

Of course, just ask your Dr.

I say let Hawaii's beautiful sun do the tanning naturally for you. So you will be white for the first day, after that you will look wonderfully sun kissed. A tanning bed is dangerous when you are pregnant as your overall temp can get too high and that can be dangerous to the developing baby.
Good Luck and have an awesome time in Hawaii (its so gorgeous there)

Your skin behaves differently when you are pregnant. All the usual products I have used for YEARS to clean my face (because my face is super oily) suddenly caused my skin to burn and peel when I was pregnant. I used them again just fine after my son was born.
There's nothing wrong with your skin looking white after a long winter.
If you've never burned from the sun, chances are you won't now (although it might be a little different being pregnant).
There are people in Asia who go through elaborate procedures to bleach/whiten their skin.
Why can't everyone be happy with the skin they've got?
Additional:
More info I've found:
"Tanning by means of tanning beds or traditional sunbathing is known to be dangerous to just about any individual. Medical professionals have known for a while that tanning damages the skin and could lead to skin cancer. Although tanning is not advised for just about everyone, each day there are a number of pregnant women who actually do or at least consider tanning. Of course with the popularity rise the question of pregnancy and tanning comes about.

Although it has not been medically proven that tanning beds cause pregnancy problems, there are some increased risks with tanning in general. These risks may include a miscarriage or spinal problems in an unborn child whose mother tans. It is important to remember that some pregnant women may fall victim to these risks while others and their child end up perfectly fine.

A tanning bed and the sun each give off ultraviolet rays. These rays have been known to cause skin damage in all individuals, but they are also known to decrease the levels of folic acid. Pregnant women and their unborn children need folic acid because it aids in the development of an unborn child’s neural tube.

Tanning beds and traditional sunbathing is often done in hot weather. The heat causes the body temperature of a tanner to rise. Since tanners using a tanning bed are laying directly on top of the ultraviolet lamps it creates a hotter environment. When the body of a pregnant woman becomes overheated, especially in the first trimester, it is possible for her unborn child to develop a spinal problem.

Since the risks of tanning are still unknown there are currently projects and medical studies underway to determine the exact causes and dangers of pregnancy and tanning. Until medical proof has been found or dismissed there are a number of tanning salon owners who are not willing to take any chances. Pregnant women are often required to bring in written permission from their physician before they are able to tan. This is used as a precautionary measure by many tanning bed owners incase it later turns out that tanning does have a negative effect on a pregnant women and her unborn child.

With all that is known about tanning beds and outdoor sunbathing it is difficult to imagine why a pregnant woman would want to put herself and her unborn child at risk. Although this is difficult to imagine there are many pregnant women who tan with care and limit their amount of time under the sun or in a tanning bed."

Tanning beds are one of the worst things you can do to your skin and body, pregnant or not.

Skip it. Who cares if you're pale and wearing a bikini? Slather on the sunscreen and be grateful that you won't be getting skin cancer AND you'll be modeling healthy behavior for your future child.

Tanning is dangerous to do. I wouldn't do it, even with a pending vacation. You need to put the baby first! The tanning beds raise your body temperature too high. It seems like you're justifying it by saying you're cold/shivering. Honestly, why would you put the tanning over the health of your baby, even if you're only 3 weeks? It's not worth it.

The heat makes your body temp rise & can cause death to the fetus if your using the tanning beds,the chemicals in spray on tans don't know if those have been studied & the effects on fetuses however I would opt to give the tans to a friend & use the natural sunlight to tan while being cautious not to become dehydrated,sun burned,& using sun screen/shade

When in doubt, don't. I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Blessings....

Moms, help me out---what's that weird thing that happens to pregnant women when they're in the sun? Those weird white spots. They don't go away! I wasn't told about them. Neither was my bff. SHE told me she got these weird white freckle looking things on her skin and didn't know what they were, she went to the dr and he told her (after the fact?!) that it was from being in the sun a lot while pregnant. I remembered it and kept that in mind during my first pregnancy. My second pregnancy was a few years later and I forgot about it. I don't "lay out" because I just don't have time for that. But I would get sun from taking my 3 year old to the spray park or playgrounds, we went to the pool ALL THE TIME because it was nice and cool water in the miserably hot summer, so I would "go hippo" and just enjoy the pools....and my oldest was learning to go down the water slides and swim to the wall himself and he was addicted to going. Well, I got these weird white spots. I was complaining to my bff and she said she'd told me about them (but I forgot!). I found them in my What to Expect When You're Expecting book but can't remember the name. I don't have tons, because I wasn't really in direct light, trying to tan, and I wore sunscreen.....but my little guy is now 16 months old and I still have some little white circles on my face and shoulders (not much bigger than freckles). Weird! I had to wear a little base for awhile until they (and my tan) faded. I almost never wear makeup so that was annoying to "have to". The doctor confirmed that's what it was, nothing serious like cancer or whatever. Something about the pregnancy hormones reacting to the sun. Would that be the same issue with a bed, I don't know. And yeah---temperature has nothing to do with if you "feel" cold because a fan is on you. It's internal temperature that affects a baby. But either way, wear sunblock and have a blast in HA. I'm jealous! :)

I use UV light therapy to treat my psoriasis- basically a medical-grade tanning bed in my dermatologist's office- and it's approved for use during pregnancy. The only issue they track is my body temperature.

I bet you get a lot of OMG .. Tanning!?!? responses. However, in my family, we are dark complected and if you use sun screen regularly, getting out in the sun can be done in a healthy manner. Honestly, we can walk to the mailbox and get darker. Anyway, even with that in mind, I would NOT use a tanning bed while pregnant at all. Speak directly to the tanning store owner and tell her the circumstance. Ask if she would allow you to keep the unused appointments and use within 3 months of the baby's birth. If she's a reasonable business owner she could just write a note on the certificate and it will be honored. She should hope to keep you as a happy customer and not risk any injury to baby!

Talk to your doctor. I don't think its a good idea. but I don't use a tanning bed ever and have a very negative opinion of them in the first place. But I can't imagine it would be safe to do, when you aren't supposed to go in a hot tub while pregnant either.

I don't think that you are supposed to tan while you are pregnant. It is different than laying out in the sun. I would ask your Dr. before doing it. I am sure that you would not want to put your new little one at risk. Maybe you could speak with the tanning place and tell them your predicament, and see if they can move your tanning time to a date after you have the baby. Or change it to one of those spray tans? If I were a tanning salon owner, I would try to accomodate someone in your predicament. Hope it all works out for you!

I used to be in the tanning business and taniing while pregnant is perfectly fine. It's a great way to get vitamin D to you and your baby.

What the Dr.s worry about is overheating. Go early in the day when the beds are still cold and if the bed starts to heat up, cut your tan short. You and the baby will be fine from tanning. Everyone always goes to the extreme when it comes to what they think isn't good for you. I am pregnant with my third and tanned during my first trimester. I also tanned when pregnant with my first.

I'm 53 and get told how young I look all the time. People literally think that I am about 38. My secret is that I had a Scottish grandmother from the Isle of Skye. She never had a wrinkle and passed away in her eighties with beautiful skin. She wore a hat and a silk mask when she went in the sun. This is extreme, I know. But, I have stayed out of the sun and I am so grateful I did. Never let your choices, now, ruin your old age. In every era, a woman's beauty is one of her greatest assets. Cancer and wrinkles are totally avoidable. If you have pale skin, your ancestors lived near the glaciers and the full sun is NOT FOR YOU.

M.,
Hello. My personal opinion is to go on the side of caution. Lots of people and doctors say its okay to color your hair too, but my fertility specialist said there could be a slight risk with anything like this and I went through so much just to get pregnant, none of it was worth the small risk to me. Your child is in the beginning stages of development, I wouldn't recommend it. What to do now with already paid tans? I would either speak with the owner/manager, let them know you just found out your pregnant and that you don't think its safe - see if they'll let you use them after you have the baby or gift them to a friend or see if a friend is willing to buy them from you. If you're naturally dark, then trust me when I tell you there will be people that are paler on vacation than you. Don't worry so much about your color, just enjoy this wonderful trip. Best of luck to you.
~ J.

I don't know about the white spots April C. is referring to (I'm pregnant with my 4th) but I do know we get DARK spots of pigmentation on our bodies. I currently have some darker spots on my face...but I wear sunscreen religiously every day and I hardly go out in the sun, as I have no tan. I believe they call it the "pregnancy mask."

First of all, by your "So what happened" response, I'm confused: are you using a tanning bed or is your question about a tanning cream? IF you are using a tanning bed, I hope you will stop. IF you are considering using a tanning bed, I hope you don't. EVERY time you go under tanning lights, you increase your risk for skin cancer 30 + percent. This should scare you. Skin cancer can be deadly and with another child on the way, I'm betting you want to be around a good long time.

IF you are talking about tanning creams, I honestly don't know much about them. I would talk to your OB about it as I do not know anything about the chemicals in those products. "They" (whoever "they" are) say not to paint your nails or get your hair colored or permed during pregnancy......I paint my nails and color my hair while pregnant and my 3 children are healthy and well.

Yup. My skin did weird things when pregnant, and they did not all go away. You may be getting short-term gain with long-term consequences. That said, I don't think it will do any harm at all to the fetus.

However, tanning beds are the worst thing you can do for your skin; way worse than going to Hawaii with pale skin. (I'm from Seattle, so I know a thing or two about pale skin...) The risks of cancer are so much higher with tanning beds. Did you know that the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently published a policy statement describing the effects of UV light exposure in children while pushing for a ban on tanning in children under age 18? My go-to source on health tips and pediatric information is Seattle Mama Doc

http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/tanning-bed-ba...

You should check out the link. She's knowledgeable, informative, and a good and compassionate communicator. A rare mix!

I would maybe call your Dr just in case. If they say no, maybe call the Tanning Salon and ask if they would be willing to refund your money considering your circumstances.

Enjoy your trip to Hawaii!! Aloha!!

Some tanning places will let you freeze your account for certain periods of time so that the minutes don't expire. Tell them your situation and I'll bet they'll do it. Why take a chance on something harming the baby if you don't have to. Have you tried self tanners - there are some very good ones out there! Good luck with your decision!