Tanning in First Tri?

blonddnyc · April 2012

I just found out Im preg (5 weeks) and spent the past week lounging in the hot sun on vacation. Now Im home, with a great tan, and a BFP - and my usual routine is a tanning session (in a bed) every sunday. I use the top of the line, highest quality bed, that has so many fans in it that it stays a chilly temperature in there, and the max time is only 12 minutes.

I have done tons of research, and it seems that there is not scientific evidence that tanning does any harm tot he baby - and I feel like going once a week, just to maintain - cant possibly do any harm. There is no chance of overheating in there, with all the fans, I am usually quite cold at the end.

Since we are just in first tri - and will spend most of the summer in second/trird tri - what do you all plan on doing? To avoid the sun all summer? Or to lay out anyway and just stay cool and hydrated? I was just in miami last month and shocked to see all these pregnant bellies at the beach (in over 90+ heat) and when I posted about it on TTGP they all seemed to say I was nuts for believing preg women should hide from the sun.

So Im getting conflicting messages... some people say - are you crazy? Youll cook the baby - while others say theres nothing wrong with enjoying the sun as long as you dont over heat and stay hydrated.

What do you think?

mollybloom · April 2012

sun =/= tanning bed

A tanning bed has rays that are much more concentrated. I would imagine that there is very little research done to see how far the rays from the tanning bed penetrate. I wouldn't do it based on the unknown.

You can put your vanity on hold for a few weeks until you can be out in the sun, which is safe.

sebailey6 · April 2012

I say no way. You said it yourself...just because there is no scientific evidence does not mean it is safe. I went off all meds...one med there is not enough scientific evidence saying that that particular med is ok.

Please think about your unborn child. Give up the tanning bed. What IS proven is that tanning beds ARE NOT safe for YOU....so I say stop tanning. Having the beautiful tan (which believe me, I LOVE to have) is in no way worth harming your child.

doggylovr · April 2012

Really you should never use tanning beds... There is no way I would do it while pg.... Your own vanity will have to be set aside

MagMiche · April 2012

I'm in the same boat...I'm not a religous tanner by any means but I sure don't want to be pale all summer! We live on the lake and I've just been going out on the boat with DH and laying out....I may try the Jergens Sunless Tanner too...

jbrennan312 · April 2012

doggylovr:
Really you should never use tanning beds... There is no way I would do it while pg.... Your own vanity will have to be set aside

Yes

LSzwaya · April 2012

Aside from all the reasons tannin is horrible for you, you may be cool in the bed but your baby may not. You can cool your body off by sweating etc, but your baby is not able to regulate their temp, hence why hot tubs, saunas etc are bad for you and big no-nos while pregnant. I'd say skip them and just hang in the sun when its warm.

couliegirl · April 2012

I really hate to bring you into the 21st century, but tanning beds are bad. So, no, you should not go to a tanning booth pregnant or not.

mocasio3357 · April 2012

Skip the tanning bed for all the reasons above. Just lay out in the sun and protect yourself from overheating. GL.

ks3pink · April 2012

Honestly I am offended that you have been TTC for 10 months and don't want to make sacrifices for your baby. I remembered your name from TTGP and wsas excited to see you here but was shocked to read the question. Stay out of the tanning bed and be careful of the sun as you will burn easier. One summer without is not the end of the world.

jani7 · April 2012

I would not.

mollybloom · April 2012

ICarriedAWatermelon:
mollybloom:

sun =/= tanning bed

A tanning bed has rays that are much more concentrated. I would imagine that there is very little research done to see how far the rays from the tanning bed penetrate. I wouldn't do it based on the unknown.

You can put your vanity on hold for a few weeks until you can be out in the sun, which is safe.

I agree with all of this except the point that the sun is safe.

Yeah, that didn't read right. I meant to say that the sun is safe for the baby as long as mommy stays hydrated and wears sunblock. Didn't come out right.

nikipau144 · April 2012

No. Also, once you are able to sit in the sun later on in pregnancy during the summer, you may find that you personally can't handle it. I tried sitting out for a few minutes to get some sun while pg with DD and felt horrible after about 2 mins.

milesc · April 2012

...Ive only tanned in a bed, maybe twice, but from what I remember... Don't you have to sign a disclaimer when you go saying you are not pregnant?

I agree. Set vanity aside for the sake of your child. Why risk it?

A healthy pregnancy and child makes more sense to me

beccs98 · April 2012

Yeah, add me to team "Don't go in a tanning bed ever".

lovethoseleaves · April 2012

I think tanning in a bed is a terrible idea. I don't plan on avoiding the sun at all, I live in SoCal a block from the water and we go to the beach all the time. But I don't lay out and I wear sunscreen, SPF 15 at the very least. And like other PP said, the sun and tanning beds are not the same.

jens2009 · April 2012

I had my first appointment yesterday and that was one thing the doctor said was no tanning. Stay out of the tanning bed.

HopeNotLost · April 2012

I am in a wedding in like 3 weeks, and wearing a tangerine orange dress. I am naturally very pale, and started tanning to help get some color. However, I got my BFP and honestly, I don't care if I am pasty white or not. I refuse to put my CHILD at risk for a wedding. I will spray tan if needed. I wouldn't tan at all right now if I were you, but hey, only you can make that choice.

mopsie · April 2012

Even if tanning was safe for your unborn child (which it is NOT), it's very unsafe for you. Is it really worth putting yourself at an increased risk of skin cancer so you can be tan?

DebateThis · April 2012

You're just an idiot, OP. What planet have you been living on where you think it's acceptable to still be using tanning beds? And now you want to use one while you're pregnant?!

Moron.

ellie31 · April 2012

I haven't posted in ages, but this topic hit close to home... I don't know what tanning will do to your unborn child, but I do know from experience that it is extremely bad for YOU. In my early twenties, I started tanning and developed a melanoma on my thigh. Thankfully I caught in the earliest stages and they removed all of it. Belive me, when you are standing there getting a chest X-Ray to see if any of it spread to your lungs..you will not care if you are tan or pale, and you will pray for a clean bill of health. It's truly not worth it, ESPECIALLY now that you are pregnant!

tabitha6557 · April 2012

NO!!! Why even take the risk?

Tanning may be baby for the baby and is very definitely bad for you!

PolishWonder · April 2012

DebateThis:
You're just an idiot, OP. What planet have you been living on where you think it's acceptable to still be using tanning beds? And now you want to use one while you're pregnant?!
Moron.

Yes

MrsP610 · April 2012

Ok I'm going to admit I didn't read the responses so if this has been said I'm sorry.

NO AMOUNT OF TANNING IN A TANNING BED IS GOOD FOR YOU!! I don't care how many fans are blowing on you, you're still harming yourself.

I spent my childhood/teen years/early adult years worshiping the sun. Who doesn't look good with a tan, right? Well now I'm left with the scars of my carelessness from geting moles removed. I've had many scares with melanoma, thankfully nothing positive. My biggest regret is not wearing sunscreen.

In my opinion, no tan is worth the harm you're doing to your skin and uping your risk for skin cancer.

Taylor11 · April 2012

doggylovr:
Really you should never use tanning beds... There is no way I would do it while pg.... Your own vanity will have to be set aside

This. I haven't gotten into one in yrs b/c it is so dangerous and not worth risking cancer. Everyone I know now does spray tanning. Looks SO much better than people who fake bake IMO, and my OB said fine to do pregnant. I did mystic (sugarcane based) many times pregnant w/DD. I will do the same this go round. I would really rethink what you are doing, pregnant or not, for your own well being.

happilyeverafterxo · April 2012

ks3pink:
Honestly I am offended that you have been TTC for 10 months and don't want to make sacrifices for your baby. I remembered your name from TTGP and wsas excited to see you here but was shocked to read the question. Stay out of the tanning bed and be careful of the sun as you will burn easier. One summer without is not the end of the world.

Yes I agree. I remember you got flamed a few different times on TTGP for asking silly things, and this just takes the cake.

Please don't fake bake. I'm sure you are beautiful without looking like a fried Oompa Loompa.

ks3pink · April 2012

happilyeverafterxo:
ks3pink:
Honestly I am offended that you have been TTC for 10 months and don't want to make sacrifices for your baby. I remembered your name from TTGP and wsas excited to see you here but was shocked to read the question. Stay out of the tanning bed and be careful of the sun as you will burn easier. One summer without is not the end of the world.
I agree. I remember you got flamed a few different times on TTGP for asking silly things, and this just takes the cake.
Please don't fake bake. I'm sure you are beautiful without looking like a fried Oompa Loompa.

So she is the one I am thinking of with the crazy questions!

sweetteaBV · April 2012

doggylovr:
Really you should never use tanning beds... There is no way I would do it while pg.... Your own vanity will have to be set aside

I agree with this! I'd rather not pay loads of money to get wrinkles and cancer, much less possibly risk harm to my child. Professional spray tans can be surprisingly good these days. I'd stick to that.

MarriedInAFever · April 2012

The entire time I was reading the OP, I was just shaking my head.

Answer? NO.

billiencorey · April 2012

I hope its safe.... i just got burnt like crazy just fishing... i never get burnt.. :0

billiencorey · April 2012

I WOULD NEVER LAY IN TANNING BEDS AKA OVER HEATED COFFINS

ps.. id rather get a natural tan and not stay out in the sun for long periods of time. and i tried tanning in a bed once in my life, and laid down to close the top of the bed and got right back up lol felt like a coffin. horrifying

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · April 2012

Why do it in the first place? You are dramatically increasing your risk of skin cancer, why? To look like you rolled around in a bag of Doritos?

I can understand getting a tan on vacation (hell, I'll be doing so in a couple of weeks), but I don't get tanning beds at all, unless you have a skin condition that can be drastically improved with tanning (such as some forms of excema, etc.) - & then only in the least effective increments, with a doctor's supervision & sunscreen on unaffected areas.

ETA: The tan I will be getting on vacation will be despite SPF 55 sunscreen. I never go out on the beach without it.

bobbyme · April 2012

beccs98:
Yeah, add me to team "Don't go in a tanning bed ever".

same. also, tanning increases your risk of melanoma by quite a bit. I think I read 75% in a Vogue article yesterday. It is just stupid, especially when pregnant.

Angel0423 · April 2012

https://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/a-death-by-suntan-at-age-26-1227159.html?fb_action_ids=383176688382661&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_ref=type%3Aread%2Cuser%3A_uRSvHLWyhcCnPrEOfFDefUIWxc&fb_source=other_multiline&code=AQCzBmn5qfwe_thRNTjTO2WN9jHxQaxyYCcnNdf8Ne6WksqUOO40kz5I8RRaDfE98_OY7AZpYCslmAcCeh3GpQ9Img4zEgA2315KLhyA-rvbS0xYg62DcPQxSPvxPFpG1vJt7VYMGry4haix4fE0od1MXhJaIYzWHLcSbwvEulL2Q9R3qn_KAMOoq5nDPK-G85Q#_=

it's just not smart for you.

sassafras007 · April 2012

I don't want to die of skin cancer so I stay out of the sun as much as possible.

allisonmarie22 · April 2012

I go to the tanning bed when I'm not pregnant. I go once a week for no more than 5-7 minutes. I haven't stepped foot anywhere near a tanning bed since I started TTC. I am so pale it's disgusting, but I don't care. No way I'd risk my babies. However, when I finish breast feeding (or possibly before depending on how my Vitamin D levels are and if my doctor says it's ok) I will start going back.

Skip the tanning bed. Trust me...you won't die if you go one summer without a tan.

pickle82 · April 2012

Whether white skin is considered disgusting or not, tanning is just unsafe for you all around. Here in Oregon we tax it the same as cigs and booze. Op, just nourish every part of your body right now. Lots of healthy food, vitamins, rest and H2o. Stay cool and avoid the tanning beds.

I was really fortunate to walk away healthy from melanoma, and I would be a complete a$$hole not to advocate against the use of tanning beds. I will forever liok at my skin's health differently. I have to, in order to stay ahead of future melanoma. I watched a 26 y-o woman die with a 6 month old baby.

Please don't earn your wisdom on this subject the hard way.

AliciaS1411 · April 2012

I tanned a total of 4 times before my wedding, and I felt sick after each session. I can't do it.

That being said- When I went in for the first time I had to sign a waver saying that I wasn't pregnant, and there was a disclaimer at the bottom that said if the info on the pregnancy claim was found to be false, that the salon could not be help responsible for resulting "damage to the fetus". WHY would that be on the paper work if it were "safe"?

I don't give a *** what you do to your body when you're not pregnant, but do NOT expose your unborn child to a tanning bed. Seriously.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · April 2012

allisonmarie22:
I go to the tanning bed when I'm not pregnant. I go once a week for no more than 5-7 minutes. I haven't stepped foot anywhere near a tanning bed since I started TTC. I am so pale it's disgusting, but I don't care. No way I'd risk my babies. However, when I finish breast feeding (or possibly before depending on how my Vitamin D levels are and if my doctor says it's ok) I will start going back.
Skip the tanning bed. Trust me...you won't die if you go one summer without a tan.

Pale is not disgusting. It's healthy. You were born with your complexion for a reason. Embrace it.

jennypasadena · April 2012

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines:
allisonmarie22:
I go to the tanning bed when I'm not pregnant. I go once a week for no more than 5-7 minutes. I haven't stepped foot anywhere near a tanning bed since I started TTC. I am so pale it's disgusting, but I don't care. No way I'd risk my babies. However, when I finish breast feeding (or possibly before depending on how my Vitamin D levels are and if my doctor says it's ok) I will start going back.
Skip the tanning bed. Trust me...you won't die if you go one summer without a tan.
Pale is not disgusting. It's healthy. You were born with your complexion for a reason. Embrace it.

Yeah, really. I stay out of the sun and have no wrinkles. I am 36 and people generally think I am in my mid-twenties. Those of you who are tan now will look 45 by the time you are 35. Why do you want disgusting leathery skin?

golomboc · April 2012

Definitely don't tan in a tanning bed, sun rays are different and w/ spf are ok.... to avoid the paleness, purchase some "tan towels" can keep your glow until you can spend some time in the sun.

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