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Tips for Safe Tanning During Pregnancy

The word summer is almost synonymous with the word tanning. The bronzed beauty of the summertime is what we all wish for in the cold and dark winters. However, is tanning safe? And most importantly is it safe while pregnant?

Regardless of whether you are pregnant or not, it is important to remember that increased exposure to the sun puts you at risk for premature aging and skin cancer. However, soaking in the sun in moderation can be relatively safe during pregnancy. Vitamin D is an important vitamin during pregnancy as it can serve as a protectant to diseases and a deterrent to depression while boosting your immune system.

Below is a list of things to remember when tanning while pregnant:

  1. Too much is too much

Be wary when sitting out in the sun. While pregnant you are at an increased chance at getting dehydrated and of getting dizzy and fainting. It is of the utmost importance to keep you and your baby’s health at the forefront of your mind when tanning during the summer. Keep a bottle of water and some fresh fruit next to you for extra hydration and sugar. Remember to wear a hat to prevent the sun from beating down on your head and bringing on one of those infamous pregnancy migraines.

  1. Sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen

It is super important to put on sunscreen even when not pregnant. However, it is even more important to lather on the sunblock when you have a baby bump to cover! Your bump sticks out into the sun differently than your stomach did before pregnancy. As a result of the top of your stomach protruding at a higher height than regularly, it will get sunburned faster.

  1. Be smart about timing

Don’t pick peak UV ray times during the day. Be smart about when you choose to tan. The stronger the UV ray, the higher risk you are for intensive skin damage. The hours between 10:00am and 4:00pm have the highest UV rays.

  1. Prepare for after

We all get drowsy, cranky, dizzy, and very thirsty after laying in the sun for too long. Make sure that you prepare for after your sunning session in order to feel your best. Prepare cold fruit, some starches, and plenty of liquids for your to nourish your body after being parched for so long. Think of the sun as eating up your body liquid, leaving you a little more dry than before. In order to stay healthy, you need to rehydrate constantly.

  1. Be delicate with your skin

If you feel as though your skin feels raw after your sun excursion make sure you are gentle with it. Refrain from taking a scalding shower or burning bath. Make sure to use plenty of aloe vera and remember not to scrub away. Gently massage lotion in and wear loose cotton or linen pajamas that night.

Shoshi S.
Shoshi is a graduate from Stern College for Women in New York City. Her areas of interest include policy, non-profit organizations, and administration. During winter 2018, she was a White House intern. Shoshi has also interned at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles and at Save the Children in New York. As a millennial, Shoshi brings a young and fresh perspective to the worlds of pregnancy and lactation.

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