Is Airbrush Tanning Safe While Pregnant?

Types of Airbrush Tans

• Airbrush tans are a form of fake tanning, but there are lots of different kinds of fake tanning products. Airbrush tans are put on at a beauty salon or tanning salon. These come in the form of spray-tan machines such as Mystic Tan or tans that are sprayed on you by a person from a small hand-held sprayer. Self-tanners are lotions or creams that you can apply yourself by hand. The active ingredient in both of these is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a three-carbon sugar that causes a chemical reaction with the amino acids in the surface cells of the skin causing it to darken.

Effects on Skin

• Since the DHA affects the first layer of the skin only, the sugar-based chemical is not absorbed into the body and cannot reach the fetus. Thus it should be safe to use as long as the chemical does not penetrate the skin and as long as absorption does not occur. Because skin can be more sensitive during pregnancy, be sure to test spray a small area of skin prior to tanning the entire body.

History of DHA

• DHA has been used in cosmetics since the 1960s. No problems have been reported regarding DHA being absorbed by the body. According to the American Pregnancy Association, "the only concern is whether the active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), is able to penetrate the skin. Studies do not confirm that it can, but some health care providers encourage women to wait until after the first trimester, just to play it safe."

Use Caution When Getting an Airbrush Tan

• If you choose to have an airbrush tanning session, then you should be careful of the fumes. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth, or avoid breathing in the fumes. You should ask your doctor's opinion prior to getting an airbrush tan. You'll also want to get your tan in a well ventilated area.

Benefits

• The nutrients added to some airbrush tanners can be beneficial for the skin and help a pregnant woman's skin remain nourished and elastic as the body stretches. Also, most tanning places suggest you use an after-tan lotion or moisturizing cream that is loaded with even more vitamins and nutrients, which further helps the skin.

Warnings

• Because there are no definite conclusions regarding whether airbrush tanning is or isn't safe for pregnant women, you should consult your doctor if you have questions and make the choice yourself. There are no legal claims you can make should something actually happen to your unborn baby.

Misconceptions

• It is often thought that all sunless tanning is the same. Tanning beds, however, are not safe for pregnant women because of the intense heat and the harm that increased heat can have on the developing fetus. Raised body temperatures can be very dangerous to a baby, so tanning beds should be avoided completely.