We are proud to be among the top industry leaders within the tanning products arena. We have customers all across the country who trust us to deliver the best tanning lotions, body moisturizers, and other tanning essentials. Because of this, we often get questions from people in regards to tanning and health. One we receive quite often is “Is spray tanning safe while pregnant or breastfeeding?” This is really two questions, and we’re going to answer them both right now!
We have very good news for you. Self tanners, as well as their individual ingredients have not been shown to cause harm in historical use in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, or in their babies. In fact, the ingredients in a spray tan are the same as those used in standard over-the- counter drugstore cosmetics, makeup, skincare products, lotions, and other beauty treatments. All of the ingredients used in the products we sell on our website have been tested, approved, and rated as appropriate for skin care and cosmetic use. This means they are acceptable for healthy individuals, and have been deemed so by the appropriate regulation agencies in the USA and Europe.
The active ingredient in most spray tans is DHA. Some self tanners use erythrulose instead or in addition to DHA. Both of these are non toxic. Neither substance can absorb beyond the outermost layer of your skin. This means it cannot contaminate your breast milk or harm your baby.
It’s fine to use spray tans when you’re breastfeeding, but there’s no scientific evidence to show that it’s safe for your baby to ingest any of the spray tan product that’s on the skin on your breast. Rather than take a risk, we recommend you take steps to prevent the product from going on your nipples or any part of your breasts that the baby’s face may rub up against.
Could you breathe it in, though? The question of the product possibly being inhaled from self-tan sprays was investigated and found not to pose a risk. The report says “that the use of dihydroxyacetone as a self-tanning ingredient will not pose a risk to the health of the consumer”.
Self tanning ingredients have been used in the consumer market since the early 1960’s, and with a long and safe historical use. We think getting a spray tan during pregnancy is a wonderful idea! You’re probably not feeling quite like yourself. Your body is changing and your hormones are racing. There’s nothing like a golden brown tan to make you feel like a million bucks, even if you were feeling pretty crummy before. Go ahead and indulge yourself! There’s nothing stopping you from spray tanning at any point during your pregnancy.
We should point out that this is a general guideline only, and not in place of asking a doctor any questions you have about your specific situation. This information may not be 100% accurate for every person. Everyone’s body is different, which means everyone’s pregnancy, breastfeeding experience, and even skin is slightly different as well.
