Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy! If you are eagerly anticipating the arrival of your little one and wondering about the safety of self-tanning both during pregnancy and breastfeeding, rest assured, you have come to the right place. We understand that questions might arise regarding the use of self-tanning products during this time. Our goal is to provide accurate information and help you achieve that radiant pregnancy glow. However, if any concerns linger about the safety of self-tanning, it is always recommended to consult your doctor for personalised guidance.
Understanding self-tan:
Self-tan is designed to give you bronzed, tanning skin without UV exposure. It contains an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone, also known as DHA. DHA reacts with the amino acids in the outermost layer of the skin, producing a brown pigment (colour) called melanoidin.
The safety of self-tan:
DHA is the active ingredient in self-tan and has been proven safe for external use as it absorbs into the skin and does not enter the blood stream, therefore posing no risk to the well-being of your baby. However, if caution arises concerning the inhalation of DHA, notably, self-tanning products obtain significantly lower concentrations of DHA in comparison to spray tanning solutions, where higher concentrations are found. As a result, our recommendation for expectant mothers would be to steer clear of spray tans while pregnant and instead opt for a self-tan mousse for a safer alternative
Patch testing:
We are mindful of the fact that the skin can undergo changes, particularly during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes. This can lead to newfound sensitivities or allergies to substances you have never reacted to before. In this light, we urge you to undergo a patch test each time you apply our tanning products, even if you have used them before. Apply a small amount of tan to an area of skin and leave it for 24-48 hours. This precautionary step helps identify any potential reactions. Should an unfortunate reaction occur, we advise against using the tan and seeking medical advice if there are concerns.
Breast feeding:
When it comes down to breastfeeding, we advise taking precautions to ensure no self-tanning product encounters your baby or is ingested. We recommend refraining from applying self-tanning to the breast or chest areas. Additionally, if you intend to breastfeed your baby shortly after applying self-tan, we understand the challenge this presents, but we suggest ensuring you have thoroughly rinsed off the guide colour beforehand.
So there you have it: you can still have a flawless bronzed tan even when pregnant and breastfeeding. Always remember to contact your GP if you have any questions or are worried about tanning.