Can you spray tan when pregnant? Tanning, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding is a joyful time for many, but it can also be hard. Bursting out of maternity jeans or struggling to love a postpartum body can often be made just a little better with a bit of self care- a great way for your customer to de-stress and get to know their new curves. But can you spray tan when pregnant? A tan is a quick fix that can do wonders, but during such a sensitive time it’s important to be informed so that you can help your client make the best and safest decision for them.

If your client has the urge to treat themselves to a bronzing session, but they’re worried about which option is safest, spray tans should be the number one on their list.

Although it might be tempting to jump on a sunbed, the risks of developing skin cancer should make this a total no-go option. It’s also important to remember that overheating can cause dehydration and distress for both the baby and the person carrying the baby, in addition to the terrifying possibility of scorched nipples and/or breasts- OUCH!

So, can you spray tan when pregnant? YES!

Good quality, professional spray tan solutions (like our Eden Tanning Solutions) are non toxic, and only penetrate the very top layer of the skin. Here’s how it works:

Spray tan uses DHA as its active ingredient. It’s naturally derived from plants such as sugar cane, raspberries or beetroot (doesn’t sound bad, does it?) Eden Tanning Solutions also use erythrulose to boost colour and help results last for longer, and you’ll be pleased to know this is also extracted from the same natural sources!

The DHA and/or erythrulose react with amino acids in the skin and stimulate melanoidin production, which then creates that gorgeous bronze colour your clients are so crazy about!

Checklist:

It’s important to stress that the solution is non toxic and only penetrates the upper layer of skin, so there is no risk of affecting an unborn baby or of breastmilk contamination. The only possible issues for customers might be inhalation of the mist when they are being sprayed, or skin reactions due to increased sensitivity when hormones are fluctuating. However, in order to avoid potential mishaps or discomfort, here’s a couple of things you can do, and other things to talk to your client about:

Provide a Tips & Tricks guide to help your client prepare their skin and maintain their tan
Make sure the room is well ventilated, and possibly offer a face mask or nose plugs to avoid inhalation (especially if the client has asthma)
Conduct a patch test a couple of weeks before the appointment to check for skin sensitivity
If the client is experiencing physical discomfort (from normal pregnancy or postpartum issues) offer them a chair for a break whenever necessary
If breastfeeding, consider using nipple covers, applying barrier cream to nipples or wearing a bikini top
If possible, suggest trying to time the appointment straight after the baby feeds or having a bottle of expressed milk to hand to minimise the likelihood of interruption/ transferring tanning solution onto the baby
After spraying and once the solution has dried (just a few minutes or less) ask the customer to wear a loose, long sleeved nursing top to stop transfer onto the baby
Once the tan has been rinsed off after the development time, it is still important to either wear long sleeved tops or to have a muslin in between the customer’s bare skin and the baby, as sweat could cause colour transfer