Can I get a spray tan during pregnancy?

Is morning sickness, nausea and exhaustion bringing you down?

Why not boost your mood, warm up your complexion and add a radiant glow to your skin with a fake tan?

Tanning during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is safe because the active ingredient in tanning solution (DHA) is non-toxic. DHA is a colourless sugar that darkens the uppermost layer of the skin by interacting¬†with the proteins and amino acids on the epidermis. It isn’t absorbed further into the skin so it won’t harm your baby.

Tanning lotions are ideal because you have full control the depth of your colour. However, a salon spray tan can feel easier, especially during the later stages of pregnancy when it becomes trickier to manoeuvre and apply the product to all areas of the body. Professional salons also have powerful extractor fans that remove any overspray from the air, preventing you from breathing in any airborne particles of solution.

We’d advise that you don’t use tanning products during the first trimester of your pregnancy because hormone changes can make the skin more sensitive than¬†usual. This common precaution¬†is true for all sorts of other beauty products that are applied to the skin too¬†and isn’t an unusual practice.

For extra protection opt for a quick patch test on an inconspicuous area of the body, such as behind the ear, to check for any sensitivities or allergies that have arisen due to a fluctuation of pregnancy hormones. If everything seems fine, go ahead and tan up!