Can I tan while I’m pregnant?

Make sure to stay cool!

Most of the precautions about sunlight exposure are the same whether or not you’re pregnant: Tan cautiously using lotions of SPF 30 or higher, stay hydrated and keep exposure to short, consistent sessions.

There are just a few extra considerations to keep in mind if you’re pregnant. An expectant mother’s skin is often more sensitive to light, so it may be more susceptible to hives or heat rash, and UV rays might even deepen the dark patches of skin called melasma that sometimes appear on the face during pregnancy. Also bear in mind that overheating is unhealthy for both mother and baby, so take extra steps to ensure that your body temperature does not stay elevated for long. If you’re unsure or worried about these effects, limit your exposure to a few minutes at a time and make sure your skin stays cool.