Are Tanning Beds Safe During Pregnancy?

Is tanning beds safe during pregnancy?

Avoid — overheating plus UV exposure aren’t worth the risk. Use self-tanner instead. In short, tanning beds is best avoided during pregnancy when you follow the guidance below.

The reasoning behind it

In pregnancy, activities are weighed on three things: the risk of a fall or abdominal impact, the chance of overheating, and how hard your heart and joints are working as your body changes. Staying active is healthy — it is specific risks, not movement itself, that matter.

Safer alternatives

It's wise to set tanning beds aside until after pregnancy. There's almost always a lower-risk way to get the same benefit — a gentler version that avoids the fall, impact, or overheating risk. Your provider can suggest a good substitute for your stage.

What about breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding guidance for tanning beds isn't always the same as pregnancy guidance — what passes into breast milk differs from what crosses the placenta. If you're nursing, ask your provider about tanning beds specifically.

The bottom line

Tanning beds: best avoided in pregnancy. When in doubt, choose a safer alternative and ask your provider. This page is general education, not medical advice — your provider knows your history and is the final word for your pregnancy.