I realize the tanning bed is bad for your skin but will it harm the baby I am 5 weeks pregant…does the uv light take away folic acid or not??”
What you’ve heard is true.
UV rays appear to break down folic acid during pregnancy. Folate, also known as B9, is a vitamin that helps you process iron and grow your baby’s brain and spinal cord. Even if you use sunscreen UV rays can still break down folate as well as cause discolorations and increase your risk of skin cancer.
There are other reasons for not using a tanning bed during pregnancy, too. During pregnancy, your skin is more sensitive to sunlight than normal, so it will make your skin age more quickly and quicker to burn. We suggest keeping your normal skin color during pregnancy, or using a sunless tanning lotion or spray. If you try to tan outdoors, keep hydrated, wear a hat, use sunscreen on exposed skin and don’t let yourself get overheated.
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