Solarium for nursing. What to choose while breastfeeding: solarium or self-tanning?

Is it possible to go to a solarium during breastfeeding?

Doctors do not give a clear answer to the question of whether it is possible to go to a solarium during breastfeeding. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the woman’s health condition and the age of the infant.

Absolute contraindications for visiting a solarium during breastfeeding:

• skin diseases;
• allergic reaction to UV rays;
• neoplasms on the body;
• inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
• complications of lactation – mastitis, lactostasis;
• severe diseases of the lower respiratory system;
• diabetes;
• taking certain medications.

Breastfeeding on your own is not a reason to avoid tanning in a solarium. However, the procedure may not be as useful as it seems at first glance. Before visiting a solarium during breastfeeding, it is recommended to consult a doctor and make sure there are no contraindications. You should get artificial tanning no earlier than 4-6 months after giving birth.

Solarium during breastfeeding - should I skip feedings or express?

When breastfeeding, you can go to the solarium without fear that artificial rays will spoil the milk. To reduce the negative impact of tanning on the mammary glands, it is recommended to wear a wide swimsuit made of thick dark fabric.

Traditionally, during tanning in a solarium, the nipples are covered with special covers, and the epidermis of the mammary gland is exposed to artificial rays. It is not recommended to do this during lactation. It is necessary to remember the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation and try to hide your breasts as much as possible. There is no need to pump or skip feedings after the procedure.

Effect of sunscreen on breast milk

Solarium during breastfeeding requires the use of protective equipment. The choice of cosmetic product must be approached responsibly. You should not give preference to unfamiliar brands that may cause allergies.

The optimal means for protecting the skin from ultraviolet radiation are baby creams and aerosols. You should choose a product that would suit your infant. In this case, the risk of negative effects on milk will be minimal.

After tanning in a solarium, before the next breastfeeding, you must thoroughly wash your breasts. Do not allow cosmetic products to get into the child’s mouth.

Rules for visiting a solarium for nursing mothers

To make your visit to the solarium as safe as possible, follow a few rules:

• All large moles need to be covered with special stickers; they should be issued by the salon. If after the procedure any moles have increased in size, be sure to consult a dermatologist or oncologist;
• nipples must be protected from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The best option is to go to the solarium in a tight bra;
• Before the procedure, drink half a liter of water, and after it - another 300 ml. This is necessary so that lactation does not stop due to lack of water;
• Use sunscreen designed specifically for tanning beds. Choose a product without a strong odor, and after the procedure, rinse off the residue thoroughly so that the baby does not refuse to latch on to the breast;
• After tanning, apply moisturizer to the skin to restore water balance;
• you need to stay in the cabin for no more than 5 minutes;
• Before visiting the solarium, ask the administration how long ago the lamps were changed. The organization must provide documentation of replacement and inspection of lamps. If they burn for more than 1000 hours, then it is unsafe to be under them.

Is it possible to sunbathe in the sun while breastfeeding?

Sun tanning during breastfeeding is not contraindicated. On the contrary, while sunbathing, a nursing mother receives vitamin D, a substance that is usually in short supply. A child needs vitamin D for proper bone growth. A nursing mother passes this substance through breast milk. To compensate for the lack of an important vitamin, skin contact with the sun's rays is necessary.

Is it possible to sunbathe during breastfeeding in the sun? Experts answer this question in the affirmative. However, they make a reservation when talking about the rules of sunbathing - safe time, protection and subsequent skin care.

How to protect your breasts from the sun?

If a woman is allergic to the sun, during breastfeeding it is necessary to protect her body as much as possible. If negative reactions to UV rays have not been detected in the past, using high-filter sunscreens is sufficient. It is better to choose cosmetics intended for children. Such creams are as safe as possible for women with breastfeeding and do not cause an allergic reaction.

It is necessary to apply sunscreen to the chest in such a way as to prevent the cosmetic from getting into the baby's mouth. If the mammary gland has been treated up to the areola, after sunbathing it is necessary to wash it with soap.

A wide swimsuit will help protect your chest from the sun. You can use various capes on the shoulders, which also cover the décolleté area. To avoid burns, you should sunbathe for no more than 30-40 minutes in the morning and evening hours. It is recommended to use sun umbrellas and stay in the shade when the sun is hot.

Benefit

Both natural and artificial sunlight in moderate amounts provide the following benefits to the body:

• Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the body synthesizes vitamin D, which is necessary for the growth and strength of the musculoskeletal system.
• Sun rays are necessary for the production of important hormones, such as endorphin, which is responsible for a great mood and well-being.
• Metabolic processes and blood circulation improve, stable operation of important organs and systems is established.
• The sun's rays have the ability to treat certain types of skin diseases, such as psoriasis.

What is better, a solarium or sunbathing while breastfeeding?

There is no fundamental difference between tanning in a solarium and sunbathing. Both types of exposure to the skin have advantages and disadvantages. A comparative analysis will allow a woman to choose independently which option is more optimal for her:

• tanning in a solarium takes less time than sunbathing;
• while sunbathing in the sun, you can simultaneously relax, swim in a pond and do other pleasant things;
• the cost of a procedure in a solarium is higher than tanning in the sun;
• You can sunbathe in the sun together with your child, the main thing is to protect the baby’s delicate skin from direct rays;
• In a solarium, you can control the intensity of UV radiation, which the sun does not allow you to do.

The negative effects of ultraviolet radiation in a solarium and under direct scorching sun are approximately the same. If we talk about the harm to breastfeeding, then there is no serious difference between these procedures. It should be remembered that tanning in a solarium and in the sun increases the risk of developing tumors on the skin. Especially often, new moles and age spots appear during simultaneous unstable hormonal levels - during breastfeeding.

What harm can artificial tanning cause?

The rays that lamps produce after the expiration date (1000 hours) can negatively affect the condition of the skin. The reason for this is the increase in radiation aggressiveness. Such processes lead to burns and activate the division of cancer cells. When visiting a solarium, it is important not to be shy about asking for documents that indicate the suitability of ultraviolet lamps. In total, they should be changed every 3-4 months.

The radiation from solarium lamps promotes the development of age spots, neoplasms, moles, and other skin defects. The skin becomes dehydrated and milk production decreases. During lactation, the skin loses its elasticity faster and begins to age.

During pregnancy and lactation, hormonal levels change, and therefore it is difficult to predict how artificial rays of the sun can affect a woman’s body. The risk of cancer increases significantly.

If there are problems with the breasts - mastopathy, cracks, pain, hardening, then a solarium can worsen the disease and lead to serious problems.

A solarium for a nursing mother can be harmful if an infection enters the woman’s body, which carries double danger due to contamination of the milk that the baby drinks.

Who went to the solarium while breastfeeding?

Reviews about visiting a solarium while breastfeeding can be found very different. Most new mothers who know about the dangers of ultraviolet radiation are afraid of this procedure and give a lot of reasons in favor of giving up tanning.

Women who are not particularly afraid of the harmful effects of rays and are more willing to get a beautiful body decide to tan. Going to a solarium while breastfeeding is not as dangerous as it might seem at first glance. It is important to choose the most gentle modes when setting up the lamp, use protective equipment and carry out the procedure for no more than 2-3 minutes.

Women who visited the solarium during breastfeeding talk about the benefits of this procedure. Since a small child does not allow sunbathing and going to resorts, the solarium has become a real salvation. Just a few minutes per session makes the skin golden and attractive. With the help of tanning, you can smooth out scars, disguise stretch marks and visually tighten the skin. Reviews from women say that a solarium during breastfeeding helped them not only transform their appearance, but also had a beneficial effect on their internal state - it added optimism, increased self-esteem and improved their mood.

Experts do not prohibit tanning during breastfeeding, but they also do not promote it. When deciding to acquire a chocolate skin tone, you need to approach the procedure wisely and responsibly. It should be remembered that women with neoplasms in the pelvic cavity, endometriosis and varicose veins should not sunbathe.

Types of solarium

Before visiting a solarium, a woman should understand its types. The quality and speed of obtaining the desired result depend on this. Solariums are classified according to two criteria:

• device design;
• its purpose.

Depending on the design there are:

1. Horizontal solarium. Tanning is obtained in a lying position. The lamps diffuse light evenly, but have low efficiency. A session in a horizontal solarium lasts 10-20 minutes. This type is not suitable for people with a fear of confined spaces or who experience discomfort from insufficient hygiene of the bottom glass of the device.
2. Vertical. These installations are equipped with more powerful lamps. They are compact and not as expensive as horizontal ones. In this case, the risk of contact with glass is minimal, but the tan on the upper part of the body is more intense than on the lower part.
3. Turbo solarium. This is a vertical solarium with additional features (audio system, hydromassage, fans, timers, lifts, etc.), which can have pink, blue or green radiation. A session in such a solarium lasts about 8 minutes.
4. Sedentary. This is a device with powerful lamps that allows you to quickly get the desired tan in certain parts of the body (face, décolleté, arms, neck, etc.) while sitting.

Sedentary

Turbo

Horizontal

Vertical
According to the purpose of the device, there are:

1. Homemade. This equipment is for home use. It does not have the same high-quality and durable components as studio devices. Ultraviolet radiation in home tanning salons is not very intense.
2. Studio. Designed for professional tanning. They can work around the clock and have various functions for the convenience of visitors. Installed in beauty salons, fitness clubs and health centers.

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