CUSTOMER QUESTION:
Are Self Tanners, and spray tans, safe while Pregnant or Breast Feeding?
ANSWER:
Self tanners, or their individual ingredients (which are the same as those used in standard over the counter drugstore cosmetics, makeup products, skincare lotions and treatments) have not been shown to cause harm in historical use in pregnant or breast feeding mothers, or in their offspring.
There is normally no contraindication for their use in healthy clients.
However, You may not be aware of individual concerns specific to your clients individual health needs.
For this reason, Before spraying a pregnant or breast feeding client, we always recommend you receive approval from the client’s medical caregiver first.
For your peace of mind, always use nasal filters and adequate ventilation, eye protection, and lip balm or barrier cream on lip surfaces, and protective undergarments with pregnant or lactating clients.
All of the ingredients used in all of our products have been tested, approved and rated as appropriate for skin care and cosmetic use, in healthy individuals, by the appropriate regulation agencies in the USA and Europe.
All of our products are approved for worldwide use, and importation, and meet all safety, purity, and formulation requirements necessary for standard cosmetic use and importation.
We use cosmetic safe grade DHA in products, and use other natural and or organic, ingredients when available, as well as skin safe purified/refined synthetic ingredients. All products are paraben free.
Dihydroxyacetone or DHA has recently been reviewed by the European Commission’s independent expert scientific committee (the SCCS), which advises the European Commission on scientific matters, and the safety of cosmetic ingredients. The SCCS looked at data to support the use of DHA in cosmetic formulations.
The SCCS addressed the question of the product possibly being inhaled from self-tan sprays, and says “that the use of dihydroxyacetone as a self-tanning ingredient will not pose a risk to the health of the consumer”. This was based on formulas up to the DHA 14% level in consumer application and booths.
As well as this endorsement on the safety of DHA itself from the SCCS, it is important to stress that in Europe and in the USA, the manufacture and import of all cosmetic products are covered by strict safety laws. There is a legal requirement that every cosmetic product must undergo a strict safety assessment before it is placed on the market. This is regulated.
Self-tanning agents, and all other ingredients used in our products, have not been contraindicated for use with pregnant or lactating clients as a skin application product, because they do not appear to penetrate past the dead skin cell surface layer, nor into live tissues or the blood stream. Or if so, only in very minute amounts. Any amounts that may reach inner tissues, are easily and quickly removed by the body’s natural filter and waste removal systems without causing harm.
There have been no indications that self tanners are unsafe for clients or their children when used in a correct manner. Self tanning ingredients have been used in the consumer market since the early 1960’s – with a long and safe historical use.
Inhalation issues should be a consideration, especially with breastfeeding, pregnancy, or clients with any type of respiratory concerns.
This is because products can be absorbed differently through the sinus cavity , and mucous membranes. It is also more common for pregnant or breast feeding clients to have increased sensitivity to different ingredients, or fragrances, compared to when they are not pregnant.
For this reason, protection of these areas, along with genitals and lips is recommended for general “common sense” safety.
Some individual medical caregivers prefer their clients avoid all skin care products, hair dyes, and cosmetics within the first trimester, as a simple “better safe then sorry approach”, even though no specific problem has been documented.
Current FDA suggested use recommends the use of nasal filters, lip protection, eye protection, and protective undergarments for all clients.
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