A Mystic Tan is a spray-on tan usually done in a salon. The Mystic Tan was invented in 1998 and provides a UV-free tan that looks extremely natural. Since pregnant women should avoid the sun, it seams logical to resort to a Mystic Tan. Before embarking on this tanning adventure, the mom to be should consider the risks a Mystic Tan might impose upon her baby.
Ingredients
A pregnant woman should be as concerned by what she puts on her body as what she puts in her body. The ingredients in a Mystic Tan are dihydroxyacetone, cosmetic dye and aloe vera. Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, enables the tan to stay for a long time. The suffix of this chemical is acetone, an ingredient found in fingernail polish remover.
Study on Self-Tanning
A study done in March 2004 by the Food and Drug Administration suggests that 22 percent of the DHA applied during a Mystic Tan is absorbed into the system. The DHA moves through the bloodstream, and possibly through to the placenta.
The Mystery in the Mystic Tan
Mystic Tan does not disclose all of the ingredients in its product. For the sake of competition, the Mystic Tan formula is kept a secret. There is no way at all to know if the Mystic Tan is safe if the ingredients are unknown.
Too Little Information on Mystic Tan and the Human Fetus
There have been no human or animal studies on the effects of DHA on a fetus. Because there is so little known about the effects of Mystic Tan on the fetus, many obstetricians counsel their patients to avoid it until after pregnancy.
Safer Alternatives
If you are pregnant and absolutely must be tan, there are safe ways to do it at home. There are ways to stain your skin using items such as cinnamon or tea to replicate a very natural looking tan. You can also use these methods to achieve the level of tan that you desire.
