Pregnancy/eye protection???

[SunspotTanningSalon]

What is the definitive answer to the questions of pregnant women tanning and whether closing one's eye's is enough to justify the not wearing of eye protection?

[Chippp]

Wownot using goggles!Thats is bad news.

[Amy E. Hamaker]

Pregnant women tanning: Generally, there is no medical evidence that I'm aware of that says that UV will harm a mother or unborn child. The problem could come from the heat of the tanning session, especially during the first trimester. Some salons don't allow pregnant women to tan to be on the safe side, some will allow them to tan with a doctor's release.Closing eyes: The skin of the eyelids is ABSOLUTELY NOT thick enough to protect the eyes from UV radiation. The damage to the eyes can be subtle and perhaps not even hurt, but is the possible loss of vision really worth not wearing eyewear?Hope this helps!--Amy E. Hamaker, editorToday's Image magazine ;-)

[Chippp]

Amy well said.We allow Pregnant women to tan have for 18 years.Not many have wanted to, It could be due to "body image". "we live in a sick world"Pregnant women are more sun sensitive it has to do with the need for vitamin D for mother and child!Its a good thing We are not supposed to tell you this, but exposure to uvb is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D.As tanning salon operators we can't make medical claims as to health benifits.So tell her to take it short and slow, and I agree use a cooler tanning unit. Over heating is not good for anyone.We will do full refund for any pregnant women no questions asked if they want it.The only concern is exposure to the electrical fields all electrical equipment emit. No one knows if it bad for you, not enough studies done.It would be like the concern of working on a computer with its electrical fields, each day, could it be good or bad for you or your baby, we just don't know.

[BOBER96]

Let me tackle the eyewear issue first:Absolutely you should wear eyewear! The skin of the eyelids is an extremely thin skin and only keeps out about 25% of the UV. There is a lot of different eye damage that can be caused from not wearing UV protective eyewear...cataracts, blindness, loss of night vision, etc. Don't risk it!Speaking of risks....the pregnant woman issue again. I am sorry, but I strongly disagree with allowing pregant woman to tan in a salon. According to my ob/gyn, the UV (as Amy stated) is not the factor for such a decision, but the heat is! It takes a very small amount of time for a mothers core body temperature to climb to a rate that could cause harm to the fetus. For this same reason you are also told to not use hot tubs, saunas, etc. One also must look at the possibilty of a pregnant woman losing her balance getting out of a bed, feeling light headed, etc and falling! If that woman has a miscarriage, pre term labor or some other complication, YOU will be liable. People in todays society are far to eager to sue and our industry has enough bad press, I certainly don't want to be the headline!

[FOREVERTAN]

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE. GOGGLES SHOULD BE WORN NO MATTER WHAT. THE EYELIDS ARE TOO THIN TO PROTECT FROM UV LIGHT. PEOPLE EVEN THINK TANNING WITH A TOWEL OVER THEIR EYES WILL HELP--GUESS WHAT IT WON'T!!! IF PEOPLE WANT TO TAN UNDER THEIR EYES TRY USING A MAKEUP BRONZER. THAT'S WHAT I DO AND IT BLENDS IN WITH MY TAN PERFECTLY. PEOPLE THINK THAT NOT WEARING GOGGLES WON'T HURT THEIR EYES-WELL MAYBE NOT NOW BUT IN A FEW YEARS TO COME THEY COULD HAVE MAJOR EYE DAMAGE--SO LET'S BE SAFE ALL AND PLEASE WEAR GOGGLES.

[BOBER96]

IST did a recent article about eye wear (good article....not just because I was in it). I have damaged my night vision severly due to lack of eyewear. Years ago when I first started tanning, nobody enforced or even required eyewear. Therefore, I did not wear it and have suffered damage because of it. That is why I am a stickler for it in my salon! You should be too!!

[Chippp]

for more then 30 years in Canada goggle warnings have been used With sun tanning lamps.We have always provided goggles for the 18 yearswe have been in business. We have new clients sign an instruction form that warns of the need for goggles, that with out them they could damage their eyes. A sign is posted on every booth near the on/off button, teeling them to wear goggles.

[Bronze Star]

I'm glad the issue of eyewear is being addressed. I plan on not allowing anyone to tan without it and eyewear will NOT be shared for health reasons. They can either purchase goggles or the disposable eye coverings through me or supply their own suitable eye cover. HOWEVER!!! My business partner disagrees with me on this point because she doesn't wear any! I just found this out last night as we were going over our business plan together. Where can I get medical/documented backup online to support this? The bad part is, she's a nurse!! Please help!Laurie

[BOBER96]

Laurie,ANY eye doctor will tell you the adverse effects of not weating eyewear! Yikes! You can most certainly find info also at www.smarttan.com or www.naatso.org You must insist that your clients wear it! We do not provide it, but do have it available for purchase. We offer several kinds to suit any taste/budget. If your partner won't push this point, it is asking for trouble. Years ago when I tanned at a salon (prior to opening one), nobody told me to wear eyewear, therefore I didn't. I since have severly damaged my night vision and need to wear glasses to drive at night. I think it goes without saying what a stickler I am about eyewear requirements in my salon. We also require clients to sign a clipboard everytime they tan that explains the eyewear procedure and requirements. Stick to your guns...this is an extremely important point.