If you see something abnormal, schedule a visit with your dermatologist because they can follow pregnancy-specific guidelines to ensure safe care.īelow, top dermatologists answer your biggest questions around sunscreen that’s safe to use during pregnancy. “For individuals who have a history of skin cancer, especially melanoma, they should not forgo their annual exam,” Dr. It's also important to schedule your annual skin cancer screening. Thomas recommends avoiding the sun during peak hours (usually 12 to 4 p.m.), wearing sun-protective clothing and seeking shade to prevent skin cancer. Sunscreen is a great help for protecting your body from harmful UV rays, but it’s just one part of a comprehensive approach. “As long as the individual is careful not to inhale sunscreen sprays during application, sprays may be used during pregnancy,” she adds. When it comes to the delivery method, lotion, cream, liquid and gel sunscreens are all safe to use while pregnant, according to explains Valencia Thomas, M.D., a professor of dermatology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “That includes titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.” “I think for anyone who is concerned, especially about the organic sunscreens that have systemic absorption, the recommendation is a using mineral sunscreen,” says Dr. It’s understandable that people who are pregnant may be more cautious about what they put in and on their bodies. Wang, M.D., chair of The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Photobiology Committee and Chief of Dermatologic Oncology & Dermatologic Surgery at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California. Yes! “Sunscreen is generally regarded as very safe and effective in protecting against skin cancer,” says Steven Q. Is it safe to use sunscreen while pregnant? While there are certain ingredients in cosmetics you should avoid when you’re pregnant ( like retinol), there’s not much in sunscreens that’s off limits.

Fortunately, choosing a pregnancy-safe sunscreen isn’t hard. It's important to do everything you can to prevent UV rays from harming your skin. The need for sun protection doesn’t go away when you're pregnant.

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