If I normally get sunburnt can I spray tan?

Yes! I personally have always burned in the sun and take wonderful to sunless tanning. BUT, you should not get a spray tan when you have a sunburn, the spray tan will peel right off. *Please note that the sunless tan does not contain sunscreen and that you can still burn on top of a spray tan so please use sunscreen. No sunscreen oils.

 What products will make the tan last longer?

I will educate you during our session on tips to caring for and maintaining your tan. However, you are responsible for doing the right things on your end as well to get the best results from the spray tan session.

You should refrain from bar soaps (especially Dove), moisturize a minimum of 2x a day and drink a lot of water.

Soaps and many body lotions contain SLS and drying alcohols that will strip and fade the tan. Using cheap drugstore products can cause blotching and bad fading.

I also have tan extenders that are specifically formulated to keep the tan looking fresh.

 How long will the color last?

The tan should last anywhere from 4-9+ days. The longevity is going to vary from person to person. It will depend on the your hormones, skin PH and how well you follow pre tan prep and post tan care. It will also depend on your level of activity ( sports etc) and how well you take care of the tan.

 How long until the color develops?

You will see instant color due to the cosmetic bronzer however the actual tan takes 9-12 hours to fully develop. With the standard tan option you cannot sweat or get wet until that time or you risk washing off the spray tan! With the express tan option you will rinse in 1-4 hours (determined by me) but full color still takes 9-12 hours to fully develop and color for both will continue to darken over the next 24 hours.

 What should I wear to my spray tan session?

It is recommended that you wear a dark colored swimsuit or undergarments. The tanning solution will wash off but in some cases can stain light colored garments.

 How does spray tanning work?

The active ingredient is DHA (dihydroxyacetone) and is approved by the FDA for external use. It is the active ingredient in all self-tanners.

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is derived from sugar beets or cane sugar and is a key active ingredient for natural self-tanners. The skin-browning effect is the result of a nontoxic chemical reaction between DHA and the amino acids which are part of the keratinous layer of the skin’s surface, much like the browning effect in food caramelization. The resulting color is called melanoidins, similar in color to the melanins our bodies produce naturally when exposed to UV rays.

DHA creates a more natural-looking tan, and fades more evenly, than chemical tanners and is now considered the most effective sunless tanning ingredient. It is also considered the safest form of tanning over chemically-derived self-tanners and sun exposure. The tan will fade gradually over the course of 3-10 days..

Origin: Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is obtained by the fermentation of certain sugars, like sugar cane and beet sugars.

 How should I prep for my session?

You should exfoliate 24 hours prior to the session. You should NOT exfoliate the day of as the product can create a skin barrier affecting the outcome of the tan. Exfoliation is important so the skin can be an even canvas and will help the tan last longer.

You should do any shaving or waxing at least 24 hours before the session. If you shave right before or wax right before it can leave a barrier and cause streaking and patches on the legs.

Pedicures should be done the day before the spray tan session.  If it is done right before the massage oils will cause a problem with the tan. If a pedicure is done after the spray tan it will remove the self-tan from the feet and the massage oil can cause the color to streak. Polish change only is OK as long as no lotion or oil is used.

Do not apply any perfumes, oils or lotions or deodorant to your skin the day of the tan as it can cause developmental issues.

Never shower right before the session. You may think that “clean skin” is good but many soaps, hair conditioners and shower products will leave an invisible film on the skin. This can cause the spray tan to develop patchy or streaky. Showering right before the session will hydrate the skin which means that all of the spray tan solution will not be absorbed. This will result in a lighter color on the client.

Do NOT use Dove soap before or after the tanning session, this always causes development issues.

 Can I use soap?

You should NOT use any commercial bar soaps either prior to the session and afterwards. Especially Dove soap, This is the worst thing to use and will cause the tan to fade and become patchy. It can also leave an invisible film preventing development of the spray tan.  Most times when a client has an issue it is the result of using Dove or a commercial bar soap prior to the session.

Please refrain from any exfoliating soaps or body washes during the duration of your tan.