Do's and Don'ts of Preparing For Your Spray Tan

Do's and Don'ts of Preparing For A Spray Tan!

So, if you are like me you see lists and lists of do's and don'ts on how to prep for your spray tan but you don't fully understand why. Well if we took the time to educate you to help you understood the process of how spray tanning works, the science, then it might make some more sense! Let me give you a lesson before I give you a list and the why's!

Spray Tanning has been around for many many years and just like everything else, it's take years of trial, error and research before we ever get it right! Yes, you used to turn "orange" but that's not the case anymore if your spray tanning technician understands the science behind it all! They are constantly researching means to which get a more natural looking and longer lasting sunless tan, I would say they've done a great job, but like everything, there is always room for improvement.

I'm no expert and am still learning more and more about the science of it all but know enough to explain the basics...so here it goes.

Spray tan solution's main active ingredient is called dihydroxyacetone, but we just call it DHA! It's a natural sugar that reacts with the amino acids in the very very top layer of your skin changing color so you look tan, it takes around 24 hours for your tan to fully develop! This layer of skin is called the Stratum Corneum. Its serves as a protective coating to our body, but as everyone should know, that top layer is constantly shedding and replenishing those lost cells. They say you get a completely new layer every month, So that's why your spray tan fades and eventually disappears quicker than a real tan.

Why is knowing this important? Well, if you understand how it works then you can do a better job prepping your skin and caring for it after your spray tan. It just means that you can have a prettier tan and one that lasts longer!

There are two different tanning options you can chose from: rapid and 8 hour. Rapid tanning solutions contain higher levels of DHA which means it only takes a 2-4 hours for the reactions to occur, it's nice because you get to rinse and go about your day as normal. 8 hour tans contain smaller amounts of DHA (chosen by you and your technician based on your skin type) meaning it takes at least 8 hours for the reaction to occur. Again, both options take 24 hours to fully develop. Meaning your results aren't official until the 24 hour mark!

So, how do you prepare?

24-48 Hours Ahead:

EXFOLIATE

Take the time to exfoliate your skin, to get rid of as many dead skin cells as possible! Exfoliating mitts and sugar scrubs are recommended. I have mitts for sale if interested! click Here!

SHAVE

The best advice I can give is to use a razor without a moisture strip because it can and will create a barrier and you will have weird lines! The problem I've found is there aren't many razors that don't have moisture strips. So either try to peel the strip off your normal razor or exfoliate that area really really well after you use it.

MANI/PEDI

If your getting a mani/pedi, now is the time to do so. If you wait to do this after you are going to lose those tanned cells and have really weird patches on your feet/hands, just sayin!

SUNBURN

Do not! I repeat DO NOT get a spray tan after a sun burn, in fact it should be around 4 weeks after your sunburn that you should get your spray tan. Why? remember how we said that you your body full sheds your stratum corneum every month, this is why! If you tan after you burn you will lose skin cells, you will look blotchy and your tan won't look good.

WASH

Wash with an all natural body wash, something that isn't going to leave a residue on your skin. Dove soap is THE WORST at doing this!

SPA/FACIAL TREATMENTS

Complete these before! Doing these after would cause your tan to be patchy around the treated area, why? You should know by now!!

Day OF:

LOTION/OILS/MAKEUP/DEODORANT

Don't apply any of these the day of, they create a barrier between your skin cells and the tanning solution and could cause discoloration

SHOWER

If you take a shower before do it at least 8 hours before your tan, rinse only, no soaps, scrubs or razors. Rinse in warm, not hot water. Warm water will cause your pores to open and could potentially cause dots all over your skin.

CLOTHING

Wear loose dark colored clothing with open toed shoes. Tight clothing could rub your tan off very easily, the looser the better! Bronzer is the ingredient that gives you that immediate tanned look, however it will come off during your first rinse. It's kind of like the blue/green dye the lawn guys use when spraying weeds in your yard. It does nothing more than serve a guide to be sure you are sprayed evenly. However it has potential to rub off on your clothes and stain them, that's why dark colored clothing comes in handy!

Also, decide what you want to wear or not wear during your spray tanning session. Don't forget the possibility of weird tan lines, if you are wearing undies during your session, make sure you won't regret it when you put your bikini on after! Same goes for tops! You may not want any tan lines and that's ok too!

SUMMER

If its summer time, doing everything you can do avoid sweating or sticking to furniture/car seats is highly recommended. Bring a towel if you have leather seats to sit on after your tan. You might even consider leaving your car running with the A/C going during your session!.

Hope this helps!! Happy Tanning!!