Post Tan Care

 

Spray Tan Care! 

So you've been sprayed and it you are looking super tan! Your ready to take on the world, right? Or not...you've got about 24 hours to babysit your tan and about 7-14 days of maintenance to maintain that bronze perfection! I'm sure you heard your spray tan technical tell you when to rinse and the million do's and don'ts. But did you actually understand it all? Probably not! So here is a little science lesson to help all of this make sense!

The Science Behind Your Tan

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.

Rapid vs. Original Tan

You are your tanning technician probably talked about your tanning options: rapid vs. original and the fact that there are two different rinse times and chose one based on your plans for the day. But what does that actually mean? Well 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!

Processing Time

Like we talked about before, a rapid vs. original tans will impact the time the DHA needs to react with the amino acids in your skin. But what you do while it is processing doesn't really change. My vote is to plan on taking it easy during that time. Here are some tips:

• Loose Clothing/Shoes: Be sure to wear loose clothing and shoes, rubbing will take off the DHA and your tan might be compromised in those areas.
• Rain: If its raining make sure to dress for the occasion. Wear clothes that will keep you covered from head to toe. Loose closed toe shoes are ok to wear and don't forget an umbrella!
• Heat/Summer: When it's hot out, sweating isn't a good thing, make sure to keep cool so you don't sweat and cause runs in your tan.
• Leather Seats: From personal experience I highly recommend putting a towel over your leather seats so solution doesn't come off.
• Kids: Be careful about hugging, rough housing, napping, breast feeding, sleeping with kiddos, your solution could rub off on them or they could rub it off of you.
• Hand Washing: Please wash your hands, but be cautious as to where you get your hands wet if you do.
• Make Up: Don't use it!
• Exercise: Wait, this could cause discoloration between the sweat and rubbing.

First Rinse

You and your spray tan technician will decide on the perfect time to rinse your tan at your appointment. It is extremely important to rinse at the decided time, especially if you chose a rapid tan. Since rapid tans contain higher levels of DHA leaving it on longer than you all had agreed upon may cause you be darker OR it could cause you to turn that awful orangey color you've always heard about! Don't risk it! 

When you do rinse, only rinse with luke warm water. No scrubbing, no shaving, no soaps, nothing more than water! DO NOT freak out when your "tan" starts running down the drain, it's just the bronzer, but make sure your water eventually runs clear! Rinsing just stops the chemical reaction but the tan develops throughout the 24 hours after your session. If you rinsed after a rapid tan, you probably will be the same color you were when you got to your tanning session, DON'T FREAK OUT! The tan will come, just wait about 20 more hours! When getting out of the shower, pat (don't rub) yourself dry with a towel and DO NOT apply any lotions, makeup or anything! Now, are there any questions (Did I use enough capitol words)?

First 24 Hours

After your rinse you may go about your day as normal, with caution! Your tan will continue to darken up until that 24 hour mark. If you don't feel you are dark enough or if problems arise, consult with your spray tan artist 24 hours after your tan so you can come up with a better course of action.

Extending the Life of Your Tan

Here are some things to consider that would help you extend the life of your tan!

Showers

You can shower as normal 24 hours after your spray tan. Not going to lie, I like my showers one step from scalding. However, if you want to maintain your tan, super hot showers aren't good, they are very drying.

Shaving is ok, but make it minimal, it will cause you to lose some of those tanned skin cells every time.

Body washes and Bar Soaps can also be harmful if not using the right ones. Dove soap can be attributed to turning your tan orange, leaves a film on your skin which causes streaking issues and can fade your tan. It also changes the PH in your skin which is extremely important! I recommend using all natural body washes or ones developed specifically for spray tans. Use all bar soaps minimally and don't use dove! Since finding this out I've been using Dr. Brommer's Soaps.

Wash Cloths/Loofahs/Etc: Be careful when using these, they are great for prepping for your tan but could be super abrasive and cause your tan to become spotty or faded much quicker when using them.

Sunscreen

Your spray tan does not prevent you from being impacted (burned) from the harmful UV rays, it doesn't contain a SPF. Wear it! Aerosol based sunscreens could reduce the life your tan because they are drying, try using mineral/cream based sunscreens. Here are some I recommend: Sun Bum, Coola, or Alba Botanical.

Swimming

So swimming isn't necessarily not allowed after your tan, but could cause it to fade quicker. The chlorine could dry your skin out and being submerged for an extended period of time could promote exfoliation. Using the right sunscreen could help with this! See above!

Stay Hydrated

Drink lots of water! Your body needs that extra moisture!

Lotion! Lotion! Lotion!

To extend the life of your tan I HIGHLY recommend the use of a tan extender lotion. I carry a product that contains a small amount of DHA that will keep color on those new skin cells and allow the tan to fade more evenly. You can purchase it here (coming soon). No matter what you decide to purchase use lotion like crazy! If you aren't looking for a tan extender I highly recommend this one: Hempz 

I'm sure I'll have more to add, but that's it for now! Happy tanning!