Tanning is great, we all love to look healthy and brown, and if you are going to have a spray tan, then you will need some spray tan tips to know how to prepare for it so it lasts as long as it possibly can.
There are many sunless tanners on the market, but getting one professionally applied is the best money you can spend on making yourself bronzed and beautiful. If you are paying any money for any beauty treatment then you want it to last as long as possible, but if you don’t prepare, or look after it properly, then it won’t last – and you cannot blame the Technician if you haven’t done as you were advised!
Spray tan solutions only penetrate the top three layers of your skin, which is why they usually last for between seven and ten days if looked after properly – here I go again! – it does also depend on a few other factors such as skin type, skin colour, bathing routine and your skin care regime, but I just cannot stress how important it is to prepare and maintain your tan properly if you want it to last and continue to look good right through to the end.
There are some conditions associated with spray tanning which are classed as contra-indications, which means it is inadvisable to have a spray tan if you have any of the following:
Psoriasis – Eczema – 1st Trimester of Pregnancy – any Cuts & Abrasions – Previous Allergic Reaction to tanning products
If you do have these conditions, then please tell your Technician before your appointment, sometimes depending on the severity, it can be worked around, except the 1st Trimester in pregnacy as this will need a GP approval note or the Technician’s insurance made be invalidated.
So, after all that, here are my Spray Tan Tips for you to prepare for and maintain your tan for as long as possible.
1) The day before your spray tan appointment, exfoliate your body thoroughly, use something like a nylon puff ball with ordinary soap and avoid using oil based cleasers/moisturisers/soap/lotions. Pay particular attention to knees, elbows, armpits , heels and any other area of your body which is prone to being a little dry. Gently exfoliate your face with a dedicated facial exfoliator. This will remove any dead skin cells which may prevent the tan from taking or looking patchy.
If you need to remove any unwanted hair before your spray tan, make sure you do it at least 24 hours before your appointment. If you do wax or shave immediately before your appointment, your hair follicles will still be open and will allow the spray tan solution to enter them. This could lead to an unsightly spotted appearance and in some cases infection. Also if you have your eyelashes/brows tinted, please do this at least 48 hours prior to your service as the tan can react with the peroxide.
Allow any previous sunless tans to fade for approximately seven days before having a new one.
2) The day of your spray tan appointment, you need to either not wear make-up or deodorant and don’t moisturise, or remove before you arrive at your appointment using a non-oil based remover or wipes.
If you wear any of these to your appointment or they are not effectively removed, they will create a barrier to the spray tan solution and not ‘take’ properly, perhaps leaving a patchy appearance. If you leave on deodorant, your armpits will likely go green! While this shouldn’t interfere with the spray tan solution, it doesn’t make for a good look!
2.a) For your actual tan, if you are having an all over tan then you can wear a bikini or an old bra and pair of knickers. If you want your breasts tanned too, just remove the top. If you are having a partial tan, you need to wear clothing which gives easy access to the areas you are having tanned. Wear or bring dark, loose clothing to put on after your tan and either wear or bring flip-flops or open toe shoes to prevent rubbing – no thick socks, boots or trainers. Remove all jewellery.
Please be aware the tanning solution can transfer onto light coloured clothing, upholstery and bedsheets if sleeping in your unwashed tan but this is usually easily washed off in a normal washing machine wash. If you do decide to sleep in your spray tan before showering, then you will need to wear some kind of clothing and wear cotton gloves or socks over your hands as the sweat from your hands and rubbing of the knees can result in a patchy appearance and a handprint on your face or brown palms do not make for a good look!
3) After having your spray tan, avoid any kind of strenuous exercise for a minimum of five hours, but preferably longer as excessive sweating may cause your tan to break down leading to a patchy appearance and will look uneven. Do not immerse your hands in water for at least 2 – 3 hours after having your tan applied and take care in the first 6 – 8 hours post wash off. If you do any washing up in your house, try to use rubber gloves to protect the tan on your hands.
4) Take note of how long after you have been spray tanned you can wash it off. This will vary from solution to solution. You will be able to shower as normal, taking care to pat yourself dry, not rub and apply non-oil based moisturiser all over your body. You may be aware of a light residue in the water, this is normal. Regular moisturising throughout the life of your tan will prolong it and make it look great right through until the end. Try not to take long hot baths as again, this will break your tan down quicker.
If you are having your spray tan as a ‘pre-holiday’ tan, then make sure you use a non-oil based sunscreen when you are away. Also, chlorine can break a spray tan down quicker, so if you do venture into the pool, apply non-oil based tan lotion before you enter the pool, then when you get out, pat yourself dry (don’t rub) and re-apply your sun lotion.
5) On the fourth day after your spray tan appointment, you will need to gently exfoliate again. This helps the tan to break down evenly rather than in clumpy patches. Do this again on the eighth day, remember to moisturise as often as you can!
Just as an aside, you may use a vertical sunbed prior to or after your spray tanning session. This opens up pores and allows the tan to develop quicker, however, do not have more than a 3 minute session as you must not perspire and no lotion is to be used either.
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