Instructions to ensure a beautiful bronze glow
Day Before Tan:
Shower, exfoliate with a gentle body exfoliant. NO SUGAR SCRUBS. Sugar scrubs contain oils that will act as a barrier between the skin and the tanning solution causing your tan to not develop as desired. Gently help the dead skin sluff off leaving a clean canvass to accept the tanning solution
Shave 24 hours prior to your appointment. Use a razor that does not have a moisture strip on it as the strip can leave a residue on the skin. Shaving too close to your appointment time can allow the solution to settle in the pores. This will cause a “strawberry affect” leaving your legs looking like they have little black dots on them.
Waxing should be done 3 days prior to your appointment. The residue from the oil and wax will not allow the solution to process on the skin properly.
Day Of Tan:
You need completely clean bare skin to allow the solution to penetrate the stratum corneum (the top layer of your skin) and process. Shower at least 6 hours prior to your appointment. No deodorant, lotion, perfume, oil, or makeup. Deodorant will cause your armpits to turn green and no one wants green armpits.
Wear loose fitting clothing. If possible, no bra or underwear. Anything tight will cause the solution to rub off resulting in an uneven tan. Dark cotton material is best. Do not wear socks or tight-fitting shoes.
Post Care:
Do not touch your skin before you shower. Touching the areas sprayed will result in dark fingertips and palms leaving white spots in the area that was disturbed.
Avoid any type of moisture for a minimum of an hour if you were sprayed in a rapid solution and 8 hours if a regular solution was used. If you sweat, shower, wash dishes, cry or accidently get wet in any way your tan will streak and or wash off.
If a rapid solution was used rinse in 1 to 3 hours and 8 hours for regular solution. Do not rinse using super-hot water. No washcloths or loofahs. No soaps or gels. Lukewarm water only.
If you slept in your spray tan before rinsing when you wake you will look incredibly dark. The DHA has processed and tanned your skin underneath the cosmetic bronzer. Rinse off the bronzer, all will be well.
You will see the bronzer coming off when you rinse, do not panic. That is not your tan going down the drain. Remember, this is cosmetic bronzer, it is what you see while you are getting sprayed giving you instant tan satisfaction. The component of the spray that tans you is the DHA and is clear. I do carry a clear bronze free solution if you prefer what one of my clients deemed the polaroid tan.
Pat dry with a towel. Do not rub.
Moisturize with an alcohol-free lotion. Perfume type lotions like Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret are full of alcohol and not good for spray tans.
During your second shower (at least 24 hours after rinsing) use a mild gel, still no loofah or was cloth.
Moisturize and never rub dry with a towel always pat, during the life of your spray tan.
DHA only “tans” the top layer of skin. Anything that dries your skin and causes it to exfoliate faster will fade your tan faster. Chlorine, hot showers, saunas, and hot tubs are not spray tan friendly. If you partake in any of these your tan will fade sooner than later.
Your body naturally exfoliates dead skin every seven to ten days at this time you will want to start helping it to sluff off evenly by using a gentle body exfoliant. Do not try to make your spray tan last longer than the natural process. Doing so will cause a splotchy look.