Airbrush Tanning Tips (Do's & Do Not's)

What To Do Before and After Your Airbrush Tan

Before Tanning Care

DO'S

·          Wax or Shave - This will allow the hair follicles / pores to close back up before getting your tan. (24 hours before) 

·         Mani / Pedi - Get your manicure / pedicure before your session. Otherwise the scrubbers that the nail salons use will scrub off some of the tan from the tops and sides of your feet. (24 hours before... if you need to get it done after your tan, please wait 8 hours until the processing time is over)

·         Shower / Cosmetics Lotions – Shower and remove any body lotion, moisturizer, perfume, deodorant, makeup and jewelry. These items create a barrier between the solution and your skin. The solution will not absorb properly if not removed from the skin. (day of tan)

·         Exfoliate - Exfoliating with a "Sunless Scrub," "Pre-Tan Scrub," "Microdermamitt" or other appropriate product is recommended. Removing loose, dead, dry skin cells that prevent even application of sunless solution will improve and extend your tanning results. (day of tan) ***Be sure you do not use a "moisturizing" exfoliator because these contain lotion and/or oil. Dove, Bath & Body works, etc are not good to use before your tan. Use something that is specifically for "Sunless Tanning" or "Pre-Tan." Your skin should feel a little bit dry after you have exfoliated properly. Shower Gel with beads is not a proper form of exfoliation.

·         Brush Your Teeth – Be sure you brush your teeth BEFORE your tanning appointment. You do not want the water to drip down your arm and leave a streak, or leave a white ring around your mouth. (day of tan) 

·         Children – If you have children that need assistance at bath time, be sure to bathe them before your tanning session. You will not be able to touch water for 8-10 hours after your tan. (day of tan) 

DO NOT'S

·         Bar Soap - ***DO NOT USE BAR SOAP OF ANY KIND*** It will leave a layer of film on your skin, even Ivory and Dove. 

·         Oil(s) – Do not use products that contain any oils. The oily barrier can stop the airbrush tanning solution from absorbing into the skin.

·         Cosmetics – Do not wear body lotion, moisturizer, deodorant, makeup and jewelry. Not having any of this on will ensure the best results.

WHAT TO WEAR DURING YOUR TAN

·         Women – Women can choose to wear a bathing suit, thong, bandeau top, or nothing at all. 

·         Men – Men may not under any circumstances, tan nude. Must wear boxers, swim trunks, boxer briefs, a thong (or a sock if you don't want tan lines).

After Tanning Care

WHAT TO WEAR AFTER YOUR TAN

·         Dark, loose (baggy) clothes - A loose, dark colored, strapless sun dress is perfect! Tight fitting clothes can cause skin friction in the first couple of hours after your airbrush tan and this may affect the outcome of your tan. Any rub-off of the bronzer should easily wash out of most fabrics. Avoid Nylon or Wool as these may absorb the bronzer.

·         Open shoes (flip flops) – do not wear tennis shoes or socks. This will rub the tops of your feet and ankle area and rub off the tan.

DO'S

·         Shave – Use CONDITIONER to shave, not bar soap or shaving creams as these tend to sit in the pores.

·         Moisturize - Moisturize (very important) daily. It is great to use lotion on showered, damp skin. 

·         Soap - Wash with a mild, moisturizing shower gel and a gentle bath poof or your hand. 

·         Pat Skin / No Rubbing - When drying off, pat skin...do not rub skin. 

·         Sleep in your airbrush tan - If you choose to sleep in your airbrush tan (recommended) please cover your bed with dark sheets and pillow cases so that any bronzer does not stain your regular sheets. 

·         Sun block – The airbrush tanning solution contains no sun protection. Please be sure to protect your skin and wear a daily SPF.

DO NOT'S

·         Water – Do not touch water at all (except to drink) for 8 hours after your tan. 

·         Baths / showers - DO NOT SHOWER FOR 8-10 HOURS - If at all possible, wait overnight to shower and allow the solution enough time to react with the amino acids in your skin. Shower normally. You will see some color wash from your skin. This is completely normal, and was only the bronzer. Avoid long, hot baths and showers. 

·         Sweating - Avoid any activity that would cause sweating; exercise, cleaning, or showering, as your airbrush tan is developing during these first 8 hours. After the 8-10 hours, feel free to exercise and sweat!

·         Exfoliate - Avoid exfoliating skin (even when drying off with a towel). No microdermabrasion. 

·         Dogs – Dogs tend to LOVE the airbrush solution because of how tasty it is! Do not let your dog lick your tan or it will leave a white mark on your skin. 

·         Other Tips - Some products can cause faster fading such as bar soaps, alcohol based products such as toners and astringents. If you are going to be in a pool or at the beach, be sure to wear a thick “waterproof” or “sport” SPF to create a barrier between your tan and the water.

·         Do Not Use – Band Aids, Face Masks, Bioré Pore Strips, Anti Aging or Anti Acne products, hair removal creams and shaving creams.

Tanning Information
Skin replaces itself naturally every 28 days. Twenty-five percent of skin is exfoliated each week, causing a UV-tan to wear away. Sunless spray tans affect only the top 25 percent of skin. Sunless tanners should use a tan-extending program to maintain the level of the sunless tan longer.
 
The airbrush tanning solution affects only the dead skin cells. Your skin has a build up of dead skin cells on top of it. The thicker the layer, the sooner it will rub off. If you exfoliate, the layer will be very shallow, and it will take a while for it to “build up”. Your tan will last longer! Prior to your tan, it is important to use either an exfoliating mitt, a pre-tan scrub, and products that don't contain any oils. If you use something that contains oils, the oily barrier can stop the airbrush tanning solution from absorbing into the skin properly.

We offer what we consider a must have exfoliator. We have used it and it has enhanced and lengthened our airbrush tan. Click here to read more about the exfoliating mitt.

Sunless Tan Maintenance (Life of your Airbrush Tan)
We recommend that after every five weeks of airbrush tanning, let your skin rest for 10 days. This allows you to completely lose your sunless tan periodically, which helps eliminate patchiness or uneven areas of wear. These areas are caused by normal contact with clothing and other surfaces, which cause unintended exfoliation. Healthy, moist skin will retain the results of your sunless tanning session longer. Spray tan results will vary by individual.