As an esthetician and owner of Green Iris Esthetics, former tanning booth addict (thanks 1990s), and someone who just really cares about the health of my skin, few things exasperate me more than when someone tells me they would rather tan their skin “naturally” than get a spray tan. I’ve been a certified spray tan artist for 2 years, and I’ve heard this more than you would think.
The reasons that people would rather expose themselves to harmful UV rays than get a spray tan can almost always be chalked up to one of the following spray tan myths. So, read along so we can bust these myths together and preserve the health of our body’s biggest organ - the skin!
Myth #1 - Spray tans look unnatural/orange/streaky
Spray tanning has come a long way since the early 2000s, and it’s true that the solutions and method of application may have looked a bit more unnatural 15-20 years ago. I know this from personal experience.
After I had my daughter, I was in dire need of a confidence boost and was convinced that a tan would make me feel better. First, I tried the booth - you know, those machines that spray the solution at you like you’re in a carwash? I quickly realized that the 2 body positions they instructed me to stand in (facing forward and backwards) were not cutting it. Invariably, the machine missed spots and my wrists, knees, and feet looked terrible. So, I became determined to find an airbrush spray tan artist locally; at that time the closest to my home was 35 minutes away. After spending over an hour driving to and from each session, I still wasn’t completely satisfied with the results. In fact, I received feedback from coworkers that I looked a bit “orange.”
Well, fast-forward 16 years and things have changed! Today’s sunless tanning solution manufacturers pride themselves on delivering natural color and quality skin-nourishing ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, aloe, jojoba seed oil, and more).
But it’s not just about the tanning solutions; it’s also about the skill of your spray tan artist. Today’s spray tan artists have access to a wealth of research and continued education compiled over decades. We know, for example, that skin type and undertones matter in solution selection, saturation, and rinse times. We also have access to a broader range of solutions to better customize. The more educated and skilled your spray tan artist, the more natural your tan.
Myth #2 - Spray Tans Don’t Last
Why is it that you hear some people can’t seem to get 4 days out of their tans, while others have spray tans that last 10 days? The answer boils down to (1) the client; and (2) the solution.
Generally speaking, spray tans last 6-10 days. In fact, some of my weekly clients report having a hard time getting their old tans off of their skin after 6-7 days.
To understand spray tan longevity is to understand the skin’s shedding cycle. Spray tan solution works by using an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA interacts with the amino acids in the top layer of skin to create a temporary change in color. Dry skin, flaky skin, and unexfoliated skin is the first to shed, and…you guessed it, the tan sheds off with that old, flaky skin first. This is why it is so important to come to your spray tan appointment with freshly-exfoliated skin.
What else can you do to keep your spray tan lasting as long as possible?
-
After your first rinse, hydrate with a spray-tan safe moisturizer twice a day.
-
Avoid lotions/other products with alcohol.
-
Apply a spray-tan safe sunscreen, and wait 30 minutes before swimming or getting in a hot tub.
What can your spray tan artist do?
-
Use a quality solution that has skin-hydrating ingredients.
-
Offer a sweat-resistant additive which can help to penetrate the solution deeper into the top layer of the skin.
-
Avoid over-saturating the skin during application. This can dry out your skin.
Myth #3 - Spray Tanning is Harmful to Your Skin
Unfortunately some people believe that the chemicals in spray tan solutions are more harmful than baking in the sun’s UV rays. I’d love to bust this myth, particularly because UV rays are responsible for 90% of visible skin aging and the primary cause of skin cancer.
As explained above, the secret behind flawless spray tans is DHA, a plant-based ingredient often sourced from sugar cane or glycerin. DHA is FDA-approved and safe for topical use.
So, rest assured that when you choose spray tanning over the tanning bed, you are doing your body a favor!
Tips for Success
So, how do you as the client set yourself up for success? Here are some tips!
-
Find an educated spray tan artist. Spray tanning is an art, and it takes a lot of education and practice to get good at it. It’s not as simple as purchasing a tent and gun off of Amazon! Research reviews and testimonials, and select a spray tan artist that has “after” pictures on their website and social media.
-
Follow their instructions! An expert spray tan artist will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare your skin before your tan, such as how and when to exfoliate, products to avoid, and what to do after your session.
-
Make sure they are using a quality solution. Your spray tan artist should be transparent about what solution they are using. I’ll never keep my solution secret! After all, this product is being applied to YOUR body. At Green Iris Esthetics, after some trial and error with other solutions, I now exclusively use Glazed Sunless, a luxury brand that is made in small batches and includes high-quality, skin-loving ingredients.
0 Comments