I don’t think we should have to be telling you that you need to wear sunscreen EVERY SINGLE DAY. ANY darkening of the skin indicates some sun damage has occurred, so it’s smart to make a habit of slathering on the SPF—which makes spray tans an appealing alternative. But how much do you really know about the sunless stuff? We want to spill the secrets you need to know to get a believable bronze—and make it last.
1. Sugar scrubs are BAD NEWS
That’s right everyone, those sugar scrubs you love so much are BAD NEWS bears. You’ll definitely want to exfoliate pre-spray tan to get even glow; sloughing off old skin cells creates an even base for the tan to adhere to. But if you don’t choose the right scrub, it may cause your tan to streak. The oils in popular sugar scrubs coat the skin and cause the tan to run right off. Instead, use an exfoliating mitt and skip applying lotion afterward; spray tan formulas stick best to dry skin.
2. Go Alcohol-Free!
…on the ingredient list, that is. Alcohol is a common ingredient in many spray tans; the liquid acts as a thinning agent, allowing the tan to flow into the fine mist necessary for the application. Alcohol is actually really damaging to your spray tan, causing a crackling effect of the color and making your skin look crazy-dry. While it’s hard to find a spray tan that’s totally alcohol-free, be sure to check the ingredient list and verify that alcohol’s not the first or second thing mentioned. ALL BRUSHED ARTISTRY SPRAY TANS ARE ALCOHOL-FREE, so stick with us to avoid this issue!
Remember to avoid Alcohol in your aftercare products, and soaps as well.
3. Well Ventilated Salons and Mobile Set Ups are SAFEST
Since inhaling spray tan product can pose safety concerns, you’ll want to pick your salon and/or mobile spray tan artist strategically. Choose an airy salon with equipment that has a ventilation fan designed to suck away any overspray immediately. Pay attention to the room you’ll be in too (or tent): If there’s spray tan formula on the walls and things just look generally dirty, that’s a sign that the salon or equipment is poorly maintained—and poorly ventilated. Make sure to ask your technician for an LVLP machine (that stands for low volume, low pressure, and it means you’re less likely to get overspray that you could inhale). We are proud to offer this equipment, and tanning environment for all of your spray tan needs.
4. A Spray Tan is NOT a base Tan
The concept of getting a “base tan” to prevent sunburn is bogus, to begin with—but you should definitely know that a spray tan has no effect on your body’s melanin, which is what causes your skin to tan naturally. Just because you look tan doesn’t mean you’re not going to burn. Use a lightweight sunscreen to protect your skin and your faux-glow. We recommend using IMAGE Sunscreen since it is safe for your spray tan and does not contain any alcohol or harmful ingredients.
5. STOP Piling on the Body Butter
Some salons may recommend keeping the skin highly moisturized to prolong the length of your spray tan, but that’s not the best advice since the moisture in heavy lotions and body butter will work away at your glow, causing it to fade faster. Use a lightweight lotion instead and only moisturizing when absolutely necessary. We love our After Glow Moisturizer since you apply it in the shower, creating a different moisturizing effect on the skin.
6. You CANNOT maintain a Spray Tan
It would be great if you could keep up your spray tan the way you do your eyebrows or roots, but unfortunately, faux tans don’t work that way. If you spray a new tan on top of an old tan, it will look patchy—darker in areas where the old tan remains, and lighter in areas where it’s already worn off. Enjoy your tan for about one and a half weeks, then removing it and starting fresh. Speaking of which…
7. THERE IS A FIX FOR A BAD TAN and a way to get old ones off so you can start off FRESH!
If the worst happens and you look more like an Oompa Loompa than a bronzed goddess, don’t worry: At-home removal is super-easy. Water breaks down the ingredients in your spray tan and loosens it from the skin, so run a warm bath with a little shower gel mixed in, along with lemon juice and 4-5 tablets of Polident (YES the Denture Cleaner.) Soak in it for at least a half an hour, then exfoliate with a loofah or mitt. The tan will rinse away with the water, leaving you with a clean slate.
8. Cell Turnover affects the life of your tan
Everybody’s tan lasts a slightly different length of time, and it usually has nothing to do with the product. The speed at which your cells turn over has a huge effect on how long your tan will last; the younger you are, the faster your cells turn over, which causes your tan to fade more quickly. The bad news: There’s nothing you can do about the speed at which your cells regenerate. The good news: Keeping the amount of moisture your skin is exposed to a minimum can help prolong the life of your tan.
9. Chlorine and Hot Tubs are NOT your friends when you have a Spray Tan
While taking a quick dip in the pool won’t ruin your tan, spending hours on-end in chlorinated water will. Chlorine, which is a kind of bleach, will take the tan right off your skin. As such, Brushed Artistry recommends limiting your swim time after you’ve gotten a spray tan and patting dry right when you get out of the water. Hot Tubs are even worse because they contain Chlorine AND hot water causing your tan to fade faster than ever.
10. Shave at least 24 hours before, waxing is 48 hours before!
It may seem like common sense to shave before a spray tan, but shaving immediately prior to your appointment can cause the product to irritate your skin. Shaving is a mild exfoliant that exposes new skin cells, which are extra sensitive. DHA (the pigment in spray tan) reacts with those sensitive cells and can cause some serious redness and discomfort. There should be a 24-hour window between shaving and your appointment, and a 48-hour window between waxing.
If you ever have any questions please feel free to Call or text us (321)276-0863 – Book your appointment online at www.brushedartistry.com
Brushed Artistry offers mobile, and in studio spray tanning, along with virtual, and one on one training. Contact us today for more info!
I think we all remember the days where you had to keep your spray tan on for at LEAST 8 hours. Those days are now over! With our Premium Glow, you can shower in as little as ONE hour. You read that correctly, ONE HOUR! For a deeper tan, you can keep it on for longer if desired which will leave you with a darker result. Not only can you rinse off sooner, but the tan also fades much more evenly than other Spray Tans. Just like a natural tan in the sun, the fading is completely even. Our Premium Glow is also infused with Moroccan Oil to hydrate your skin and battle dryness. Customers have been raving about this product, as it is different than other tans they have tried in the past. “The best tan ever” is the perfect explanation of this product. This is also a great option to get a last minute color. Are you trying on a dress for an event, and thinking to yourself “wow I need a tan?”
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