The beauty industry continues to experience exponential growth in spray tanning as an alternative to tanning beds. Reports indicate that by 2026, this sector will be selling products worth over $5.5 billion. One of the best explanations behind the increased acceptance and usage of spray tanning is that it protects against the most feared UV rays.
The adoption and high usage of technology have also had a hand in the growing trend. However, despite being a highly beneficial practice, spray tanning comes with terms and requirements.
One of the primary requirements is to know the dos and don’ts before and after a spray tan. So here’s a deeper look into this growing practice.
What Is a Spray Tan?
A spray tan is a beauty treatment procedure that entails spraying the body with Dihydroxyacetone containing ingredients. This tanning ingredient reacts with your skin’s dead cells simulating an artificial suntan and darkening your skin’s color.
The procedure is conducted by beauty technicians, mainly in a salon establishment or spa. After spraying, the tan will remain on your body for roughly 5 to 10 days, depending on how darker you want to go. For example, if you are in for a lighter tan, it will last approximately 5 to 7 days, while a darker shade will take up to 10days.
Primary Things To Put Into Consideration Before Getting a Spray Tan
The success of your spray tan procedure depends entirely on you. It’s therefore essential that you put the following factors into consideration before your appointment date.
Work With a Professional Spray Tanner
Do you want the best results? Then, go ahead and get a professional tanner for yourself. Such professionals are experienced and know what to do to give you the best outcome. Moreover, you can expect quality products, chemicals, and equipment from them.
In addition to getting a qualified specialist to work with, you need to be proactive and give them as much detail as possible to carry out the work perfectly. Your tanner will, for instance, need to know what depth of spray tanning you need, the allergies you have, or any other health condition you may be experiencing.
Exfoliate To Remove Dead Skin Hours Before Your Appointment Date
It would be best if you got rid of the dead cells on your skin surface before spray tanning to allow easy absorption of the tan in your skin. Dr. Sophie Evans, a beauty expert at St. Tropez, recommends exfoliating eight hours before your appointment.
To exfoliate, you need to engage in actions such as body scrubbing or dry brushing hours before visiting the tanning technician. As you exfoliate, you must keep off chemical and oil-containing products as they will interfere with the tanning process.
Take a Shower Eight Hours Before the Tan
Before getting a tan, your body must be fresh and sweat-free. This will enable the tanning solution to mix evenly with the skin resulting in desired results. For best results, ensure to take a shower eight hours before the tanning time.
This will give your body ample time to rejuvenate, calm and return to its average temperature allowing for evenly distribution of the spray tan.
Shave and Wax a Day Before Your Tan Appointment Date
You will need to shave and wax before getting a spray tan to absorb the tanning solution into your skin quickly. It would be best if you did the waxing/shaving 24 hours before the tan day to calm the skin and accommodate the spraying.
Shaving a few hours before the tan may traumatize or irritate your skin, making it difficult to react with the solution.
Stay Natural
This may be the hardest thing to do in this era where makeup has become part and parcel of our day-to-day lives. However, it would help if you did away with makeup on your tan appointment date. Just like oiling and applying lotion, putting on makeup, deodorant, or perfumes interferes with the spray tan.
If possible, ensure to visit the technician in your natural self; they will take it from there to apply non-oil-based lotions to your desired body parts before doing the spraying.
Wear Loose Clothing
One of the surest things to expect after spray tanning is for some of the colors to spill off onto your clothing. For this reason, you should ensure to wear dark loose clothing that won’t be a problem if stained by the tan.
How Long Should You Wait to Shower After Spray Tan?
The outcome of your spray tan depends not only on how well you prepare for the procedure but also on how well you take care of your skin after the treatment. For quality results, you should ensure to implement the following aftercare tips.
Avoid Contact with Water
It’s a rule that your body stays completely dry the first four hours after a spray tan. This makes it easy for the solution to absorb your skin quickly.
Wait for at Least 4 Hours Before Taking a Shower
After getting a spray tan, give it time to absorb into your skin before hopping into the shower. A maximum of four hours will be enough. As you take your first shower after the spray tan, ensure to use cold water and gently pat yourself using your hand’s palm.
This will help eliminate the surface bronzer without interfering with the tan. In addition, you don’t need to use any drying soaps or exfoliants during this time. If possible, get yourself an oil-free cleanser to apply during the shower.
At this time, you are free to use an oil-free moisturizer to help in keeping your skin hydrated. Hydrated skin is known to last the tan longer.
Stay Away from Makeup
After getting a spray tan, the last thing you should do is hop back into applying makeup. A fresh tan needs a maximum of 6 to 8 hours before applying any makeup. This will give it ample time to sink in and get its intended color.
Wear Loose Clothing
Like we said in preparing for a spray tan, it’s essential that you also continue wearing loose clothing after the procedure to avoid staining your clothes and interfering with the distribution of the solution. If you are comfortable with it, you can forgo your panties and bra for the day.
Take Away
When done the right way, spray tanning is the surest and safest way to achieve glowing skin. Following the above recommendations will give you the best spray tan experience and results!
