Spray Tanning 101: The Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Tan

 

Get ready for a flawless tan with our ultimate guide to spray tanning! From prep to aftercare, we've got you covered with all the tips and tricks you need.

Are you tired of damaging your skin with harmful UV rays from tanning beds or sun exposure? As the number of skin cancer diagnoses and signs of aging due to UV radiation increases, the need for protective measures is more essential than ever. Luckily, there's a safer to tan - spray tanning. 

Spray tanning provides a perfect St. Tropez glow without the risks of harmful UV exposure. And it can also boost confidence in one's appearance. 

However, getting a perfect spray tan requires some preparation and aftercare. In this guide, we'll share our top tips and tricks for achieving a flawless, bronzed glow every time.

Plan Your Tan...Preparation Before Your Appointment

You've probably heard horror stories of spray tanning or may think of Ross in Friends, where he gets oversprayed, which include streaks, orange hands, and dark creases. However, these problems can be avoided if you carefully prep your skin.

Before getting a sunless tan, preparing your skin is essential to ensure an even and long-lasting result. 

Tip 1: Exfoliate Your Skin Before You Spray Tan
Preparing for a spray tan is essential to ensure an even and long-lasting result. Before you head to get your spray tan at the tanning salon in Buckeye, AZ, it's essential to exfoliate your skin thoroughly with a gentle scrub or exfoliating mitt at least 24 hours before your appointment. This step removes any dead skin cells, creating an even surface for the spray tan solution to adhere to.

Tip 2: Hair Removal...Get Rid Of Hair From Places You Want To Tan
Hair can get in the way of a self-tanner and can cause it to appear uneven. Hence you want to shave 12- 15 hours before to ensure you'll be happy with the final appearance of your tan.

Tip 3: You Want Clean Skin
On the day of your spray tan, your skin should be clean and dry. Go in oil-free with no soap residue or lotions to interfere with your tan. Hence do not apply any tanning lotions, and avoid rich moisturizing body wash.

Also, avoid applying deodorant or perfumes to the skin before tanning.

Tip 4: Remove All Makeup Prior To Tanning
Makeup also prevents the tanning solution from setting, so wash it all off  prior to your visit.

The Day Of Your Spray Tan

What To Wear To Your Spray Tan Appointment
Avoid wearing tight clothes as they may cause uneven application or smudging of the tanning solution resulting in an inconsistent-looking tan. Instead, opt for wearing dark, loose-fitting clothes that don't rub against your skin after application.

Apply A Barrier Cream On Dry Areas
Dry skin can absorb more of the tanning solution and create darker, unnatural patches. Therefore you want to apply a barrier cream to any dry patches and areas like elbows, knees, feet, and hands, where the solution tends to grab. This is usually supplied at the salon.

Other Tips
You want to put your hair up when you tan. And remove any jewelry before being sprayed.

 Maintenance After Your Tanning Appointment

 To avoid your tan coming off prematurely, you want to make sure that you follow these steps. Also, most self-tanners take a while for the real color to develop, so proper maintenance is essential to help you achieve the best color possible.

• First, you want to ensure that you do not wear tight clothing. You want to wear loose, dark clothing to bed that night.
• Avoid showering for 10 hours. 
• The first washing should be a sponge bath/wash.
• Do not exfoliate your skin when showering. This also goes after the shower. Hence you want to pat dry, not rub dry with a towel.
• Moisturize after bathing.
• Don’t exercise for 10-12 hours after tanning.

Maintain Your Tan With Proper Aftercare
After getting a spray tan, it's essential to take proper care of your skin to maintain its color and prevent it from fading too quickly. You can enjoy your flawless spray tan and glowing skin for up to a week or more with proper aftercare.

• Avoid harsh soaps or exfoliants, as they can strip away the color. Instead, use a gentle, moisturizing body wash and apply a hydrating lotion or oil daily to keep your skin soft and supple. 
• Pay attention to your skincare products. You want to avoid AHA/BHA, exfoliates, and retinol products.

Spray Tanning Benefits
Spray tanning offers several benefits over traditional tanning methods that involve UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. The main advantage is spray tans provide a natural sun-kissed glow without exposing your skin to harmful UV radiation, which can cause premature aging and increases the risk of skin cancer.

Another benefit is that spray tans are customizable in terms of color intensity and tone. You can choose a shade that best suits your complexion, ensuring you get a tan that looks like it's been achieved naturally - no one will ever know it came from a bottle!

Spray tans also help boost confidence by providing an instant glow without spending hours baking in the sun. A healthy-looking tan has been shown to make people feel better about their appearance, making them more confident and self-assured overall.

Lastly, spray tans last longer than traditional ones since they aren't dependent on how long you're exposed to sunlight or how frequently you visit a salon for indoor tanning sessions.