SPRAY TANNING FAQ’s
- 1What is a sunless tan?
A sunless tanner contains the ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone) that reacts with the outer layer of the skin turning it a brownish tan color. When dissolved in water, DHA produces a colorless solution. Many self tanners have bronzers added so that the product goes on with a tan shade. The addition of color also makes application easier, since applied and un-applied areas are distinct.
Since the sunless tan is on the outer layers of skin, it lasts until these skin cells shed in the normal exfoliating cycle. A fully developed sunless tan will typically take 4 to 8 hours depending on formulation. Consult your product instructions for details.
- 2How does airbrush tanning differ from spray tanning?
Airbrush tanning is a type of spray tanning that is applied with an airbrush rather than a spray gun. However, some airbrushes do resemble a spray gun, an airbrush offers more precise control but is usually slower than the spray gun. The market has increasingly moved to spray equipment adapted to spray tanning, however, the extra control of an airbrush is not always needed. Large format airbrushes can be used for rapid application.
- 3How long will an airbrush tan last?
A typical tan lasts from a 4-10 day period depending on the aftercare attention and the general nature of a specific person’s skin. It is recommended to only get a tan on average about once per week.
- 4How long does it take to apply?
Sunless tanning applications take about 15 minutes to spray on and then require additional time to dry. While most treatments are completed within thirty minutes , we advise our clients to allocate at least one hour for their spray tan in order to ensure optimal results and the best experience possible.
- 5What is the difference between DHA and cosmetics bronzers?
DHA is an FDA approved 3 carbon sugar that is colorless when in dissolved in water. But, when applied to the skin, it will interact with the amino acids of the skin to produce a tanned appearance. This reaction begins upon contact with the skin, but will take a number of hours to develop. In contrast, bronzers are coloring agents, usually FD&C dyes (approved for application to the skin). Caramel coloring or walnut stain are sometimes used as well. The cosmetic bronzers will show substantial wash-off in the first shower, revealing the developed sunless tan. The bronzers give an immediate tan appearance and assist in application.
- 6Does a sunless tan offer sun protection?
No. Although the skin in a sunless tan is brown, this is not due to melanin pigmentation. Melanin does protect the skin from UV damage. The production of melanin is stimulated by UV exposure received in a sun tan or tanning bed. The sunless tan is developed without UV exposure.
- 7Will tanning solution stain hair?
If sprayed into the hairline, tanning solution can build up on the hair shaft. This is usually not a problem nor noticeable since the amount of spray accidentally getting to the hair is quite small. For light blonde or graying hair it may be noticeable but will wash out in the first shower. If you take care not to spray into the hair line, this will not be an issue.
A hair net may be used to block any overspray into the hair. But usually you will find a hair net more useful to keep a client’s hair off their face.