It is widely accepted that a ‘tan’ look is one of the must-have accessories for everyone who wants to be hot, desirable and in. And for a good reason! Everyone looks better with a bit of color on them! But, we’ve all heard about how dangerous it is to hang out in the sun all day – worst case scenario: you get skin cancer. The same goes for tanning beds. That’s why more and more people are turning to spray tanning as an alternative. Before we give you the spray tan tips, a word of caution: although this sunless tanning method is mostly safe, the FDA warns to neither ingest nor inhale the chemicals that come with. Please also avoid contact with the eyes, nose and lips.
We all know what spray tanning is – the spraying of a fine mist of colour to the skin. But, a lot of people don’t really know all the tricks to achieve that perfect bronze glow. That is why we will be presenting you with all the spray tan tips and tricks, do-s and don’ts-s for getting tanned the right way!
For an alternative way to sunless tanning see the best self tanners.
© by renaissancechambara
Pre-tanning Spray Tan Tips:
A lot of people simply get a tan, without preparing for it properly. Here are some of the things you should do before getting sprayed. If you follow these spray tan tips, you are sure to get the most out of your tanning appointment!
- Nail polish
Putting on nail polish before getting a tan is crucial. Even if it’s just a clear polish, it will prevent stains on your fingernails. With polished nails you will be able to simply wipe the spray off and another good thing is that the spray will not damage your nails if you got a gel manicure or acrylic nails.
- Waxing and shaving
If you wax your lips and eyebrows, make sure you do it before spray tanning. This way you can make sure you won’t have any light patches afterwards. Since shaving is a form of exfoliation, it is advisable that you don’t shave heavily after your tanning appointment.
- Exfoliating
It is advisable that you exfoliate before you get your spray tan. By doing this, your tan will look better and last longer.
- Remove your makeup/Shave your beard
Girls – It is very important that you remove your makeup before the appointment. This also goes for lotions, sunscreen or oil based substances. It is ok to have lip balm, deodorant and mascara on.
For guys, it’s important to shave your beard before tanning, but only if you were going to shave it off a short time after getting a tan. If you usually grow a beard, then there is no need to shave.
- Brush your teeth
This is something a lot of people forget to do. Brushing your teeth before your appointment is important because brushing them later might cause water to drip on your skin and leave streaks, or leave a light spot around your mouth.
Some tips especially for guys:
- Body hair
It is not necessary to do anything with your body hair before or after spray tanning – in most cases it will not affect the process.
- Baldness
If you have a bald spot, remember not to wear a cap – you are going to want to get that spot tanned as well. This will result in an even color and make you look natural.
Post-tanning Spray Tan Tips:
After getting your perfect tan, you want to make sure it looks great and lasts for as long as possible. Here are some post-tanning spray tan tips to make that happen.
- Showering
After tanning, you will feel sticky. This will last until your first shower. It is recommended that you wait at least 10 hours after your appointment before showering. It is important that you don’t get wet before your first shower because it might cause streaking – no sweating, swimming or exercising!
- Be careful with your palms
Your skin will be sticky on the day of your tanning. If you touch it with your palms, you have to remember to wash the insides of your hands. The palms are not supposed to get tanned, so it would be best to have some wipes or hand sanitizers nearby.
- Exfoliating
This one is simple – NO exfoliating. That means:
- No rubbing down after you shower – pat yourself with the towel instead
- No sponges, body scrubs, body washes, etc.
- Shave as little as possible – shaving is also a kind of exfoliation
- Swimming
It is not advisable to go swimming in pools, the chlorinated water can fade your tan or cause streaks. This also goes for salt water, so no swimming in the ocean either.
- Using body products
There are different rules concerning different products.
It is recommended that you use moisturizers and any other hydrating solutions (just make sure that they are fragrance free). You should use them at least once a day. Sunscreen is also a must – use it every time you are exposed to the sun, because a spray tan is no protection for the UV rays.
On the other hand, it is not advisable to use any kind of scented lotions or other body products. It is also not recommended to use acne treatment products or facial washes containing salicylic acid. The same goes for makeup removal products or depilatory creams.