BEFORE YOUR TAN
Preparing your skin properly will ensure the perfect result!
1. Shower and exfoliate 24 hours ahead or the night/day before your spray tan, paying particular attention to elbows, knees, ankles and problem dry areas. Exfoliating gloves work best. Remove any remnants of prior spray tans; putting a fresh spray tan on top of old tan will cause build up that looks patchy and dark. It is best to use a body wash specifically formulated as safe for a spray tan. Do not use any drying bar soaps, high pH shower products, oil-based products or in-shower moisturizers for the 24 hours leading up to your spray tan. These products may act as a barrier on top of your skin and can prevent the tanning solution from developing properly. Refrain from using the following ingredients: Mineral oil, Sulfates (minimal), Parabens, AHA or BHA products, Alcohol based products, Acne scrubs, Anti-aging products, and NO Dove Soap! A water based or clear, gel based body wash is good to use. Also, natural ingredient based products are better to use than ones with a lot of chemicals. I’ve always used the philosophy of “the less ingredients, the better.” If you forget to exfoliate and shave 24 hours beforehand, you can do it in the morning, on the day of your tan, if your appointment is that evening. If you must shower or rinse the day of, due to getting dirty by going to the gym for example, do so no later than 4 hours beforehand with water only (except for private areas, if needed).
2. Wax or shave 24 hours prior to appointment. This allows the pores time to close. Dotting in pores may occur if you remove hair too close to time for your tan. This includes using a razor with moisturizing strips. If you must shave the day of your spray tan, make sure that it is no later than 4 hours beforehand, using a lightweight shower gel instead of shaving gel/cream. Rinse the skin with cold water to aid in closing the pores. Also refrain from spa services or facials at least 24 hours beforehand. Laser hair removal can cause adverse results as well, so it is recommended that you wait at least 1 to 2 weeks before getting a spray tan after these services. If you need to get a manicure/pedicure, or paint your nails or toenails, do so sometime before getting your tan (at least 4 hours), and make sure that any nail polish remover or moisturizer has been washed off.
3. Please be clean and dry at the time of your appointment. Do not apply moisturizers, fragrance, or deodorant the day of your spray tan. Do not go to the gym or do anything that will make your skin very dirty beforehand. I will use a prep spray on your skin before applying the tan to ensure optimum results.
4. Wear an old swimsuit or underwear at your appointment that you do not mind getting tan on; however, any staining usually comes out in the wash. All Around Glow also offers disposable bras and thongs to tan in, if needed.
5. Fill out and sign the following consent form the day before your appointment.
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AFTER YOUR TAN
1. Wear dark, loose-fitting clothing or a robe/swimsuit cover-up, and if shoes are needed, flip flops or open toed house shoes. Try not to wear a bra afterwards, but if you must, wear one that is dark and loose-fitting. Do not wear leggings, jeans, tight clothing with seams, or anything that has tight banding in the waist or around the legs. It will cause lines on your body where the tan can rub off. The bronzer in the tan may stain the inside of clothing, but it generally comes out in the wash. During the time after your spray tan, before your first shower/rinse, do not swim, sweat, or do anything that will get your skin wet.
2. The most important step after getting a spray tan is the shower process. I will instruct you on when to shower according to the solution that is used (1 to 4 hrs for rapid or 8 hrs for regular). During the first shower, just rinse off with lukewarm to warm water, only for a few minutes. Do not use any body wash/cleansers. The bronzer will rinse away, but the tan will continue to develop and deepen in color. If using the regular 8hr solution, you may rinse when you wake up the next morning or after the eight hours. Pat yourself dry and do not rub. Wait at least the 8 hours after your spray tan before using shower gels, body washes, and moisturizer. Once you rinse the solution off, you may wear normal clothes and go about your day as usual.
3. Moisturize twice a day, and refrain from using products that will strip the tan, such as loofahs. Stay away from the above ingredients that were listed not to use before your tan. Try to use a moisturizer specifically formulated as safe to use with a spray tan. Use common sense and read ingredients on the products that you use. Stay away from products with a lot of alcohol, oils, fragrance. When getting out of the shower, pat yourself dry instead of rubbing. Do not use exfoliating body washes until time to scrub off the tan. Also, moisturizers that contain SPF can degrade a tan, but you need to protect yourself while in the sun, so you may have to touch up your tan with some sunless tanning mousse or a tan extender or gradual tanner. Swimming in a pool can also affect your tan–the chlorine fades the color and may cause it come off patchy. Swimming in the ocean is better, but it can cause your tan to fade as well. Touch-ups may be necessary afterwards.
4. After day 5 of your tan, start using an exfoliating body wash (lightly), to help your skin absorb even more moisturizer and to help the tan come off evenly and naturally instead of in patches. It will also help in scrubbing the tan off later, when you’re ready for a new one!
Note: The solutions that I use are very high quality, and they do last a long time, but you should still be careful with your actions and how you treat the tan. It is very resilient, under various conditions, for many people. You may not have any issues with some of the above situations, but it’s better to be careful and treat your skin the best that you can! With proper aftercare, your tan will last a long time. The average amount of time that a spray tan will last is 5 to 10 days, sometimes longer with good aftercare.
Remember that preparation and aftercare are the keys to achieving a gorgeous tan!