Frequently Asked Questions
1.Q. How do self tanners work? A: The principle tanning agent used in all self-tanning formulas is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This ingredient does not produce a "real tan" by increasing the skin's melanin levels, rather it creates a tanned appearance by developing a brown color on the surface of the skin.
The action of DHA is limited to the upper layer of the skin and involves a reaction between DHA and skin proteins and oxygen that produces brown compounds. This process is similar to what occurs when you slice open an apple and the surface of the apple browns when it's exposed to the oxygen in the air.
The development of color takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and the intensity of color is dependent upon the DHA concentration in the product as well as each tanner's individual skin characteristics. The color developed by the DHA usually lasts 5 to 7 days and begins to fade as the top layer of the skin naturally exfoliates.
2.Q. How many days will a sunless tan last? A: The longevity of a sunless tan depends on the type of self tanning application, the skin's natural exfoliation process, and on the skincare regimen followed before and after application.
On average, self tanners last 4-7 days. A professionally application, I.e. a sunless tan received at a salon or spa, will last longer than an at-home application as there is usually a greater percentage of DHA used.
The "life span" of a sunless tan also depends on your skin's natural exfoliation. The faster your skin turns over, the faster the sunless tan will fade. The tan created by the DHA affects only the top layer of the skin and will begin to fade after 4 to 5 days as the skin naturally begins to exfoliate.
Following a good skin care regimen before and after sunless tanning will help a sunless tan last longer. Exfoliating prior to a sunless tanning application and keeping skin moisturized afterwards are essential. Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer, like bronzed tan extending lotion, help hydrate skin and maintain even, natural-looking color longer.
3.Q. How long should I wait after using a self tanner before I shower? A: DHA solutions take about 24-hours to fully develop. Clients will receive the best results if they can avoid bathing until the day after their sunless session. If they must bathe, they should wait a minimum of 6-hours after the application.
If showering prior to the 24-hour post application recommendation, a simple rinse with water only, is best. Soap destroys DHA. Delayed bathing allows the DHA bronzer sufficient time to complete its reaction with the amino acids (proteins) within the skin.
4.Q. Why is keeping skin moisturized essential to maintain great sunless results? A: It is important to keep skin moisturized after sunless tanning as dry, flaky skin will slough off faster and color will fade sooner. You basically want to slow down your body's natural exfoliation process.
Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer, like bronzed extending lotions, help hydrate skin and maintain even, natural-looking color longer by providing subtle bronzers.
5.Q. Will the spray from a spray tanning application come off on my clothes? A: If you are using a spray solution with a cosmetic bronzer, some of the bronze color may rub off on clothing or bed sheets. This is most likely to happen when you get dressed immediately after tanning.
To minimize the chance of the tint transferring to clothing, we recommend that you wear loose-fitting, darker clothes after your spray session. Try to refrain from physical exertion that could result in you sweating until you shower and wash off the cosmetic bronzer.
The cosmetic tint is water-soluble. Therefore, in most cases, the color will come out of clothing in the wash.
6.Q. Will I turn "orange"? A. No. We have perfectly blended our cosmetic bronzer to give you that "just off the beach" look and transition smoothly into your DHA color that will later develop.
The "orange" color, as it is sometime called, is the result of high pH levels within the skin. Extremely light complected customers or those tanning for the first time should be sprayed with pH Balancing prep spray to balance the skin's pH levels prior to their application.
7.Q. Will a sunless tan protect me from UV sun rays? A. No. You may get a false sense of security when you have been spray tanned. Your skin will still burn.
The skin is not protected and they still need to apply SPF lotions or sprays when in the sun. Our solutions do NOT contain any SPF.
The action of DHA is limited to the upper layer of the skin and involves a reaction between DHA and skin proteins and oxygen that produces brown compounds. This process is similar to what occurs when you slice open an apple and the surface of the apple browns when it's exposed to the oxygen in the air.
The development of color takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and the intensity of color is dependent upon the DHA concentration in the product as well as each tanner's individual skin characteristics. The color developed by the DHA usually lasts 5 to 7 days and begins to fade as the top layer of the skin naturally exfoliates.
2.Q. How many days will a sunless tan last? A: The longevity of a sunless tan depends on the type of self tanning application, the skin's natural exfoliation process, and on the skincare regimen followed before and after application.
On average, self tanners last 4-7 days. A professionally application, I.e. a sunless tan received at a salon or spa, will last longer than an at-home application as there is usually a greater percentage of DHA used.
The "life span" of a sunless tan also depends on your skin's natural exfoliation. The faster your skin turns over, the faster the sunless tan will fade. The tan created by the DHA affects only the top layer of the skin and will begin to fade after 4 to 5 days as the skin naturally begins to exfoliate.
Following a good skin care regimen before and after sunless tanning will help a sunless tan last longer. Exfoliating prior to a sunless tanning application and keeping skin moisturized afterwards are essential. Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer, like bronzed tan extending lotion, help hydrate skin and maintain even, natural-looking color longer.
3.Q. How long should I wait after using a self tanner before I shower? A: DHA solutions take about 24-hours to fully develop. Clients will receive the best results if they can avoid bathing until the day after their sunless session. If they must bathe, they should wait a minimum of 6-hours after the application.
If showering prior to the 24-hour post application recommendation, a simple rinse with water only, is best. Soap destroys DHA. Delayed bathing allows the DHA bronzer sufficient time to complete its reaction with the amino acids (proteins) within the skin.
4.Q. Why is keeping skin moisturized essential to maintain great sunless results? A: It is important to keep skin moisturized after sunless tanning as dry, flaky skin will slough off faster and color will fade sooner. You basically want to slow down your body's natural exfoliation process.
Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer, like bronzed extending lotions, help hydrate skin and maintain even, natural-looking color longer by providing subtle bronzers.
5.Q. Will the spray from a spray tanning application come off on my clothes? A: If you are using a spray solution with a cosmetic bronzer, some of the bronze color may rub off on clothing or bed sheets. This is most likely to happen when you get dressed immediately after tanning.
To minimize the chance of the tint transferring to clothing, we recommend that you wear loose-fitting, darker clothes after your spray session. Try to refrain from physical exertion that could result in you sweating until you shower and wash off the cosmetic bronzer.
The cosmetic tint is water-soluble. Therefore, in most cases, the color will come out of clothing in the wash.
6.Q. Will I turn "orange"? A. No. We have perfectly blended our cosmetic bronzer to give you that "just off the beach" look and transition smoothly into your DHA color that will later develop.
The "orange" color, as it is sometime called, is the result of high pH levels within the skin. Extremely light complected customers or those tanning for the first time should be sprayed with pH Balancing prep spray to balance the skin's pH levels prior to their application.
7.Q. Will a sunless tan protect me from UV sun rays? A. No. You may get a false sense of security when you have been spray tanned. Your skin will still burn.
The skin is not protected and they still need to apply SPF lotions or sprays when in the sun. Our solutions do NOT contain any SPF.