Tan Preparation and Care
What you do can mean the difference between a good and a bad spray tan.
Preparing before your Spray Tan:
Don’t wax or shave your legs the day of your tan.
As you will be sprayed with a solution containing bronzer it is best to shave or wax one or two days before, as the bronzer gets into the newly created pores and can give you “spotty” results.
Exfoliate the day before your spray tan (do not exfoliate just before your appointment)
Spray tanning solution affects only the dead skin cells. Your skin has a build-up of dead skin cells. The thicker this layer, the sooner it will rub off. If you exfoliate, this layer will be shallow, and it will take longer for it to “build up” and fall off. Your tan will last longer and fade better if this layer starts off shallow.
To achieve this It is important to use a good exfoliating glove to prepare your body for your Spray Tan. Stay away from products that can leave a film on the body like soaps that are heavy in moisturiser or oils. Using these can create a barrier and can stop the spray tanning solution soaking in. Remember when exfoliating that hands and feet are also part of your body.
We recommend Exfoliating mitts by Black Magic Tan $20. We also highly recommend our Tan removal mousse for clients who tan regularly $30.
Don’t use chemical exfoliants in your prep.
Chemical exfoliants (including BHA & AHA) work by dissolving the glue that holds your dead skin cells together. They continue to keep working even after you finish using them. So if you use these to exfoliate for your new tan, they will continue to do their job & you will find they will start to make your new tan cracked & patchy as they loosen your top skin layer. Please stay away from these type of exfoliants for a good week prior to your appointment and not for the life of your tan either.
Don’t wear any deodorant, moisturiser or makeup before spray tan.
Many deodorants will stop spray tanning solutions soaking in, this barrier can result in your underarms going white.
Moisturiser and makeup also creates a barrier to your tan, so we recommend no moisturiser the day of your tan.
Wear loose clothing after your tanning session.
It is best to bring clothes and shoes as loose as possible to wear after your spray tanning session to make sure nothing rubs off. Ladies – don’t wear your bra after. Keep that handbag off your shoulders whilst the tan develops.
We highly recommend a Rapid tan, these give you the ability to shower 2-3 hours after your tan (no more 8 hours of sticky)
If you choose an 8 hour tan and if need to sleep in your tan, put some moisturiser on your palms before, it will help protect them as waking up with brown palms is not what anyone wants. (Cotton gloves are useful also)
If it’s raining cover up head to toe (you cannot outrun the rain and the water will ruin your fresh tan) and bring an umbrella as you need to stay dry while your tan develops.
Caring For, Extending and Removing Spray Tan:
Caring for your tan involves keeping it moisturised, and using specialised products to extend the life of your tan.
Keep your spray tan moisturised
1. Moisturise like crazy from the day after your tan. you have to guard it from becoming dry and those tanned skin cells rubbing off. The best way to do this is to moisturise morning and night. This means dead skin cells will be moist, and stay “plastered” to your body long which improves the longevity of your tan.
It’s crucial to make sure the moisturising lotions you use are oil-free since oils break down the DHA and give your skin that cracked appearance
We recommend Black Magic Tans Nourish Moisturiser with SPF 15 – $30
2. Avoid things that will exfoliate your skin excessively. How about a hot, luxurious bath after your spray on tan? I don’t think so! That will make your skin exfoliate faster, as will rolling in the sand on the beach. A short swim in the sea will not take much off however, but swimming lots in a chlorinated pool will. (Chlorine will not exfoliate the tan, it will bleach it).
3. Use gentle shower products. Some soaps are too harsh and using them can take tan off in patches. If you have to use the soap, use good quality ones without oils. Better still; a gentle shower gel will be much better for your spray tanned skin.
Prolong the depth of your tan.
If you are not a weekly tan addict (like a lot of us are) The ability to extend the life of your tan and depth as it starts to fade might just be for you.
The spray tan has a tendency to come off first from places that are used the most like hands, feet and face (lots of face cosmetics have exfoliating qualities). If you wear tight clothing like jeans, you might find that your legs get lighter in some places (tops of your thighs) first.
Touch up solutions and a moisturiser that includes DHA for extending your tan are worth investing in. (A sunless tanning moisturiser can extend the life of your tan).
We stock Tan X-Tend by Black Magic which is designed using DHA to extend the life of your tan SPF 15 $30.
For flawless results we don’t like to tan over old spray tan. And highly recommend you completely remove it. You then have the perfect base for your new tan.
All gone? Call 0800 009776 for your next appointment
We stock
TAN XFOLIATING MITT
FOAMING TAN REMOVER
BLACK MAGIC TAN NOURISH
BLACK MAGIC TAN XTEND
INSTANT TANNING MOUSSE