The weather is getting warmer which means it’s time to start building a beautiful bronzed tan – and a spray tan is a safe, quick and effective way to get a golden base immediately. Christina Goniotakis, Master Spray Tan Artist at TANGOD, is here to share some expert advice about how to achieve a gorgeous all-over sun-kissed glow.
How to prep for a spray tan?
Photo credit: Hey Hanni
One of the most important things to do before you get a spray tan is to exfoliate your skin at least one day prior to your appointment. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface so you’re less likely to get streaks – nobody wants an uneven tan! I personally love the Body Exfoliant from NUDA – it gently buffs away dead skin cells and impurities, and leaves the skin smoother, healthier and brighter.
On the day of your spray tan appointment – avoid cold showers and do not put any oils or creams onto your body as these products act as barriers to the skin, causing unevenness as well as discoloration. Stay clear of make-up, moisturizers and deodorant as they have the same effect.
Lastly, remember to bring dark coloured and loose fitted clothing to wear following your appointment. As your tan develops, it’s possible to get a little colour on the inside of your clothes – but don’t worry, this will wash off!
What to expect during a spray tan?
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At TANGOD, before we start the spray tan application we prepare our clients skin by applying a pH balance spray, which helps avoid unevenness and the tan from fading fast, and removes excess oil from the skin. We also apply a cream to our client’s hands and feet to avoid oversaturation in drier prone areas of the body.
Once the spray tan is completed, we use a finishing powder that’s super lightweight and is enriched with kaolin clay, jojoba esters, rosemary extract, green tea extract & vitamin E. This powder leaves the skin feeling soft and silky and helpa set your beautiful glow!
For our tanning products, we use only the highest quality ingredients – and they are cruelty free, paraben free, and nut free. Our spray tan solution is formulated with complex vitamins including, A, B, C, D, E, as well as skin loving ingredients like elderflower, white and green tea extract, coconut water, rosehip extract and lavender extract. These ingredients are fabulous as they work to boost your glow and replenish your skin.
What to do (and what to avoid) after your spray tan
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After getting a spray tan service, we recommend waiting 4-12 hours before your first shower. This is the time that your tan needs to fully develop to achieve that wanderlust look.
For the duration of your tan, it’s best to use organic soap with essential oils that are free of sulphates – this will preserve your tan. I strongly suggest moisturizing daily using an oil-free moisturizer as this helps extend your tan and makes it fade more evenly.
Other things to avoid in the first 4-12 hours include exposing your skin to water, sweating or working out while your tan is developing. And do not scrub or exfoliate your skin until you are ready to remove your tan.
It’s also crucial that your pores are closed! This means, avoid waxing and facials as these services open pores and strip away the tan. If you need these services completed, it’s recommended to have them done 24-48 hours prior to your tanning appointment instead of soon after.
How to make a spray tan last longer
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The key to a long-lasting spray tan is to make sure that you’re following the preparation instructions correctly. The pre-appointment steps are the most important factors in affecting how long your spray tan will last. If clients are not correctly prepared, this can negatively impact the results and longevity of the tan.
Products to help maintain your tan
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Your spray tan sits on the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis. As your skin sheds dry skin cells, your spray tan will fade. To help you maintain a long-lasting spray tan, make sure you’re keeping your skin very hydrated by drinking plenty of water. In addition to H20, use a hydrating face and body moisturizer that’s oil-free and paraben-free.
