12 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING A SPRAY TAN
1. Do your nails
Wear nail polish. Even if it’s just a clear coat or even with petroleum jelly, wearing polish will help to protect your nails from the spray tan.
2.Shave or wax first
Make sure to wax or shave preferably 12-24 hours before your appointment.
By doing this you will avoid any discomfort from the new skin cells being exposed to chemicals and also avoid the speckled brown dot effect from spraying tan on open pores.
3.Exfoliate
Shower and exfoliate your skin the night before your appointment. Exfoliating the skin with a brush, sponge or exfoliating glove will loosen dead skin cells so that the spray tan will adhere to new cells and last longer and make your tan more even.
Use a water-based shower gel avoiding any with an oily residue as this might interact with the tanning agent.
The spray tan should be done with freshly exfoliated, clean, and unlotioned skin.
4.Do not wear perfume, makeup, deodorant or moisturiser
All should be avoided on the day of your tan.They may interact with the spray solution in unexpected ways, causing the skin’s tone to turn orange or, in the cases of some deodorants, bright green.
5.Barrier cream
Apply Barrier cream to areas that absorb too much colour -elbows, knees, hands and feet. You can also use some on your eyebrows and nails.
6.Wear contact lenses or don’t forget to remove your glasses
It will help to stop getting little spots on the side of your nose and temples when you put your glasses back on.
7.Leave Your Jewellery and Makeup at Home
Rings, watches, earrings etc, may get ruined by the spray solution, as it does stain. Not only that, but any part of your skin that is covered by a piece of jewellery will leave a white patch, making your tan look fake or unfinished.
8.While the therapist waits for you outside the room, get undressed
Disposable pants or a thong, a hair net and sticky feet are provided. Don’t forget to peel the white section from the sticky feet. It’s your choice if you want to go topless or wear a bikini but check first with the therapist if nude tanning is ok. Don’t forget to wear your hair up in a ponytail or just away from your face and neck.
9.Wear loose, dark clothing after the spray tan. And bring a rain coat/umbrella
No! Gym capris and yoga pants are too tight! They will rub against the tan and may make it streaky. Stay away from water. The rain will make the tan patchy.
10.No working out after your tan
Skip the gym and avoid doing anything that will make you sweat while the tan is setting.
11. Be careful when filling the kettle as you make a coffee afterwards- make sure it doesn’t splash all over your arms leaving water dots, soak your t-shirt and seep onto your tan. Yeah, it does happen.
12.You can shower after 6-8hours and don’t forget to use a moisturiser regularly over your whole body while the tan is fading. It will help your tan last longer and fade more evenly.
