Spray tanning and airbrush tanning have become a popular form of getting that healthy bronze glow we’re always after and can be a great alternative if you want to avoid possible damage from UV rays. Before you hit the salon or a buy a bottle of tanning spray to try at home there are a few thing you should know before getting started to ensure you get the best results.

The Basics of a Spray Tan

Spray tanning works by spraying or airbrushing an FDA approved substance called DHA (or dihydroxyacetone) onto your skin. This is a form of sugar that sticks to the dead skins cells on your body and causes a chemical reaction with the amino acids on your skin to create a browning result. Since it affects the outermost layer of skin, it lasts only about a week or so until the tinted skin has been exfoliated away. Be sure to exfoliate beforehand to maximize the time your tan will last.

Where to Get It

This is a process that can be done at home or in a salon and can sometimes even be found at a kiosk at the mall or beach. The thicker skin on your body such as your hands and feet can absorb more DHA creating a more intense colour, so if you’re applying your own spray tan, it may be best to do these areas last or not at all. Salons will offer this service by means of a booth that sprays you automatically or by applying the spray by hand with an airbrush.

The Spray Tanning Process

The tanning spray is misted onto the body from an automatic nozzle in a booth or by hand from an airbrush gun. If you want the best results, you may be more inclined to have a well trained technician apply it with the airbrush to avoid missing any spots, applying too much solution to one area, or giving yourself any streaks or blotches. A professional spa technician should also be able to advise you on the correct application to get the perfect tone for your natural skin colour.

This process is done a few minutes, the extra spray is towelled off, and the results can be noticed in about an hour or so. You will likely be advised to wait about 4 hours before showering to avoid rinsing the spray off while the chemical reactions are still in progress. Keeping your skin moisturized will slow the exfoliation of your skin and should help to keep your tan lasting longer.

Precautions to Take

Like any cosmetic product you apply to you skin, possible allergic reactions can occur. If you have sensitive skin you may want to do a test patch on yourself before getting a full body spray. This process could also dry out your skin so be sure to use proper moisturizers to keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful.

The tanning solution used is for external use only, so be careful to cover your eyes and mouth during the application. Holding your breath or using a breathing filter (such as a small mask) while spraying areas even away from your face may also be a good idea if you have sensitive lungs.

Whether you want to just get a little darker for a special event or will be repeating the process each week, spray tanning is a great way to get a healthy looking bronze while avoiding the sun and its UV rays. This process doesn’t give you any kind of a base tan that will protect from UV exposure, so be sure to still use sunscreen when tanning outdoors or spending any time in the sun.

The quest to get that perfect bronze hue can be harder and harder these days with peoples busy schedules and cautions about tanning in the sun. Sometimes you have no time in your day to get outside during the peak tanning hours, or you live in a climate that doesn’t always allow for outdoor tanning. Well there are options out there now that completely remove the need for sun and with a little bit of information you’ll be able to choose the method that suits your needs best.

Bronzers

One of the simplest and least expensive ways to give yourself some glow comes in the form of bronzing powder and moisturizer cosmetics. While it will last only as long as your makeup is on, this is a great way to either enhance your current tan or add a bit of extra colour for a short time. This option is most effective for use on just your face and neck.

Wet Tanning Products

Tanning lotions, creams, mousses, or gels can be a great way to get an easy sunless tan, but choosing the right brand that works best with your skin type is important. The price range with this product can be very low in the form of a generic drugstore brand or can sky rocket up to a designer product that comes in a tiny bottle. You can usually find a good mid-range product that won’t give you a cheap looking artificial tan for a decent price with a little bit of shopping around.

Tanning Pills

A tanning option that can get a little pricier than some of the tanning creams and lotions out there comes in the form of tanning pills. These pills contain caretenoid pigments that affect the layers of fat below your skin by giving them a darker tint. Large amounts of this pigment can turn your skin an orange shade so be careful to work up to your desired shade slowly by determining how much is the right amount for your body. Consistent use of this option is easily the most convenient way to get a lasting tan and there’s no need to apply any lotions or sit through any extended tanning procedures.

Spray Tanning

Getting your tan sprayed on from a booth or an airbrush technician will last for only about a week before it needs to be re-applied, but you can get a beautiful and even tan in a matter of minutes with virtually no mess. Unlike the wet tanning products, there is no staining of your clothes because this method dries much more quickly and doesn’t use dyes.

Tanning Beds or Booths

Closest to the tan you would get from the sun, tanning beds or stand-up booths use bulbs which emit UV radiation. Because this method affects your deepest layer of skin, you’ll get the longest lasting effect from a tanning bed and you have the best chance at an even tan with no streaking or blotching. It can be more expensive to maintain this tan as you have to either buy your own equipment or go to a salon to use theirs, but this will give you a glow that lasts for weeks even once you stop tanning.

Regardless of the method you choose to get your tan, exfoliating before any process and making sure you have clean skin will give you the best results. A good moisturizing regime can extend the life of your tan and will keep your skin looking young and healthy. Whether you want to avoid UV rays or get a quick spray tan that will last long enough for a special occasion or event, there is a tanning method out there that’s sure to suit anyone’s schedule and budget.