How Spray Tanning Works
Spray tanning involves applying an active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, to your skin using a specialist low pressure spraying machine. DHA is a colourless sugar. It interacts with the proteins and amino acids in the outer layer of your skin to produce a golden brown color.
Most spray tans contain an instant cosmetic bronzer that gives you a color guide and instant color when you are first sprayed. These instant cosmetic bronzers will wash away after your first shower and have no impact on the end result for your tan. It’s not the amount of cosmetic bronzers that make the individual solutions darker from one another, it’s the amount of DHA in the solution that creates varying results.
The spray tan will contain various amounts of DHA depending on the solution you choose. The DHA starts to activate immediately, 60% of this process is complete after the first hour yet the actual tan will continue to develop over the next 24 hours. All the cosmetic instant bronzers will wash off when showering. Your therapist will tell you how long to wait until you can bathe or shower depending on your skin color and how dark you want your tan.
HOW DHA WORKS
Spray tan solution has an active ingredient called DHA, or dihydroxyacetone, that is applied to your skin using a specialist low pressure spray tan machine. The sunless tanning agent is FDA approved and is the most popular way to achieve a natural looking tan without being exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun or tanning bed. DHA is a carbohydrate often derived from plant sources such as sugar cane and taken through synthetic processing. It causes a non-toxic chemical reaction with the outermost layers of the skin that react to produce different tones of coloration from yellow to brown. The pigments are called melanoids which are similar in coloration to melanin, the natural brown substance found in the deeper skin layers after UV exposure, which leads to a delayed development of a natural tan.
TAN DEPTH
The depth of tan will depend on the % strength of the DHA within the product. Overall depth and intensity of tan achieved will also depend on the consumer’s own, natural melanin content and thickness of the skin’s stratum corneum. The tan is more intense where the stratum corneum is thicker (knees and elbows) and less intense where the layer is thin (face). In order to achieve a uniform result, you must remove loose scales from the skin before applying DHA (exfoliating, followed by moisturizing).
LONGEVITY
The artificial tan immediately appears on the skin’s surface and will continue to dark over 24 hours depending on the formulation. Once the tan has set, it becomes waterproof and will not wash away with soap or water. It will fade gradually over 5 to 10 days, in conjunction with the skin’s normal exfoliation process. Exfoliation, prolonged water submersion, or heavy perspiration can lighten the tan, contributing to rapid dead skin cell exfoliation.
OTHER FACTORS
It’s also good to consider pH levels of the skin and formulation. An alkaline pH causes the tan to look orange, whereas a slightly acidic pH reduces the color problem.
A surplus of water in any formulation can hinder the tanning reaction; there is optimum water content for both the formulation and skin required to achieve the best results.
A balanced formulation will maintain moisture in the skin, the correct pH balance, and the odor reaction of protein and DHA. Unlike melanin pigments, the DHA-derived polymers do not absorb significant amounts of UV light, and therefore, cannot protect against UVB radiation.
Every MineTan product is scientifically proven to work with all of the factors mentioned, developing a deeper, longer-lasting, and odorless tanning result. Refer to each MineTan product for developing and washing times.
ADVICE FOR CLIENTS
Giving your clients plenty of information and advice on best practices before and after their spray tan application will enhance their overall experience with you.
Before
Exfoliate and moisturize
24 hours before you apply your self-tan, paying particular attention to elbows, knees, ankles, and problem areas.
Avoid using
high pH shower products, or in-shower moisturizers for the entire 24 hours before your treatment.
Wax or shave at least 48 hours prior to treatment.
This allows the pores time to close. Dotting in pores may appear if not adhered to.
Don’t apply moisturizer, perfume, deodorant or makeup on the day of application.
These products may act as a barrier against your skin and can prevent the DHA tanning actives from developing evenly.
After
Wear dark loose clothing.
Tight clothing or underwear may cause marks. Wear shoes that slide on or are loose-fitting.
Shower lightly in cold - lukewarm water
for 45 seconds after the first hour for a light to medium tan. The longer the tan is left on, the darker the tan (no longer than 8 hours).
Shower in plain water
don’t use shower gels, scrubs, shampoos or a loofah during the first 24 hours after your treatment.
Pat dry and use aftercare products
including moisturizers and gradual tanners after your first shower to extend the life of your tan. Moisturizing daily ensures long-lasting results that fade evenly.
Avoid sweating
and don’t exercise or swim for the first 24 hours after your spray tan treatment.
Try not to touch your skin during development time.
Any marks on your hands, therefore, are due to your hands touching the developing tan which can cause discolored, darker hands compared to the rest of the body which can be difficult to remove.
Long exposure to water and sweating
from exercise will fade your spray tan. Your outer cells will start to soak up water which dilutes the effect of the tan. The longer you are in water the lighter your tan will get.