When it comes to sunless tanning, airbrush tanning is one of the newer trends.
Once only available to movie stars and other celebrities, airbrush tanning is now commonly available in your neighborhood spa or tanning salon, and more and more people are realizing that if they want a truly even tan with the least chance of streaks or orange color, having a professional airbrush tan procedure is the best way to go.
As with any relatively new product or procedure, people have questions or are curious to find out more about the new thing. Here are some common questions people have about airbrush tanning (some of your questions might be on this list):
Q: Why choose airbrush tanning over traditional tanning?
A: Traditional tanning, including sunbathing and tanning beds, expose your skin to high levels of UV rays, and prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV rays can cause skin problems such as skin cancer, wrinkles, freckles, early aging, etc. Tanning sprays and booths, on the other hand, have to be very carefully and meticulously applied in order to achieve an even and natural look.
Meanwhile, other sunless tanning products like lotions, mousse, creams, and gels are the same, requiring a lot of practice or trials before you can achieve the right tan.
Airbrush tanning is professionally applied, and trained technicians will be more equipped to figure out the right solution for your tanning needs and skin type. It also removes the risk of your skin getting burns from overexposure to UV rays.
Q: How do I prepare for an airbrush tanning session?
A: Much of the skin preparation for airbrush tanning is similar to other self tanning methods.
Prior to the airbrush tanning, showering and exfoliating are recommended. Exfoliating the skin will remove dead skin cells from the top layer, and this will make your skin more prepared to absorb the solution as well as prolong the tan.
Deodorants, body antiperspirants, cologne, and other cosmetic products should not be used during the session.
Q: How long do I have to wait before showering?
A: In order to maximize the development process of the DHA in airbrush tanning solution, users are recommended to wait at least 12 hours before showering, or even being involved in other water activities such as swimming or hot tubs.
In order to minimize the fading effect of water on your tan, keep your skin moisturized and hydrated (ask your specialist for recommended brands of after-tan lotions and moisturizers). Sunscreen also helps minimize the fading effect on your tan.
Q: Will it stain your clothes?
A: No, as long as you wait for your tan to dry completely before dressing. During the airbrush tanning session, it is recommended that you wear very light clothing (swimwear is the norm).
Tanning specialists have reported that DHA reacts with wool, nylon and silk fabrics, so avoid clothing made from these fabrics when you go to the airbrush tanning establishment.
Q: How long will the airbrush tan last?
A: The average airbrush tan lasts between 7-10 days, after which you will need another refreshment session.
Keeping your skin moisturized will minimize the fading, and as you build a base tan for your skin tone, frequency of sessions will be further apart over time.
Want more tips to make your spray tan last longer? Check out: How To Get Your Spray Tan To Last Longer