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How does
spray tanning work?
At the
TAN Co, spray tanning is done by a person rather than in a booth. This
provides a personal touch and ensures that you get full coverage and the
proper colour. It is done in a private, ventilated room. The
spray solution consists of two components - the actual bronzing agent itself
(DHA - see below) and a "colour guide" that gives you instant colour and
allows the technician to ensure even coverage. You keep this solution on
your skin for 6+ hours, which allows the DHA to blend into your skin. After
that, you shower off the colour guide, leaving you with your actual tan.
What does
the laser do?
The spray gun has two laser beams that project
from the gun. When these two beams converge on a single spot, the gun is
the ideal distance away from the skin to give the best coverage with the least
amount of overspray.
How long
does the spray session last?
From start
to finish, the session will take about 20 minutes, with the actual session
itself taking
about 10 minutes. The rest is dressing, undressing and preparation.
Who
applies it?
All spray tanning is performed by
one of our technicians,
all of whom have been trained in proper spray tanning techniques and has been certified
in sunless tanning technologies and spray application. We have two
technicians available at various times. Once you have had a technician
apply your tan for the first time, we will endeavour to book future
appointments with the same technician unless you wish to change. This
provides some consistency in your care and gives you a level of comfort that
the person knows how to work with you to give you the best colour.
What do I wear during my
spray session?
This is a decision of the client and depends on your amount of tan you
desire. Most clients wear an old bathing suit or undergarments. For the top a
strapless bra is best, but a regular one will do - just tuck in the straps. For
the bottoms you can wear briefs, boxers, bikini or thong.
Some clients, in
effort to avoid lines, prefer to go topless or nude - it's entirely up to your level of
comfort. The technician is a professional and will be discreet and respectful.
Due to possible interaction between the solution and mucous membranes, it is
necessary for males to wear some sort of undergarment for their spray
session.
Note that the tanning agents used here do not stain; they will wash out with
normal laundering.
Is it blotchy or uneven?
Does it look fake?
No, it is a natural, golden, even coloured tan every time.
We interact
with the client during the session and do a thorough job to ensure that colour
is applied evenly. The client will be asked to look at themselves to make sure
that the tan is exactly what they wanted.
How long do I have to wait
to shower?
As long as possible, preferably until the next day - but at minimum 6-8
hours. It takes at least 8 hours for the solution to fully be absorbed into your
skin and react with amino acids to create the full color.
What is
in the tanning solution?
The active
ingredient in the solution is DHA (dihdyroxyacetone), which is a safe, simple,
three-carbon sugar derived from sugar beets cooked into liquid form. When
applied, DHA reacts with proteins and amino acids in the skin to form a deep
golden brown colour. It is FDA approved an is used as a delayed-action bronzer
in many of the tanning lotions used for tanning beds.
The other
major ingredient in our solution is Aloe Vera.
Some self-tanning products and spray booths
turn my skin orange. Will this happen with your spray solution?
No. The solution used is uniquely
formulated to virtually eliminate any "oranging" effects associated with other
self-tanning products.
How long does the tan last?
The DHA reacts with only the upper layer of the skin and therefore will last
only 7-10 days, depending on what type of skin you have and how you care for
it (moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!). Other factors include daily activities
(shaving, swimming, athletics, etc) and clothing. Anything that rubs on the skin can contribute to
its fading.
How does a spray tan compare with a UV (sunbed)
tan?
It would take approximately 6-8 sessions in
a tanning bed to achieve the colour provided from one spray tan. However, spray
tans will wear off sooner than a UV tan since the solution only sits on the
surface of the skin.
In addition:
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Spray tanning allows persons with Type
1 skin (no tanning potential) to get some colour, as there is no UV light
involved in spray tanning.
-
UV tans require one, maybe two, sessions per
week to maintain the colour. Spray tans require a repeat session every
5-8 days to maintain the colour.
-
UV tans last longer as the tan goes
deeper than just the surface layer of the skin. Spray tans darken only
the upper-most layer.
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Left on their own, spray tans will
fade in about 10 days, UV tans will fade in 25-30 days.
Can I use a sunless spray session in
addition to a regular tanning bed?
Yes. In fact the spray tanning results are
even better if the spray is done immediately after a UV tan in a tanning bed.
We offer a double-dip solution that combines these technologies: five minutes in
our stand-up booth followed immediately by the spray session. The heat and UV
from the booth ensures that the pores are open in your skin, allowing for
optimal penetration by the spray solution.
I'm pregnant. Can I still get a sunless tan?
It is
recommended that sunless tanning be done only after the first trimester.
It is always wise to consult with your doctor befor making any decisions
regarding tanning in general, whether UV or sunless.
I have psoriasis/excema. Will this cause a
problem with sunless tanning?
We recommend against sunless
tanning when you have one of these conditions. Because of what
they do to the skin, they will likely cause the solution to go on unevenly.
Research has shown that UV light can help these conditions, please discuss
this option with your doctor. Once the condition has cleared up, a
sunless tan becomes a possibility
Will my sprayed tan give me any protection
from the sun?
No. This is simply a sprayed-on bronzer
with no sun protection. If you are going outdoors please wear sunscreen.
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