Question 1

What can I expect before, during and after my airbrush tan?

Accepted Answer

:::B E F O R E:::
Shaving/Waxing/Nail/Hair: Any regular waxing, shaving, nail and hair appointments should be done at least 24 hours in advance.
 
Shower: Recommended with a natural, non-moisturizing soap. Do not use bar soap or anything similar as it can strip and fade your tan.

Exfoliate: This process will remove dead cells from the skin’s surface to help in the renewal process. We suggest a product that is designed specifically for sunless tanning. Clean and PH balanced skin tan best.

Barriers: To ensure optimal color, please AVOID the following as they create a barrier that the solution cannot penetrate: Makeup, perfume, cologne, lotions & deodorants

Clothing: Be ready to change into dark, loose-fitting clothing. Wear open toed shoes and use proper protection if you need to leave the house during inclimate weater.

TL;DR

Get all appointments done 24 hours before your appointment; nails, hair, waxing, laser, etc
 
Shower, shave and exfoliate before your appointment because clean, even skin tans the best.
 
Do not apply anything to the skin that will create a barrier such as makeup, deodorant, lotion and even perfume.
 
Wear dark, loose-fitting clothing after your appointment while waiting for your first rinse!
 
Don't get wet or sweaty and just chill (:

:::D U R I N G:::
We will discuss your tan goals and I will assess your skin tone to create the perfect custom color solution. 
 
Be aware that any undergarment you leave on will leave a tan line. Bottom undergarments are recommended per FDA but not required. 
 
You will go through different poses so that I can airbrush you with a handheld spray gun. It is a very fine mist and feels like a cool breeze. It is important that the client does not sweat so the breeze must be cool. 
 
Try to avoid any skin on skin contact during the application process such as putting your arms down at your side.
 
We will end with some finishing powder that will prevent any creasing and make you feel silky and dry while you wait to rinse.
 
Do not put on any tight clothing or undergarments after your airbrush tan. Wear dark, loose-fitting clothing to ensure the best airbrush tan results.

:::A F T E R:::
When we are done with the application, you may get dressed into dark, loose-fitting clothing. Do not put on anything tight, including tight undergarments (ie sports bra). 
 
Avoid sweating and water while waiting for your first rinse. Avoid touching your airbrush tan as it can transfer color to your palms and look unnatural. Avoid skin on skin contact such as crossing your bare legs. Although your dog loves you, they also enjoy the sweet taste of our solution--their kisses can lead to uneven results.
 
For Classic Rinse, you will need to wait a minimum of 8 hours before rinsing. Most clients choose this option because they want to sleep in their solution. Wear long sleeves and long pants and avoid sleeping with your head resting on your hands.
 
For Rapid Rinse, you will need to wait between 1-4 hours to rinse. This is a higher concentrated solution which allows you to shower quickly. If it is left on for longer than recommended, you risk an unnatural result. Every skin type is different, but generally speaking 1 hour is light, 2 hours is medium, 3 hours is dark and 4 hours and very dark. Clients who hate sitting around in solution love this option because they can rinse sooner.
 
For Clear Rinse, you will need to wait between 2-24 hours to rinse. Clients who love wearing the color white prefer the bronzer free option. *more details to come
 
Your first rinse will be lukewarm water only to rinse off the color guide/cosmetic bronzer on the skin. Rinse until the water runs clear in the shower. Pat dry gently with a towel. You may also use a light, unscented lotion on the skin free of alcohol, fragrance, mineral oil, sulfates and parabens.
 
Once you complete your second shower a day after your appointment, you still want to maintain the life of your airbrush tan. Avoid excessive sweating. Avoid hot tubs, pools, saunas and even the salt water ocean. Be cautious of the skin care products you are using as they may cause your tan to fade. Perfume should be applied to clothing and hair, not directly onto the skin. Any exfoliating products in the shower may also shorten the life of your tan. If you need to shave as time goes on, use a fresh razor and be gentle to the skin.

Question 2

How does airbrush tanning work?

Accepted Answer

Airbrush tanning is using a hand held spray gun to apply a custom sunless tanning solution. There are various ingredients in sunless tanning solution, but the active ingredient that give you the appearance of a suntan is called Dihydroxyacetone aka DHA. It is often derived from plant sources such as sugar beets and sugar cane, and by the fermentation of glycerin.
 
In the 1970s the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added DHA permanently to their list of approved cosmetic ingredients.
 
DHA-based sunless tanning has been recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology Association, Canadian Dermatology Association and the American Medical Association as a safer alternative to sun-bathing.
 
DHA reacts with the amino acids or proteins in the layer of dead skin cells that sit on the outermost layer of the skin. When dihydroxyacetone reacts with these amino acids it forms brown colored melaninoids. This is why it is essential to prep for your tan by showering, shaving an exfoliating. This is also why we want to be gentle with our skin and avoid anything that will exfoliate or strip the tan off.

Question 3

Is airbrush tanning safe? What are the FDA guidelines?

Accepted Answer

The key ingredient in most sunless tanning products is Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) – a color additive that darkens the skin by reacting with amino acids in the skin’s surface. A simple carbohydrate, it is often derived from plant sources.
 
While DHA has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for external application to your skin, the use of DHA solution in tanning booths as an all-over spray has not been approved by the FDA, since data to support the safety of this use has not been submitted to the Agency for review and evaluation.
 
For spray-tanning, the FDA recommends consumers request the tanning salon provide protective measures to prevent contact with the eyes, lips or mucous membrane (nose), as well as inhalation or ingestion of the spray solution, including:
• Protective Garments
• Protective Eyewear
• Nose Filter
• Lip Balm
 
If you have additional concerns, you should consult with your doctor prior to spray tanning. To access the FDA’s complete position on DHA use, please visit www.FDA.gov and search “DHA”.

Question 4

Can I go swimming with an airbrush tan?

Accepted Answer

Chemicals in chlorinated pools can shorten the life of your tan by exfoliating your skin off faster than usual.
 
Hot tubs also run the risk of chemicals with the addition of heat and friction (bubbles/jets in the water) which will also shorten the life of your tan.
 
Salt water, whether in a swimming pool or the ocean, is better than chlorinated water, but will still shorten the life of your tan.

Question 5

What is the difference between airbrush tanning and a spray tanning booth?

Accepted Answer

The main difference is the application process leading to a better overall result.
 
Similar to the self check out machines at the grocery store vs going to a cashier. The cashier knows exactly how to use their computer and register to get you out of the store as fast as possible, while still providing a great service and making no mistakes. Using self check out machines, you need to learn the computer which usually keeps you in there longer. In addition, an attendant is bound to come over at some point to help you out. 
 
There are many fancy spray tan booths on the market now that claim to scan your body and provide a personalized tan. These have a large learning curve and huge room for error. Because tans last 5-7 days, you do not want to walk around physically with any mistakes. 
 
While is may seem cheaper to use a spray tanning booth, do it the right way and book a custom airbrush tanning session, especially if you are new!
 
We all know that one size does not fit all, so why would that be different for tanning?

Question 6

How long should I wait to shower?

Accepted Answer

After your airbrush tan application, you will need to have a rinse and NOT a shower. The timing of your first rinse depends on the type of solution you have been sprayed with. When you do have a rinse, it is meant to be lukewarm and you will see the cosmetic bronzer coming off your body.
 
Classic Rinse: At least 8 hours.
 
Rapid Rinse: 1-4 hours depending on desired results. Generally speaking, 1 hour = light, 2 hours = medium, 3 hours = dark, 4 hours = very dark.
 
Clear Rinse: This will also depend if you are using the rapid or classic solution.

Question 7

Can you get an airbrush spray tan when you're pregnant?

Accepted Answer

This is a decision to be made between yourself, your family and your doctor. I can provide you all of the ingredients in my solutions as well as all FDA recommended protective gear for your doctor's review and approval.

Question 8

Will I turn orange?

Accepted Answer

Orange results are caused by cheap sunless tanning solutions, oversaturation and PH imbalances. 
 
I only use the highest quality sunless tanning solutions which are thoroughly vetted. 
 
My application techniques are custom to each skin type and tone, so I would not apply multiple coats of solution to clients who would see an unnatural result. Oversaturation can occur if a client does not rinse off their spray tan at the proper time. Always set an alarm on your phone to ensure you take your first rinse on time. 
 
PH imbalances are eliminated with proper preparation, PH balancing spray and proper aftercare. Certain bar soaps and products can affect the PH of your skin, causing an unnatural result.

Question 9

Does it smell bad?

Accepted Answer

Cheaper, lower quality sunless tanning solutions usually have a bad smell. Most clients that ask this question are familiar with drug store self tanners that usual pack a pungent odor. 
 
I only offer high quality solution that have improved technology that is odor free with proprietary odor fighting ingredients. . 
 
While rare, I do believe everyone's skin is different and there is always a possibility of this not being the case. If you have a history of negative odors caused by sunless tanning, we do offer a rapid rinse option so that you only need to keep the sunless tanning solution on your body for no longer than 4 hours (1 hour = light, 2 hours = medium, 3 hours = dark, 4 hours = very dark).

Question 10

Will the bronzers stain my clothes or sheets?

Accepted Answer

Our cosmetic bronzers in our sunless tanning solution as water soluble so that they will wash out of most fabrics. This is why we recommend wearing dark, loose-fitting clothing after your session and up until your first rinse.
 
Once you complete your first rinse, which rinses off the cosmetic bronzers in the sunless tanning solution, you do not need to worry about any color transferring to any fabrics.
 
We also offer a clear rinse sunless tanning solution option that is clear and does not contain any cosmetic bronzers.

Question 11

What are the ingredients in your solutions?

Accepted Answer

:::C l a s s i c  R i n s e:::

Aqua (distilled water), Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), Denatured Alcohol (SDA 40B), Glycerin (Plant Derived) Kosher 99.7% ,Ordenone, Phenoxyethanol ,Polysorbate 80 ,Polyacrylamide (&) C13 - (E-gel 305), Aloe Barbadensis Gel (Organic), Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Extract (Organic), Grapefruit Seed Extract (Organic), Zingiber Officinale Roscoe (Ginger Root) Extract (Organic) ,Vitamin A.C.E. Complex ,Citric Acid ,,FD&C Red 33 FD&C Red 40, FD&C Yellow 5 ,FD&C Blue 1, Black MX-295 (Proprietary Pigment)

Aqua (distilled water), Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) ,Denatured Alcohol (SDA 40B), Glycerin (Plant Derived) Kosher 99.7%, Ordenone ,Phenoxyethanol ,Polysorbate 80 ,Polyacrylamide (&) C13 - (E-gel 305), Zingiber Officinale Roscoe (Ginger Root)Extract (Organic) ,Caprylic Trigryceride ,Vitamin A.C.E Complex, Aloe Barbadensis Gel (Organic) ,Citric Acid ,FD&C Red 40 ,FD&C Red 33 ,FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Yellow 5

Aqua (Distilled Water),Dihydroxyacetone (DHA),Denatured Alcohol (SDA 40B),Glycerin (Plant Derived) Kosher 99.7% (Organic), Ordenone, Phenoxyethanol, L-Erythrulose, Egel 305,Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract,Lemon Peel Extract (Organic),Vitamin A.C.E Complex, Aloe Barbadensis Gel (Organic) ,Citric Acid, Red 40,Red 33,Blue 1,Yellow 5,Yellow 6

Aqua (distilled water) ,Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) ,Denatured Alcohol (SDA 40B), Glycerin (Plant Derived) Kosher 99.7% ,Ordenone ,Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80 ,Polyacrylamide (&) C13 - (E-gel 305), Centipeda Cunninghamii (Cehami) Extract (Organic), Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract (Yerba mate) (Organic), Euterpe Oleracea (Acai Berry) Fruit Extract (Organic), Aloe Barbadensis Gel (Organic) ,Citric Acid ,FD&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5, FD&C Yellow 6, FD&C Blue 1

:::R a p i d  R i n s e:::

Aqua (distilled water) Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) Denatured Alcohol (SDA 40B) Glycerin (Plant Derived) Kosher 99.7% Ordenone Phenoxyethanol Polysorbate 80 Polyacrylamide (&) C13 - (E-gel 305) Aloe Barbadensis Gel (Organic) Emblica Officinalis (Gooseberry) Fruit Extract(Organic) Lycium Barbarum L (Goji Berry/Wolfberry)Fruit Extract (Organic) Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract (Organic) Vitamin A.C.E. Complex Citric Acid FD&C Red 33 FD&C Yellow 5 FD&C Yellow 6 FD&C Blue 2

:::C l e a r  R i n s e:::

Aqua (water) Dixydroxyacetone, Glycerin (Plant derived) , Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojobs) Seed oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Camellia Sinensis leaf Extract (White Tea Extract), Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (Green tea extract), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Question 12

Anything else I should know?

Accepted Answer

An airbrush tan is 40% me and 60% you. 
 
I can provide the best solutions, applications, products, recommendations and more, but the success of your airbrush tan is dependant upon you! 
 
Clients need to properly prepare the skin and maintain the skin for the best possible outcome.

Frequently asked questions