UV-Tanning Tips
Be conservative with exposure times
Be conservative with exposure times
Be conservative with exposure times
Burning will hinder tanning results! The skin cannot tan over a burn. This means that you will have to allow the skin time to heal and essentially “start over.” This wait time is only lengthened when the skin peels. Burning is the skin's natural reaction to overexposure. It is the skin telling you its had too much UV-light.
Burning is best prevented than treated!
Be aware of your medications
Be conservative with exposure times
Be conservative with exposure times
Some medications (both oral and/or topical) can affect the results of your tanning session, making it more difficult to tan or making you more prone to burning! Always consult your physician or pharmacist should you have any questions regarding prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements.
Use a high-quality tanning lotion
Be conservative with exposure times
Use a high-quality tanning lotion
A high-quality tanning lotion will help the skin absorb UV-light which will increase your tanning results dramatically, by up to 40%! Indoor tanning lotions also care for your skin by helping it retain vital moisture that is lost in the tanning process. Electric Tan strives to give you, our valued client, the best tanning results possible using only the finest skin care products in the industry.
Always wear your goggles
Protect your hair, nails, and tattoos
Use a high-quality tanning lotion
Merely closing your eyes or laying a towel over your face is not enough! Your eyelids cannot fully block UV light. Not protecting your eyes while tanning can cause serious eye damage. The eye goggles provided block 99% of UV-light and must be used the full-length of EVERY tanning session! Electric Tan provides its customers with eye goggles that are properly sanitized using a Hospital-Grade disinfectant for each tanning session.
Protect your hair, nails, and tattoos
Protect your hair, nails, and tattoos
Protect your hair, nails, and tattoos
UV-light can dull hair color and tattoos and make acrylic nails turn an orange-color. Protect the hair with a towel or 'Tannie', cover tattoos with an SPF (or use a tanning lotion with tattoo protection in it) and use nail covers or refrain from applying acrylic nails.
Keep your skin well hydrated
Protect your hair, nails, and tattoos
Protect your hair, nails, and tattoos
Healthy, well-hydrated skin absorbs UV-light while dry skin reflects it! Skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are made up of water. Without water, the organs will certainly not function properly or at their best. UV-light takes out essential oils from the skin. Moisturize daily to restore these oils or even twice a day for optimal results! Tan Extenders contain ingredients specifically for a tanner's skin and are highly recommended.
General Spray Tan FAQ
How do sunless solutions work?
The principle tanning agent used in all self-tanning formulas is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This ingredient does not produce a “real tan” by increasing the skin’s melanin levels, rather it creates a tanned appearance by developing a brown color on the surface of the skin. The action of DHA is limited to the upper layer of the skin and involves a reaction between DHA and skin proteins and oxygen that produces brown compounds. This process is similar to what occurs when you slice open an apple and the surface of the apple browns when it’s exposed to the oxygen in the air. The development of color takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and the intensity of color is dependent upon the DHA concentration in the product as well as each tanner’s individual skin characteristics. The color developed by the DHA usually lasts 5 to 7 days and begins to fade as the top layer of the skin naturally exfoliates.
How long will my spray tan last?
The longevity of a sunless tan depends on the type of self-tanning application, the skin’s natural exfoliation process, and on the skincare regimen followed before and after application. On average, self-tanners last 4-7 days. A professional application (sunless tan received at a salon or spa) will last longer than an at-home application as there is usually a greater percentage of DHA used.
- At-home application (lotions, sprays, mousse, etc.) last on average 3 to 5 days.
- Professional application (stand-up spray booths or hand-held spray sessions) last on average 5 to 7 days.
The “life span” of a sunless tan also depends on your skin’s natural exfoliation. The faster your skin turns over, the faster the sunless tan will fade. The tan created by the DHA affects only the top layer of the skin and will begin to fade after 4 to 5 days as the skin naturally begins to exfoliate. Following a good skin care regimen before and after sunless tanning will help a sunless tan last longer. Exfoliating prior to a sunless tanning application and keeping skin moisturized afterwards are essential. Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer will help hydrate skin and maintain even, natural-looking color longer.
How long should I wait to shower after a spray tan session?
DHA solutions take about 16 hours to fully develop. You will receive the best results if you can avoid bathing until the day after the sunless session. If you must bathe, wait a minimum of 6 hours after the application. If showering prior to the 16 hour post application recommendation, a simple rinse with water only, is best. Soap destroys DHA. Delayed bathing allows the DHA bronzer sufficient time to complete its reaction with the amino acids (proteins) within the skin.
Why is keeping skin moisturized essential to maintain great sunless results?
It is important to keep skin moisturized after sunless tanning as dry, flaky skin will slough off faster and color will fade sooner. Your goal is to basically slow down your body’s natural exfoliation process. Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer will help hydrate skin and maintain even, natural-looking color longer by providing subtle bronzers.
How can I prevent patchy or uneven wear-off of sunless solution?
Many individual factors can contribute to patchy or uneven wear-off, as each person’s skin is different.
- Be sure to exfoliate the skin before each sunless session.
- Keep skin hydrated on the inside and out. Moisturizing daily will extend the look of your tan. Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer will also reduce the appearance of uneven wear and patchiness.
- It is also recommended that individuals not spray tan more than 3 times in a 2 week period, to avoid build-up of tanning solution that will contribute to uneven wear-off. For frequent sunless tanning clients use an intensive salt scrub 1 to 2 times per month, to remove sunless tanning build-up.
How do I care for my spray tan?
- Keep the skin well-moisturized.
- Avoid pools/spas/ocean for the first 48 hours after a spray tan session, if possible. Chlorine dries out the skin which caused the tan to wear and fade rapidly. Always rinse chlorine off skin.
- Do not exfoliate until you are ready for another spray tan session.
- Always take "spray tan" showers.
“Spray Tan” Shower:
1. Use mild products. Apply soap in hand, not on washcloth, sponge or loofah. Do not use bar soap on skin.
2. Do not use exfoliation scrubs or sponges.
3. Use warm water. Water that is too hot can dry out the skin.
4. Pat or air dry skin afterward. Do not rub.
5. Can shave as normal.
6. Moisturize afterward to help extend the life of your spray tan! Using a moisturizer with tan extenders or cosmetic bronzers will deposit color with each use and extend the tan.
Norvell Spray Tan FAQ (HAND-HELD & VERSASPA)
What should I wear to and during my Norvell Spray Tan session?
Wear loose fitting, dark-colored clothing. Tight clothing can rub and smear sunless solution. Solution will not stain clothing permanently but will temporarily color light-colored clothing. Remove all jewelry. Dark-colored undergarments or swimwear may be worn during session. Women can wear a thong, go topless, or nude. Men must wear shorts or briefs.
Will I turn orange?
When used as recommended, Norvell’s professional and retail sunless tanning products are formulated to give a natural, "just off the beach" color, starting with their perfectly blended instant cosmetic bronzers which allow you to gently transition into your DHA tan over 24 hours after application. High pH levels in the skin can sometimes give individuals an undesirable, ‘fake’ non-natural looking sunless color. Sunless application on skin that is out of balance due to high pH levels sometimes results in what many people refer to as an ‘orange’ coloring. To prevent this from happening, there are a few things you can do:
- Do not use bar soaps before your sunless session. A properly pH balanced skin cleanser will not elevate pH levels on the skin, and result in more ‘golden brown’ sunless tanning results.
- It is recommended to spray the body with Pre-Sunless xLaTan pH Balancing Spray prior to any sunless application. This product is formulated to lower the pH levels of the skin giving a more golden brown color, and maximizing your sunless results.
- Do not over-apply sunless products. In general, the darker your natural skin tone, the higher concentration of DHA (sunless product) you can apply to the skin and still maintain ‘natural’ color. Generally, those will fair/light skin tones should apply less DHA (sunless product) to the skin to ensure natural looking results. Be sure to not only evaluate how much product you apply to the skin, but what the concentration level of DHA in each product is. Sunless products that are designed to give a darker color may not be desirable for fair skin.
Electric Tan carries 6 different Norvell Sunless solutions to ensure that you are paired with the correct solution for your skin tone.
Does the Norvell Sunless solution have any smell after contact with my skin?
Norvell professional sunless solutions and Norvell retail self-tanning products use advanced DHA odor encapsulation, the newest technology in odor inhibitors, to ‘trap’ odor causing molecules commonly associated with DHA products and virtually eliminate sunless odor.