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What is Airbrush Tanning?
Airbrush tanning is done using an air compressor and airbrush to apply tanning
solution to give you the look of a tan that lasts up to a week.
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How does Airbrush
Tanning work?
The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is Dihyroxyacetone (DHA).
It is derived from a natural vegetable source such as sugar cane or sugar
beets. DHA is a colorless sugar that causes the proteins and amino acids in the
outer layer of your skin to react with the oxygen in the air to produce a
brownish color, creating the illusion of a tan. You are not applying a dye to your skin. You are causing
your skin to develop a natural bronze color on its own through a chemical
reaction.
In addition to
containing DHA, sunless tanning products contain an immediate bronzer.
While DHA develops a bronze color over time, the bronzer causes an immediate
color on your skin. The immediate bronzer is used to facilitate
application, making it easier to see where you have spray tanned and where
you have not. The immediate bronzer lasts until you take a shower. The
color that remains is from the DHA.
Sunless tanners do not
protect your skin from the sun, so be sure to apply sunscreen regularly.
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Is it safe?
Yes. DHA has been FDA approved for personal care use for
over 20 years. There are no harmful effects other than minor skin
irritation for those who are allergic. Allergies to DHA are rare.
It is not recommended for pregnant women to use DHA simply to err on the
side of safety.
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Why are Airbrush Tans better than Misting Booth
Tans or Tanning Creams?
Airbrush Tanning uses a precision instrument
a little larger than the size of a pen that allows
for smooth, flawless application. Special care can be taken on
difficult areas, such as the feet, knees, elbows, hairline, and face.
Once an Airbrush Tanning kit is initially purchased, the cost of the tanning
solution ends up being just over $3 per tan.
Misting booths give you little control over where the
misting tan ends up. The results are often flawed and
blotchy. You usually are required to wear a shower cap, which can
leave a strange tan line along your hairline. Misting booth
instructions can be complicated and difficult to follow. They can call
for convoluted movements and twists in order to get an all-over tan.
Finally, misting booth tans at the salon can be very expensive, ranging from
$35 to $85 per application.
Tanning creams applied by hand often result in an uneven,
unnatural tan. They can leave your hands stained with a deep orange
color or, if you wash your hands after applying, can leave your hands
without any color, leaving you with an odd tan line at your wrists.
Streaky, blotchy color can also occur. Although inexpensive
individually, the cost of these tanning creams can add up when you are
forced to buy brand after brand trying to find one that works.
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How long do Airbrush Tans last?
Airbrush tans last around 5 to 7 days. Like real
tans, airbrush tans fade with time. Moisturizing increases the life of
your airbrush tan. Try using our Bronzer Drops, boost the intensity of
the immediate bronze color and aid in the exfoliation of your skin,
resulting in a longer lasting tan. Long showers decrease the life of your tan.
See the Products that lighten/dull your Airbrush Tan section for more
information.
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How long does it take to apply your Airbrush Tan?
A complete airbrush tan all over your body
takes about 20
minutes - -15 minutes to apply your airbrush tan and 5 minutes to dry.
If you use the Quick Application Tanning
System, your application time can be cut to under 5 minutes.
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How long does it take for an Airbrush Tan to
develop?
An airbrush tan using the Tanning
Solution with 8% DHA will fully develop over the course of 8
hours. Wait 10 to 12 hours before showering.
For those of you who need faster tanning
results, you can purchase the Fast Acting Solution with either 10% or 12%
DHA. Full color
develops within 4 hours.
This way you'll be ready for those spur of the moment events.
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What kind of results can you expect?
The immediate bronzer will produce immediate color which
will later wash off. The DHA should result in a tan that is 1 to 2
shades darker.
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Which Tanning Solution is right for
you?
8% DHA Tanning Solution is perfect for light
skinned individuals who prefer a more subtle airbrush tan.
10% or 12% DHA Tanning Solutions are for
people who prefer a darker airbrush tan. The 10% DHA Tanning Solution
is best for light to medium skinned individuals, while the 12% DHA Tanning
Solution is better for medium to dark skinned individuals. Both the
10% and the 12% DHA Solutions will result in a fully developed tan in only 4
hours.
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How much Airbrush Tan solution is used per spray
tan?
Approximately 2 to 4 ounces are used per spray tan.
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What is the difference between the Home Spray Tan Kit & the Quick
Application Tanning System?
The
Quick
Application Tanning
System
or
Deluxe Quick
Application Tanning
System
both contain the 300T quick
application spray gun, which gives you a 4-5 inch
spray pattern & can cut your application time
to under 5 minutes. These systems work particularly well for those that
frequently do full body spray tans. The
Home Spray Tan
Kit
contains the H-model airbrush, which is easy to handle (as it is about the
size of a pen) and works especially well for areas that take extra care,
such as the face.
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Preparation before you Airbrush Tan
Prior to your Airbrush Tan, exfoliate your skin, removing
dead cells and body oils. Remove any makeup, deodorants, and
moisturizers, which all impede the Airbrush Tan.
Airbrush Tan can rub off on clothing directly after your
application. Natural fibers and baggy clothes are best. If color
does rub off on your clothing, it usually does come off during a normal wash
cycle. Nylon, lycra, spandex, and wool have a greater chance of
staining.
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Airbrush Tan Procedure
Remove all makeup, deodorants, perfumes, and lotions.
You may choose to wear undergarments or a swim suit, giving you natural tan
lines. Tie back your hair. Hands, feet, knees, belly buttons,
ankles, nails, and elbows can sometimes turn out darker than other areas, so
you may choose to apply a thick moisturizer such as body butter on these
areas to lessen the tanning effects.
It may help to have someone else apply the Airbrush Tan on
you, especially on the hard to reach places.
Take a normal stance with your legs slightly apart.
Use small circular motions while spraying the Airbrush. In order to
avoid darker spots, start moving the Airbrush in a circular motion before
you actually begin spraying. Stay about 6 inches from your body.
Start at your ankle, working your way up your thigh.
Bend your knee when spraying it, tightening the skin. Be careful
not to spray too much on your knee. Then do the back and sides of
your leg. Switch legs.
Start spraying your torso at your bikini line. Do
the front and back of your torso and chest, moving up towards your neck.
Spray your buttocks, bending over in order to spray the underside.
Spray your shoulders and neck.
Spray the front and sides of one arm. Completely
finish one arm before moving to the other. Spray lightly on your
hands, bending your fingers in order to get your knuckles.
Lightly spray the tops of your feet. Be careful to
not spray too much on your toes and the sides of your feet.
Spray you face, starting with your forehead. Close
your eyes. Hold your breath as you spray around the nose area.
Do not spray directly into your nose. Spray the sides of your face and
the lower section, paying attention to the jaw line and underneath your
chin.
Go back and do any touchups on missing or lighter areas.
If you make a mistake throughout the Airbrush Tanning
process, simply pat gently with a paper towel or sponge. Do not rub.
Drying will take 5 to 10 minutes.
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Application Safety
Airbrush tan is for external use only. Do not spray
your eyes and avoid breathing in the mist. Airbrush tan in a
ventilated room.
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Products that lighten/dull your Airbrush Tan
Anti-acne products
Masks and scrubs
Anti-aging products
Hair removing products
Shaving with a dull razor
Excessive rubbing
Hot tubs
Chlorine
Bug sprays
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Can you tan with the sun or tanning bed with an
Airbrush Tan?
Yes. Airbrush Spray Tans offer no protection against
ultraviolet rays, so be sure to apply sunscreen regularly. Repeated exposure to UV rays and the sun causes
cancer. Furthermore, tanning dries out your skin,
shortening the life of your Airbrush Tan.
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Cleaning Your Airbrush System
Use water to flush out and clean your
Airbrush after using and after long periods of disuse.
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Troubleshooting
If your Airbrush Tan turns out too dark, there are several
ways to lighten your tan:
Soak in warm water
Exfoliate
Use lemon juice
Use hydrogen peroxide
Use body hair bleach
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Further Questions
Contact us with any further questions and we'd be glad to
answer them.
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