Sunless Spray Tanning FAQ

This content was found on Soleil Tans

Before starting your spray tan session in a reliable tanning salon, you should ask relevant questions from the staff. Your main goal is to ensure that, indeed, you know exactly what you are going into, what you can get out of it and how you can enjoy its benefits to the fullest.

Is the Procedure and Product Safe?
The best tanning salon uses products with FDA-approved dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the primary active ingredient. The substance has no known toxicity to humans and has been proven effective in chemically yet temporarily changing the color of skin from its natural tone to golden brown.

The result: A golden tan with a healthy radiance that mimics sunbathing under the warm Caribbean sun but without the actual sun exposure. Such is the high level of safety of any spray tan product that the American Association of Dermatologists considers it to be the most effective sunless tanning method.

Still, it is best to protect your eyes, lips and nose during any spray tan session because it can lead to irritation in these sensitive areas. The staff of your favorite tanning salon will provide the appropriate protective gear for this purpose including under-eye cream and goggles. Just make sure not to inhale or ingest the product and you should be just fine in the hands of these tanning professionals.


Is It Suitable for All Adults?
Unfortunately, not all individuals will enjoy the benefits of a sunless golden tan for several reasons.

• Individuals with mottled, freckled and sun-damaged skin as well as scars because the fine mist will be unevenly applied on the skin. These flaws in the skin will stand out from the rest of the tanned skin after the application of the spray tan.
• Individuals with extremely dry and flaky skin because the fine mist will also result in a patchy, blotchy and uneven tan.

The good news is that most individuals can benefit from spray tanning products. There are certain steps to take before the spray tanning session can start including full body exfoliation and moisturization. These steps are essential in ensuring that the skin has a sufficiently smooth surface – no rough patches of dead skin cells, dirt, dust and grime – on which the spray tan mist can be applied on. Also, the use of a non-oil moisturizer on the skin speeds up the penetration of the fine mist particles; dry and flaky skin prevents such a process.

Does It Smear and Stain? Does It Smell?
The fine mist is colorless but it can stain your clothes. The good news: It can easily be washed off. Still, you will not want to wear your favorite white clothes – shorts, shirts or underwear – because the DHA can stick to the clothes after application. Just use the disposable protective clothing items provided by the salon for the spray tan session and you should be just fine.

As for the smell, most of these sunless tanning products are scentless especially the water-based ones. You will notice a slightly starchy smell even after you have showered but it will soon go away in a day.