![]() Sunless tanning solutions have evolved dramatically in the last 25 years. Consumers can walk into a salon lily white and walk out with a deep, golden tan, 5 minutes later; in fact some tan systems process in 36 seconds. Best of all, there is no sun involved at all.
Consumers can choose a tan booth, manual self tan application or solarium. All options are extended with appropriate home care preparations. While solarium devotees still exist, the principals of supply and demand place spray on tan as the
option most widely available.
In essence, self tan preparations and spray on tans work in the same manner. The active ingredient causes a catalytic reaction when exposed to the dead skin cells on the stratum corneum (outermost layer of epidermis). The reaction facilitates the appearance of a tan. The most widely used active ingredient in self or spray tans is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is derived from sugar and has been used in food and cosmetics for many years. DHA is approved by the FDA (with professional guidelines) and recognized by Australia’s TGA.
A lot of consumers have had bad experiences with self tan products that resulted in streaking, uneven colour, or an undesirable orange colour. Typically, streaking occurs when the skin has not been prepared in the appropriate manner and the orange appearance occurs when too much product has been absorbed by the skin. Effective exfoliation prior to tan application is essential.
When exfoliating, concentrate on areas that dead skin cells accumulate such as the knees, elbows, knuckles and ankles. Some salons will adjust the service price for skin that has been exfoliated prior to treatment.
Your sunless tan will fade gradually over a 3 – 7 day period. Maintaining surface hydration levels with a topically applied moisturising lotion will increase the life of your tan. If you like the sun kissed look, simply exfoliate thoroughly, and reapply your sunless tanning solution.
Tanning booths are private cubicles decked out with strategically placed misting nozzles which allows privacy and maintains modesty for both male and female consumers. The misting system facilitates a uniformed colour because the tanning solution is polarized and coats all areas of the body evenly. Many salons offer a pre-paid package of 10 – 20 visits for a reduced price.
With almost 300 000 Australian’s choosing solariums to achieve a sunless tan it is vital to be sun smart and realize sun damage can also occur from irresponsible solarium use. There is a voluntary industry standard for safe solarium usage which was developed in conjunction with the cancer council and standards Australia. If your salon complies with this ethical standard, they will display the standard and the voluntary code of conduct in a prominent place in the salon.
It is worth noting that self and spray tans offer absolutely no sun protection and that application of a high protection sun screen is advisable when ever exposed to ultra violet radiation.
Sharon Lewin is a Bachelor of Health Science in Aesthetics Therapy info@globalbeautyconcepts.com | 