Day Before Tan:

1. Shave/wax any unwanted body hair 24 hours prior to your appointment. This allows time for the skin to calm, ensuring a flawless and comfortable spray tan. If you shave or wax too close to your scheduled session, the spray tan may seep into your pores and produce dark dots. It can also irritate your skin, especially if it's sensitive. 
2. Complete all spa treatments including manicures/pedicures, facials, massages.
3. Shower and exfoliate entire body. Exfoliation helps remove any dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin, which is important because otherwise they can shed post-tan, which can lead to your glow looking patchy and uneven. DO NOT use Dove body wash (before or after your appointment!)

For best results book your sunless tan 48 hours before a vacation or special event, etc.

Day Of Tan:

Show up to your appointment with clean, bare skin, no: lotions, oil, make-up, perfumes or deodorant. Anything on your skin the day of your tan acts as a barrier to the solution which doesnt allow the DHA (the ingredient that tans you) to penetrate the top layers of your skin which can leave you streaky or uneven the next day. Showering the same day is fine — just be sure to do it at least four hours before your appointment. Your pores are enlarged after a warm shower or bath, so the tanning solution can sit in your pores and create dark-looking spots. Please come in or bring dark, loose clothing with open-toed sandals. No bra or underware if possible, to avoid excessive rubbing, this will help keep your tan even. The looser, the better!

Post Care:

1. Avoid touching your skin before your first shower, the cosmetic bronzer/DHA can transfer to the palms of your hands which can leave you with tanned palms. I understand this is hard to do, so in the case you do touch your skin, use a baby wipe or make up wipe to clean the palms of your hands.
2. Do not sweat, shower or touch anything wet for a minimum of 8 hours (or what ever time is instructed to shower) to give the DHA time to adhere to and be absorbed into the skin. If you get wet anytime before this it will leave a streak. (This includes tears!)
3. Shower at designated time in lukewarm water with no soap, loofahs or washcloths. Pat dry with a towel. MOISTURIZE!

• Remember DHA needs a full 24 hours to fully develop; for instance, if you tan at 10am you wont be at your desired color depth until 10am the following day.

NOTE: For longevity of your tan, avoid excessive: sweating, showering, shaving. Chlorine, hot tubs and saunas will also fade your tan a lot faster.

Best Soaps & Body Wash to Use Before & After a Sunless Tan!?

Most people who get a spray tan think that the longevity of the tan depends solely on the spray tan solution or application. While yes, this does matter, but it also matters how you take care of your tan afterwards that has a huge impact on how long your tan will last. One of the most important factors in making your tan last is the type of soap or body wash you use. There are certain ingredients used that can be harmful and strip your tan off, or they cause your skin to exfoliate faster. Since a spray tan only sticks to the top layer of the skin, once you start to exfoliate, the tan will come off.

So… should you use soap during your first shower? The answer is NO! It is always suggested to avoid soaps, body washes or any other products for your first shower after you tan. You want to give the active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), as long as possible to adhere to and be absorbed into the skin. During the first shower, you want to make sure that you only use lukewarm water to rinse off the bronzer and use your hands to gently rub the bronzer off.

With proper care, a spray tan can last 7-10 days. Ideally, you want to use a product that is as natural as possible and has very few ingredients and no harsh ingredients, such as mineral oil. Soaps or body washes with moisturizing ingredients are also a plus, because moist skin will help to keep your tan on longer and make the color more natural and darker.

• We sell our own 🌿All-Natural Goat Milk Soap Bars here at Bronzed Bella which you'll find near my desk.

Or here is a list of body wash products that you can get from the store that are considered spray tan friendly:

• Native
• Aveeno
• Shea
• Dr. Bronner
• Majestic Pure
• Puracy
• Cetaphil
• Mrs. Meyer’s
• Love Beauty & Planet

Many people that get a sunless tan don’t realize that what they do before and after is so important to obtain a flawless glow. Making sure you are using a good lotion after your spray tan is essential! How long your spray tan will last depend on several factors. Let’s start with the very important question... why do you need to use lotion after you tan?

As you know, well hydrated, fresh skin will not only absorb the spray tan solution better, but maintaining your tan also requires hydrated, moisturized skin. In order to do that, you need to make sure that you are using a lotion that will not “strip” your tan. Certain ingredients can be harmful to your tan. Anything that causes your skin to exfoliate will make the spray tan come off because the tan is only absorbed into the first layer of your skin. Also remember--drinking water and hydrating your skin from the inside out helps extend the life of your beautifully bronzed glow!!

Here is a list of ingredients & products to avoid while you have a spray tan:

• Mineral oil
• Acne wash
• Fragrances
• Facial washes that contain Retin-a, AHA's & Glycolic
• Toners
• Dove/Dial products
• Most essential oils
• Anti-aging products
• Hair removal products
• Make-up removal products
• Petroleum
• Paraffins
• Paraffinum
• Liquidum
• Ceresine

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

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