There are so many benefits to spray tanning, including the fact that there is no UV exposure and you can enjoy instant results. It is also quick to apply at home, in a pop-up booth or even in a professional salon. Yet it’s also no understatement to say that successful spray tanning takes a lot of skill and experience, particularly if you want to achieve perfectly even coverage.
This is why we’ve listed our tops tips to help you spray tan like a pro, so you can master the vital tanning techniques for truly stunning results.
Preparation
In preparation for a spray tan, whether applying to yourself, a friend, a family member or even a client, it will help to follow these steps:
Be choosy about where you set-up your spray tan station, as it has the potential to get a little messy – especially if your equipment hasn’t been organised in advance or there’s an unexpected spillage. Find an area that you don’t mind potentially staining, or at least make sure to have a selection of cleaning products close to hand.
In preparation for the session, also make sure to exfoliate your or the client’s skin – removing the top layers of dead skin cells – as this will help to avoid any ‘streaks’ or dense orange patches. Likewise, if you or the client are planning to shave or wax, we recommend doing this at least 24 hours in advance to give the pores time to close (and not be clogged up by the tan.)
Finally, we suggest that no deodorant or antiperspirant is worn, as these areas may react to the spray tanning product in very unattractive ways. (Nobody wants green armpits, after all!)
Application
Before applying the spray tan, make sure the body is completely dry and make-up and perfume free, whilst any jewellery has been removed. Applying moisturiser to the eyebrows and nail varnish to the nails and cuticles can also prevent any staining in these areas.
To apply the spray tan as evenly as possible, hold the can or gun at least 8-inches from the skin. Spray in fluid up to down layers, using slow and steady motions. Go easy on the area between the breasts, as this skin is particularly absorbent, in addition to the armpits and wrists. Only mist your face and finish with the tops of the hands.
If applying the spray tan to yourself, it will also help to wear gloves until this very end-stage. In fact, it would be better to have a friend or family member close-by to assist with any hard to reach places.
Aftercare
Once the spray tan has dried, put on loose, dry dark clothes and avoid showering for at least eight hours (better if you’re able to leave it overnight if you can.) Spray tans are not permanent or semi-permanent, and depending on the quality of the spray tan/formula used, the amount of time your results last may vary.
There are products available to help spray tans last longer, but what’s more important is to remember to keep your skin hydrated and moisturised as part of the after-care process.
We hope you’ve found the advice in this article useful. Yet if you’re looking to develop your skills even further, perhaps even to a professional level, then we would recommend checking out an online advanced spray tanning course.
Through an online learning course, you will be able to discover all the essential knowledge behind professional spray tanning: from solution selection, equipment maintenance, dealing with different skin types and much more. A spray tan certification is particularly ideal if you have a very busy and active lifestyle, so would struggle to attend a course in-person.
With a professional kit sent straight to your home, you can learn what it takes to spray tan like a pro without leaving your living room and at a pace which suits you. So whether you’re looking to establish your own business, improve your current abilities or simply learn a new skill, spray tan courses are the way forward!