So you’ve been reading about airbrush tanning and seen how great all the celebrities look who have it done, but you’re not sure if you’re ready to do it yourself? Maybe you’re apprehensive, but we’re here to tell you there’s nothing to be nervous about! It’s a quick, painless process; let us walk you through it so you’ll know what to expect.
First off, find an airbrushing salon & make your appointment. In Denver, give us a call at 303-722-4040 to set up a time. We’re located in Washington Park, but you can arrange for us to come to your house, too! Mobile tanning is a fun girl’s-night/bachelorette/birthday/pre-prom party activity too – get the girls (or guys) together and we can bring our mobile tanning station to your home and everyone can get quick, clean, fabulous airbrush tans without even having to leave the party!
The day before your appointment, prepare by exfoliating. The top layer of your skin is made up of mostly dead skin cells. It sounds gross, but it’s perfectly normal. Skin cells have their own life cycles. Old ones are at the very surface and when they die and flake off, the new skin cells beneath them are exposed. You don’t want the tanning solution to be applied to old, dead skin because it will flake off and your tan won’t last as long or look as even as it should! There are many special exfoliating brushes and scrubs available, but if you don’t have any, some soap and a good rub-down with a wash cloth will work just fine. You just want to be sure you scrub off that top layer of old, dying skin cells. Shaving, waxing, facials, manicure/pedicures, massages, and laser treatments should all be done before your tanning appointment. Make sure your skin is as clean as possible – don’t use any oils, perfumes, or lotions before your session as these can block the solution from absorbing into your freshly exfoliated, clean skin.
When you come in, you’ll meet with your technician and discuss your goals and how dark you want your tan to be. Our technicians are experts at this! We know which solutions will work best for YOUR skin tone to make sure it’s natural looking. Feel free to ask any questions you might have! We want you to be as comfortable as possible through the entire process. The actual tanning itself is short and sweet. Wear whatever you’re comfortable with. You will be in a private area, just you and your technician. Some people wear swim suits during their sessions, some don’t – believe me, we’ve seen it all, so don’t be shy to take it off if you want full coverage! Your technician will ask you to move and pose so that they can evenly spray your body. It feels like a cool, light mist and the entire thing will be over in roughly 15 minutes or so. The solution dries quickly, but sometimes you might notice a smudge or two on your clothing. We like to recommend that you wear loose, dark clothing if you can, but don’t panic – the bronzer easily washes out of most fabrics!
After your tan, stay as dry as you can for at least 8 hours! Avoid showers, pools, and sweaty exercise while your tan sets. Once it dries, you’ll want to keep your skin moisturized. Apply moisturizer daily in the morning and evening to help keep your tan as long as possible. When your skin gets dry, it flakes off and will take your gorgeous color with it, so keep it smooth and hydrated! Avoid soaps and moisturizers that contain AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) as well as chlorine from pools/hot tubs whenever possible. Long hot showers and baths might also dull your tan, so keep ’em short if you can! You can also apply tan extender solutions that contain DHA – these will help your tan last even longer! We sell these as well, just ask your technician about it.
Then just sit back and enjoy your tan! If properly maintained, your spray tan will last up to 10 days – possibly even longer if you apply an extending solution! Most people are surprised by how quick and easy (and affordable!) the whole process is and how great the results are. So don’t be nervous – give it a try!
shine airbrush tan 