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How Spray Tanning Works

 

Airbrush spray tanning involves applying the active ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone) to your skin using a special low pressure airbrush machine. DHA is a colorless sugar, it interacts with the proteins and amino acids in the outer layer of your skin to produce a beautiful, healthy golden brown color.

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Most spray tans contain an instant cosmetic bronzer that gives you a color guide and instant color when the tan is first applied. These instant cosmetic bronzers will wash away after your first shower and have no impact on the end result for your tan. It's not the amount of cosmetic bronzers that make the individual solutions darker from one another, it's the amount of DHA in the solution that creates varying results. You can also choose to have a colorless guide solution.

The spray tan will contain various amounts of DHA depending on the solution you choose. The DHA starts to activate immediately as soon as it contacts the skin, 60% of this process is complete after the first hour yet the actual tan will continue to develop over the following 24 hours post application. The cosmetic instant bronzers will wash off during the first shower. Your airbrush artist will tell you how long to wait until you can shower depending on your skin tone and how dark you want your tan.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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How Do I Prep For My Tan?

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•  Shaving and a full body exfoliation should be done 24 hours prior to coming in for your appointment. Lash extensions, manicures/pedicures, and any type of waxing should be done at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. Failure to do so can impact the outcome of your tan.

•  ALL makeup, lotions, oils, deodorant and perfumes MUST BE REMOVED before coming into your appointment.

•  You may wear as little or as much as you're comfortable with during your appointment. Please keep in mind that you will have tan lines depending on what you wear. We provide disposable thong underwear for your convenience. Men are asked to wear briefs, shorts or swimsuit bottoms.

•  It's best to wear dark, loose fitted clothing to your appointment, as well as flip flops, slippers, or any type of loose fitted footwear. NO jeans, leggings or tight fitted tops. Although it does wash out, the cosmetic bronzer can rub off on light colored clothing. If you plan on sleeping in your tan before your first shower, it's best to wear a long sleeve top and bottoms to bed to avoid skin to skin contact.

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What Do I Do After My Tan?

•  You must follow the instructions given to you by your airbrush artist as to when you can shower. Rapid tans should not be kept on more that 4 hours before the first shower/rinse.

•  You cannot get wet, workout or shower while the tan is developing.

•  During the first rinse, you will see the cosmetic bronzer rinsing off in the shower, this is normal. The tan will still be developing for an additional 8 hours.

•  The first shower MUST BE A LUKEWARM RINSE ONLY— DO NOT WASH YOUR HAIR, USE BODY WASH OR SOAP! You can use a light unscented bar soap to wash your private areas, but for the rest of your body, you must let the water rinse you off until the water runs clear. Soap/body wash cannot be used all over during the first shower as it will neutralize the tan and prevent it from developing. Soap, shampoo and bodywash during the first rinse can also cause streakiness or unevenness.​​

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•  After your first shower/rinse, use a towel to lightly pat yourself dry— DO NOT RUB!

•  Moisturize your skin and continue to do so after each shower. We recommend using an extending lotion (which can be purchased in salon) to prolong the life of your tan. Tans will typically last 5-7 days. Using a tan extender will extend the tan an additional 7-10 days.​

•  Hydrate your skin! Hydrated skin is happy, glowing skin— your tan and body will thank you!

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How Long Will My Tan Last?

Airbrush tans last an average of 7 days with proper pre-tan prep and proper after care. Skin type, lifestyle and after care will affect the life of the tan. Excessive showering, heavy sweating, hot tubs and chlorinated pools all tend to make the tan fade quicker. We recommend using a tan extending lotion to extend the life of your tan.

 

 

Will My Airbrush Protect Me From The Sun?

NO, it will not protect your skin from the sun! Therefore we recommend using an SPF while out in the sun or on vacation. We can recommend sunscreens that are safe to use with your airbrush tan, but NO AEROSOL SPRAY SUNSCREENS! Also, skin that is currently sunburnt, or peeling cannot be spray tanned until it has healed.

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Why Do Some Sunless Tans Become Patchy When They Fade?

The DHA in all sunless solutions react to the amino acids in your skin and create a bronzed effect. As your skin naturally sheds, the tan will start to fade. Some areas of the body will exfoliate off quicker than others, therefore some areas may start to look patchy. This has no correlation with the airbrush artist's application, or the solution. If you notice this, you can gently exfoliate the affected areas with an exfoliating mitt or wash cloth. This tends to usually be more noticeable when you go significantly darker than your natural skin tone.

 

Help! My Tan Doesn't Look Perfect After My Appointment.

We strive for perfection on every tan, however, we realize that mishaps can happen. If you feel anything less than 100% satisfied with your tan, please notify us within 24 hours after your appointment for a redo. Please note, after the 24 hour window we cannot offer complimentary redos.

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41 South Moger Ave
Mount Kisco, NY 10549

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CALL
(914) 218-3420

TEXT
(914) 893-2647

E-MAIL
info@indulgencebeautybar.com

HOURS
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10-6
Wednesday 10-6
Thursday 10-7
Friday 10-6
Saturday 9-5
Sunday 9-4

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