The Expectaion Factor

With summer break wrapping up in Savannah, we hope you have lots of great vacation memories that will last for years!

Summer vacations often consist of outdoor activities with a decent amount of sun exposure. So, coming back from vacay with a nice tan has been the standard for as long as anyone can remember. Unfortunately, the underlying damage from those UV rays lasts for years as well. The increased knowledge of the lasting damage from UV rays has made the option of sunless spray tanning becomes more desirable. There is a definite distinction between the two types of tanning, albeit for the better of your skin.

First, spray tanning requires time. To adhere properly, the skin must be prepared by exfoliating, moisturizing dry areas, avoiding use of moisturizers after a certain period and planning to have a light schedule post application. Non of these factors are part of a UV tanning experience, so it is a learning curve for most. For more of a guide to these preparation steps, see our blog on timing below!

Next, the depth of color is a bit different than in the sun. We have learned over 50+ years of using DHA that ITS natural hue is an amber, golden look. We also have learned that everyone has a "breaking point" for their skin, and when it's reached, the results can look brassy or the dreaded term "ORANGE". So, while one may think that darker is better, it is not that way with sunless tanning. 

The color results also depend on natural skin tone, skin condition and hormonal factors. Hormones factor greatly into spray tanning results, as they aid in the production of essential amino acids that react with DHA. Medications like antibiotics, thyroid and more all can alter hormonal production and cause varied results.

Natural variations of melanin in skin tones, or the amount of sun exposure in areas like arms and legs, will create different results even for an individual. So, lets say you play a lot of outdoor sports or your arms are exposed more regularly to sunlight compared to your legs, your legs will likely still be a bit lighter than your arms after a spray.  Spray artists can address this will different techniques, so please let your artist know your tanning goals and areas of concern to you, and they can help you achieve your desired results!

Finally, the longevity of a sunless tan is much reduced compared to UV tans. The way many think of a tan's longevity is derived from UV sun tanning along with, however, it's important to have the correct expectations for results using this sunless method.  The main reason for the length of a traditional suntan is that UV rays reach deep into the tissue of the skin. Conversely DHA only reaches the top layers that exfoliate off in approximately 10 days or less. So, darker does not mean the tan will last longer, instead it will just be more obvious as the color fades and reveals the natural skin underneath. This is not a complete negative though, as it leaves no damage to the skin and long term, avoids aging lines and damage. 

So, while the differences between the UV and Sunless tans are distinct, having the right expectations allows for the most satisfaction with the results and worth the benefits of keeping your skin healthy for years to come!
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Stay Bronzed and Healthy friends and see you soon!