How to Prevent Spray Tans From Fading Too Quickly

One of the number one questions that we, as spray tan artists, get on a regular basis is, “how long does it last?” It’s common that clients will book their tan prior to going on vacations, during the summer time or before a big event, such as a wedding. And of course, since they’re putting their hard earned money into an investment with you, they want to make sure that it’s going to last and stay looking beautiful for as long as possible. As the educated Glow Boss that you are, it’s important that you pass on all the knowledge you have to your clients on how they can take care of their tan in a way that prevents it from fading prematurely. It’s also extremely necessary for your clients to understand that at least 50% of the result and longevity of their spray tan has to do with how well they follow directions on their end. Which also means that you have to provide clear and concise instructions prior to their appointments, so they can go about doing their part. Below we will outline how your clients can prevent their spray tan from fading too quickly through their pre and post tan care.

Skin Prep

This is a major step in the process of a spray tan that must not be missed in order to have the optimal results with the longevity they desire. Clients should always be instructed to shower, shave and exfoliate the night before their appointment so that their skin is clean and prepped for a fresh layer of sunless glow to be applied. Exfoliation itself is one of the key components to creating longevity in the wear of a spray tan. If a client were to skip the step of exfoliating, they may see premature fading of their tan. The reason for this is because during the process of exfoliating, dead skins are sloughed off to reveal a fresh new layer of skin. As we know, skin cells shed naturally, so if these cells are not exfoliated prior to the tan, that old layer of skin is going to shed and take the fresh spray tan with it.

Submerging in Water

As we mentioned previously, getting a spray tan before heading off to a tropical vacation and during the hot summer months is extremely common. What’s also common with these two instances, is that the client will most likely be planning to submerge in bodies of water, such as lakes, oceans, pools, jacuzzis, etc. One of the concerns that clients have when getting a spray tan and wading in the water, will be the longevity of their tan. When investing in a spray tan, the goal is for the tan to hold up in the best possible way regardless of the activities that are going to take place while the client has their tan. Unfortunately, this gets a little bit tricky when dealing with bodies of water! Clients want to get their tan knowing that they will be looking bronzed for as long as possible despite their activities. There’s a few ways to prevent premature fading of the tan when the client has plans to be submerged in water.

1. Stay hydrated and moisturized

Moisturized skin will ALWAYS make a spray tan last longer. This is why we recommend that clients moisturize 1-2 times a day and drink lots of water. This is especially important for those babes that will be out in the sun or spending time in a body of water filled with chlorine that will dry out the skin. It’s important to remember that dry skin overall equals a tan that fades more quickly.

2. Use a tan extender

Tan extender lotions are the perfect way to add a subtle tint of color back into the skin. These tan extenders are to be used just as a regular moisturizer and applied to the entire body. The reason why these are amazing for the clients that have the risk of a quickly fading tan, is because the lotion has a small amount of DHA, the ingredient that reacts with the skin to create a sunless tan. That small amount of DHAt acts like a gradual tanner, therefore prolonging the color and reducing premature fading.

3. Sunless Tanning Mousse

Although most clients are either total spray tan babes or DIY sunless obsessed, a self tanning mousse can be a great tool for prolonging the life of a spray tan regardless of tanning preference. When a client is off on vacation and spending time in the water, they can use the sunless tanning mousse to touch up their tan, especially on areas that already tend to fade faster, such as the hands, feet and face. 

Excessive Sweating

Sweating is a form of exfoliation to the skin, which means that if a client is sweating frequently or excessively, their tan faces the risk of fading quickly. In order to prevent this from happening, the client should try to hold off on sweating during the development phase. If a client were to sweat during the 24 hours post appointment while their tan is still developing, the likelihood that their tan will not develop to its full potential increases dramatically. Also, while they have their tan on, trying to cut down on any activities that will cause a lot of sweating will ensure that their tan stays looking bronzey longer.

Extra Exfoliation

Just as we mentioned the importance that exfoliation plays in the skin prep process, it also plays a major role in post tan care. This is because any additional exfoliation made to the skin will increase fading of the tan. Extra exfoliation can be in the form of sweating, as we just stated, as well as using exfoliating scrubs, exfoliating facial acids, shaving and rubbing instead of patting dry after showers. Any activity or product that will be abrasive to the skin should be avoided until the client is ready to remove their old tan and prep for a fresh one.

Although these are top tier tips on how the client can go about properly taking care of their tan to decrease and prevent premature fading, as the spray tan artist, it’s important that you help with this process as well by using products and solutions that are made with premium ingredients. If you’re in need of a kit rejuvenation, X-TAN Sunless is the perfect place to get all of your professional spray tan needs to ensure your clients get the most luxurious experience and high quality results possible. With sunless solutions made with naturally derived and organic ingredients that replenish and hydrate the skin, you can’t go wrong with offering a memorable experience that will have your clients raving over their tans. To explore the PRO Shop today, head over to X-TAN’s Website!

Xoxo,

Kelly