Airbrush Spray Tanning vs. Self-Tanning: What’s the difference?

When it comes to sunless tanning, there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution — some people love using self-tanning foams at home and others prefer to get their spray tans exclusively from a professional. 

Spray Tanning: How to get the perfect tan

Sunless tanning consists of spray tanning and self-tanning. Both are easy. It’s just a matter of which you prefer.

With spray tanning, a light mist is sprayed onto your body in a private, automated booth or with a technician’s hand-held sprayer. Spray tanning solutions range from clear to different bronzer tones. Our proprietary formula, Obsidian, is loading with skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which keeps the skin moist and supple. 

When getting a custom airbrush tan, the technician sprays the tanning solution on you. The technician will apply the tanning solution on your entire body and guide you on how to stand and where to place your arms, etc. Spray Tan Class certified trainers are also educated in body contouring, so they can help you look more toned in seconds with a custom tan. 

You can strip down (which most people do) or leave your undergarments on – whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. The technician is also trained to be sensitive to your preferences. If you leave your undergarments on, make sure they are old and dark-colored. For this tan, you can head over to a tanning or beauty salon, but you can also schedule an appointment for a technician to come to your house.

Achieve a golden glow at home with self-tanning mousse

Self-tanning involves applying tanning products in the comfort of your own home. The range of self-tanning products includes sprays, lotions, and mousse. At Spray Tan Class, we have taken our world-renowned spray tanning formula and turned it into a self-tanning mousse, which is easy to apply.

Sunless tanning can get messy, especially while at home, so we recommend applying in the bathroom, or shower, where surfaces can easily be washed down. It’s best to apply mousses and lotions with an applicator mitt. If you don’t have this readily available, be sure to wash your hands immediately after applying.

Overall, sunless tanning makes you look good, and more importantly, feel good. Whether you spray tan or self-tan, you can get the perfect glow in a matter of minutes. It really comes down to what you have time for based on your lifestyle. 

Use a combination of both for the best results

At Spray Tan Class, we like to use a combination of both custom spray tanning and at-home self-tanning. Our Obsidian spray tan solution is ideal for artists and clients looking to achieve the deepest, most natural-looking tan. However, our Obsidian self-tanning foam is great for extending your tan and achieving that golden glow from the comfort of your home.