Tutorial 1 : Spray technique

Preparation

Clients should exfoliate before spray tanning. Recommend shaving their legs before they arrive as this can help to exfoliate the skin. Exfoliating allows the solution to dye the layer of skin that is likely to last the longest.

Do not underestimate the importance of exfoliating your skin before a spray tan. By doing this you remove the dead skin cells as well as any excess body oils that could inhibit the absorption of the applied solution.

Clients should also  remove makeup / deodorant prior to a treatment as this can lead to discolouration. A further tanning tip is to use only a mild soap as the pH of your skin can have an affect on the active ingredient (DHA) in most solutions.

If they usually moisturise after exfoliation you must inform clients to do it well before the treatment or their pores will be clogged and it will minimise the penetration of the tanning solution. The exception to this rule is hands, feet, knees, and elbows. You may wish to apply a little moisturiser to these areas prior to your spray tan as they have a tendency to absorb more of the tanning solution.

Pin up hair, this will allow for a more even application. Those with blonde/gray/bleached hair might do well to use a little Vaseline just above and around their hairline to prevent staining. A bit of chapstick smeared over lighter coloured eyebrows will protect them from staining.

Apply Vaseline to finger nails, palms and toe nails to prevent discolouration

Adjust your HVLP or airbrush so that it produces a fine mist, you may wish to spray a test area on a towel to ensure the setting is correct. A spray booth is recommended to contain overspray.

Application

Step 1: Front

• Client should be upright, legs apart. Balanced equally on both feet with arms relaxed. They should be faced towards you for the first part of the application.
• Ask the client to turn their head slowly from side to side with eyes closed and breath held. Holding airbrush about 12 inches away, start spraying a light mist. Talk to the client as you go, telling them what you are doing. Spray with brush slightly downward (so you don't spray into nose). Be sure to tell them when they can breathe again once your done !!
• When doing the face, have a prearranged signal with the client, telling you if they need you to stop for any reason. A raised hand works well.
• Working the way down the body, spray the chest and stomach making sure you spray the underside of the breasts.
• Work down the legs one at a time. When you reach knees, have client bend them slightly, this pulls skin taught, allowing solution to get into creases. Only spray knees lightly. Have client relax and stand comfortably, and spray the rest of leg. Hold brush farther away from feet then spray feet lightly but evenly. If you make a mistake and get a run or blotch, pat area gently with a paper towel or sponge. Do not try to rub the area. You can come back later and re-spray to blend the spot if needed.

Step 2 : Left Side

• Ask client to turn 45º clockwise so that they are side on to you. They should have one leg in front of the other and the arm nearest to you should be raised. You can then spray using the same technique as before, starting at the underarm and moving steadily down the body and spraying the side of the leg nearest to you until you reach the ankle (only spray lightly at the ankle).
• Make sure you spray the inside of leg furthest away from you too.

Step 3 : Back

• Spray back of neck and shoulders. Be sure to spray tops of shoulders from a slight downward angle from above.
• Spray backs of arms and mist lightly along edge of underarm area
• Spray down the back in a vertical motion, overlapping slightly on each stroke
• When you reach the buttocks area, have the client bend forward at the waist, this will tighten the skin under the buttocks, so you can spray evenly. If you do not do this, you could leave the client with a 'smiley' under each cheek !!
• Move down each leg one at a time in a in a vertical motion

Step 4 : Right Side

• Ask client to turn 45º clockwise so that they are side on to you. They should have one leg in front of the other and the arm nearest to you should be raised. You can then spray using the same technique as before, starting at the underarm and moving steadily down the body and spraying the side of the leg nearest to you until you reach the ankle. Make sure you spray the inside of leg furthest away from you

Step 5 : Arms

• With arms out in front, ask client to turn the wrist and elbow as necessary to improve accessibility.

Step 6 : Hands

• Have client hold hands out in front of body, palms down with fingers spread in a claw position. (Like a bird claw) This allows solution to get lightly between fingers, and into finger folds. An alternate method, is to have client hold a pair of tennis balls, with finger spread. Spray lightly onto hands, from the top.

Step 7 : Second Coat

• Its often a good idea to do a quick once over to ensure there are no missed areas. Repeat the above steps spraying quickly. This allows you to evenly blend the tan
• Double check closely to make sure there are no missed areas. Have client remove hair band or cap, and check if you have left a white ring around face at hairline. You can fix with some solution on a sponge.
• Wipe excess solution off of body hair areas and blow dry the client with the air from your HVLP.
• Remove Vaseline from palms and nails with a baby wipe or towel.

Aftercare

Ask client to avoid showering for a minimum of four hours; this allows the DHA to take full effect. Over the following days the top layer of your skin naturally makes way to newer skin. Because that top layer of skin is the part that's dyed by the DHA, the tan wears off gradually. So, to extend the effects of the spray tan, you must use moisturiser regularly

Tutorial 2 : TanTent (Pop-Up Cubicle)

There are lots of instructional videos available on You tube and other places on the internet but for our customers we have produced this easy to follow diagram

Frequently asked Questions

What is DHA?

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is the main active ingredient in all sunless tanning preparations. It has no known toxicity and has been approved for cosmetic use worldwide. It may be used alone or combined with other tanning components such as erythrulose. DHA is considered the most effective sun-free tanning additive. History lesson – DHA (naturally derived from sugar cane) used to be given to children who suffered from a rare condition where they couldn't naturally produce glucose in their own bodies. The children were spoon fed the sugar derivative which was sometimes spilled onto the skin. Healthcare workers noticed that the skin turned brown after a few hours. Thus the tanning effects of DHA were discovered!!

What sort of tan will I get?

A Suntana spray tan will temporarily make your skin a lovely golden brown. The chemical reaction physically changes your skin colour. Our solution has been well-tested in order to ensure that it looks exactly like a natural tan. Even fair-skinned clients who don’t tan easily will benefit from a Suntana spray tan.

How does Suntana compare to other leading brands?

The testimonials on this web site are from real people. Our customers are amazed at how good our products are. Try them yourself, we guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Does Suntana spray tan solution contain an instant bronzer or guide colour?

Yes, our solution does contain a bronzer which makes it easy to apply and gives you an instant tanned look the moment you have been sprayed, perfect for those last minute events. The guide colour is then easily washed off a few hours later to reveal a lovely tan. The guide colour is a very good way of gauging the final result, once you are happy with the colour you will find the tan which develops beneath will be very similar

Will it damage my clothes?

You should be aware that DHA can stain silk, nylon and leather clothing. Any clothes put on after the application should also be dark, cotton based and loosely fitted so they will rub on your new tan. Any colour that rubs off can usually be washed out in a normal wash cycle. Try to avoid putting on closed shoes and socks as they will not only cause your feet to sweat but they will also grind down your tan as you walk.

How long will my spray tan last?

A Suntana spray tan can last up to 10 days if maintained properly

Should I be concerned if I have a skin condition?

Conditions such as Psoriasis or excessively dry skin could cause patchy or uneven results. Care should also be taken to prevent DHA colouration of the hair and nails, barrier creams such as Vaseline are ideal for this

Which systems are compatible with Suntana solutions?

Our solution has been formulated to work with the widest range of airbrushes, HVLP or automatic tanning booths. It is even perfect for self tan systems like the Babyliss Beach Bronze unit.

I'm new to this sector - Where do I get advice?

We work closely with experienced mobile technicians who have plenty of practical hands on experience in this industry. Please feel free to email us with your queries and we will try and help the best we can