Preparation and After Care For Your Tan
Preparation and After Care of your Tan
The Week Before Your Tan
• Please shave or wax your legs 24 hours before your tan. (Please do not shave or wax on the day of the tan as it opens the pores and you get a dotty effect on your tan)
• Moisturise any dry skin really well in the week leading up to the tan, including the night before the tan.
• Exfoliate THOROUGHLY all over as well. This will remove dead skin and provide a new, smooth surface for your tan. Exfoliating helps to promote even coverage and lengthens the duration of the tan.
• PLEASE DO NOT USE DOVE PRODUCTS! Dove soap and Dove lotions leave a film on your skin that directly leads to a blotchy tan.
• Be aware of using Aveeno Moisturiser, they seem to have changed their formula lately and it can cause the tan to turn green on application. This is only temporary though :)
The Day of Your Tan
• Remove make-up, moisturiser, perfume and deodorant before your application. (Please do not use oil based removers or make up removing wipes, if you only have these things for make-up removal then please wait until your appointment as I will bring something with me you can use that will not affect your tan results)
• Avoid wearing tight clothing on the day of your tan as it can cause lines on your skin. This includes tighter-fitting jeans, bras, spandex, tight blouses and shoes/socks.
• It is recommended that you wear dark, loose fitting clothing immediately after the tan. Solution washes out of most clothing very easily but tends to stain nylon and Lycra materials; therefore, dark coloured underwear is recommended. (I will bring disposable thong for you to wear if you prefer)
• Please note that a woman’s tan can be directly affected by her hormones. Considering her cycle, it can cause blotchiness or the colour not to develop as dark as normally. It’s not common, but it happens.
• Oily skin types usually develop lighter and require an extra spray after 24-48 hours to get your base colour. (Please discuss this with me during your consultation and I can advise)
Aftercare
• Let your signature tan develop for at least 8-10 hours (overnight if possible, the Express and Tonight’s the Night tans have shorter development times and I will advise you of this on the day) before showering with just warm water until the water runs clear. If no shower is available, then take a short warm bath without soap. This allows your tan to develop.
• Avoid wearing socks or shoes after your tanning session in order to allow the tan to develop properly on your feet, flip flops or bare feet is ideal.
• Avoid applying moisturisers or deodorants.
• Avoid wearing tight clothing for the development time. This includes tighter-fitting jeans, bras, spandex, tight blouses and shoes/socks.
• All swimming, showering and vigorous exercise must be avoided for at least 24 hours as sweating can inhibit the development of your tan.
• Do not shave for 24 hours after your treatment.
• Beware wearing long boots after tanning as these can make your tan patchy on your legs.
Remember:
When you take a shower or a bath you will probably see some guide colour wash off. Don’t worry. This is quite normal as it is only the colour guide that I use when the tan is applied. You will be left with a gorgeous tan underneath!
Maintaining the Tan
It is recommended you follow these general guidelines to maintain your tan:
• Moisturise regularly.
• Avoid long hot baths and showers as these speed up exfoliation of skin and your tan.
• Pat your skin dry after a bath or shower. Rubbing your skin may rub off your tan.
• Avoid swimming pools and saltwater, as these can reduce your tan.
• Try to always have a fresh new razor for shaving and beware of using a razor with a moisturising strip, they can affect a tan and break it down quicker or make it go spotty.
The following products can make a tan go spotty and breakdown quicker:
Dove soap and Dove products
Hair thinning lotion or removing lotion
Anti-aging products or AHA’s
Beta Hydroxy Acids-salicylic acid
Retin-A type products (Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac, Tretinoin)
Toners containing alcohols or witch hazel
Anti-acne products (Accutane, salicylic acid)
Facial masks and scrubs
Pore cleansing facial strips
Depilatory products
Wax depilatories
Hot tubs, chlorine and saltwater
Bleach products for body hair
If you are tanning for holiday beware of bug sprays – try to spray your clothes instead of you. If you must have it on you, spray a “cloud” to go through. And, be aware of sun screams that you use, I find that the intensive ’last all day’ tanning creams can affect the tan and cause it to breakdown quicker than usual.
Retail products
I do stock the entire Sienna X retail range, which offers a fantastic range of exfoliators, moisturisers and self-tan products for topping up between appointments or on holiday and also an excellent tan removal solution for getting rid of the that last bit of tan ready for your next tan.
Ask me which products will help you 😊
Emily x