Spray-on tanning booths have emerged as an alternative to the sun or a tanning bed as a means to achieve a sun-kissed glow. When the tanning solution from a spray booth has dried and developed on a person's body, the person will appear tanner without ever having set foot into the sun. While the tanning spray booth is very effective at reducing sun damage, a person must use the booth correctly in order to avoid the dreaded self-tanning hands and experience a smooth, even tanning application.
How It Works
While there are several different brands of tanning spray booth, most resemble a long shower stall. Before a person steps into the stall, she will use a lotion on the areas of the body she does not want tanned, such as the feet, toenails, fingernails and palms of her hands. Then, a person enters the booth and presses a button. Shortly thereafter, the tanner will be emitted from a sprayer or multiple sprayers for a period of time typically less than one minute. Some spray booths require a person to assume several positions while others spray only the front and back. A person then exits, towels off, puts her clothes back on and waits for the tan to develop.
Tanning Solution
The tanning solution applied typically is a combination of moisturizers (such as aloe vera), bronzer and self-tanning solution containing dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This is a chemical that interacts with dead skin cells to achieve a tanned appearance. DHA's properties are one of the reasons why the spray tan lasts only five to seven days, as the skin sheds during this time.
Correct Usage
One of the chief drawbacks associated with spray-on tanning is streaking or tanner that collects in more dry areas, such as the knees, elbows or hands. Carefully apply protective lotion to your hands, fingernails, cuticles, bottoms of the feet, elbows, knees and any other areas where your skin tends to be dry. Also, videos often are available that illustrate the proper way to stand or rotate during a tanning session. It is best to request these from your tanning salon as a means to prevent mistakes. Finally, refrain from showering until at least eight hours to allow the tanner to best develop before being washed away.
Cost
In the self-tanning world, spray tanning booths are generally considered to be more expensive than applying self tanner to one's own body, yet less expensive than having a one-on-one airbrushing session. Prices typically range anywhere from $10 to $50 per session. Many tanning salons or spas offer package deals to reduce the overall costs of each individual session.
Considerations
Spray tanning booths provide even tanning while not requiring sun exposure and therefore damaging the skin. Given these positives, the spray tanner drawbacks can include a orange tint or blotchy application. Some also find the scent associated with the DHA as unpleasant, although it can be easily washed off after a certain period of time.
