Hello All!
Hopefully everyone has had an opportunity to enjoy the spring weather, despite all the rain we have had over the last few weeks.
My inspiration for this blog stems from:
- The beautiful sunshine, when we have been able to enjoy it, and
- A fun-spirited gentleman who walked into the gym last week with a full blown ORANGE spray tan he had gotten before his vacation!
The world of spray tanning and self- tanner application can be a dangerous one if you are new to this scene. At Sutton Ryan Dermatology and Aesthetic Center, we firmly believe this is the safest way to get a bronzed, sun-kissed appearance. I began experimenting with self- tanning lotion in the 8th grade. My friend and I decided the night before cheerleading try-outs would be the most appropriate time to attempt this. We both ended up with orange legs and very dark brown knees. Of course, we only applied the lotion to our legs. Our face, neck and arms remained a healthy white color during the try-outs, which occurred in front of the entire school! Good times, good times. I have experimented a lot throughout the years and have come to the realization that a natural, bronzed tan can be achieved if you know what you are doing. Here are a few basic tips to help you get the most natural looking, glowing skin.
- Begin exfoliating and intensely moisturizing your skin for a full week before you plan to start using a self-tanner or get a spray tan. This is KEY. Dry skin will produce an uneven application of the tanning solution and rough, dry areas on the knees and elbows will absorb the color more than other areas. A gentle exfoliating body scrub and a good moisturizer are essential. I currently prefer Philosophy’s Microdelivery Daily Exfoliating Body Wash and Cerave cream.
- Shave the day before a spray tan or self-tanner application to avoid any irritation that may occur with shaving immediately before the application.
- The day I am going to use a self- tanner or get a spray tan, I apply a very small amount of moisturizer to my elbows and knees. This helps prevent the” brown knee” experience I had in 8th grade. You should not use moisturizer anywhere else and most places that offer spray tans do not recommend any moisturizer the day of the procedure, but I have found it very helpful to use just a small amount on these areas.
- Self-tanner: Begin with one body part at a time (such as legs). Use horizontal, vertical, and circular motions to get the most even application. Lightly go over knees, elbows and ankles. For the hands, I wash them completely and then put a small amount of the self- tanner on the back of my hands. I put the back of my hands together to incorporate it into wrists and hands. Here are a few of the products I have had good luck with: St. Tropez, Lancome’s Flash Bronzer, and Tan Towel. I have not had the chance to try the new Tan Physics yet, but will definitely give it a try soon and update you!
- In regards to a professional spray tan, I firmly believe you get a much better, more even applied tan if you go to an individual who actually air-brushes the tanning solution onto your skin. In my experience, the spray tan booths are just sub-par. Clothing can be whatever you are comfortable with. It is also important to choose a professional that has a lot of experience with spray tanning and who is able to tailor the color to your skin tone. A fair-skinned individual should not get the same color as a person with dark hair and darker skin tones. If you are interested in specific individuals who excel in spray tanning in Lincoln, many of us would be happy to share our recommendations.
- Finally, the dreaded smell. I actually like when I can detect this on my patients, as it means they have chosen the healthy way to achieve a tan! The smell from self -tanning lotions and spray tans is unfortunately unavoidable. It occurs from a chemical reaction with the proteins in our skin and the tanning solution. This is why the smell gets more intense the first few hours after getting a spray tan or applying the lotion. This is when the color becomes activated and the chemical reaction is occurring. For most individuals, this will subside after showering.
I hope this information was helpful and you were able to gain some knowledge regarding how to get the best possible outcome from self-tanners and spray tans!
-Kerri Otto, PA-C
