Spray Tans
We spend most of our lives indoors, locked away from the sunshine, but many of us still want to have a golden bronzed glow year round. Years ago it was the norm to sit in a sun bed or solarium to imitate laying in the sun, although these days we are more aware of the danger and damage caused by UV light.
In recent years spray tanning has become more and more popular and accessible, mostly due to how safe, quick, and simple it is. But how does it actually work?
Every tan solution on the market, from professional sprays to at-home lotions, contain a chemical called Dihydroxyacetone, also known as DHA. This is a naturally accusing simple carbohydrate, chemically derived from sugar, and is actually colourless and odourless. DHA reacts with the amino acid proteins on the outer layers of the skin to permanently darken them. This is the same reaction that happens when you slice an apple and leave it in the open – the apple flesh becomes darker and browned over time, and the longer it is left out the darker it gets.
So why does your spray tan fade if it’s a permanent reaction? As the dead skin is shed from the body, the tan is naturally shed with it. This is also the reason why tans can become blotchy and streaky in the days after the initial application, as the cell turnover rate of the skin isn’t completely even all over the body.
Spray tans can take up to 24 hours to completely develop, so even though it is recommended to rinse the tan off 2-4 hours after the application your skin will continue to darken. Because DHA is clear, a bronzer is added to the solution so the tan operator can see where she has applied to get an even, all-over bronze glow. When you shower after the spray tan, it is this bronzer that will be rinsed off.
A professional spray tan will last from 3 to 10 days, depending on the colour. Darker tans will generally last longer as the DHA content in the formula is higher and penetrates deeper to affect more layers of skin. Lighter, natural tans contain less DHA and will fade faster.
For tips on how to get the most out of your tan, read our “Saloon’s Guide To The Perfect Tan”.
xoxo Maddy J.