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FAQ: Tanning Application
The secret to a flawless tan is as much about pre-tan preparation, including exfoliation as it is about the actual application, and post-tan maintenance. Following each of these steps, including these trouble-shooting tips, will ensure you obtain the best result and the longest lasting tan.
TROUBLE SHOOTING TIPS
In a perfect world, everyone's skin would be beautifully moisturised and flawless, and everyone's tanning application would result in the same flawless end result. In reality however, this isn't the case. Everyone's skin 'is' different and will take the tan in different ways.
Below is a trouble-shooting guide to address some of these common problems (relative to Liquid Sun) and that take into account individual skin differences:
N.B: Remember that hormones, lifestyle (e.g. stress), diet and nutrition, your regular skin care routine and products etc. are all factors that can impact your skin, and can likewise affect your tan. Being mindful of these can also help avoid disappointment, and help you address these situations if and when they arise.
If an adequate amount of product hasn't been applied, the tan may not appear dark enough.
Also, if you are a person with very pale skin, the colour will not come up as dark as someone with an olive complexion. As a rough guide, you can expect the end colour to be at least 3 shades darker than your natural or base colour.
If one area is lighter than the rest, this indicates that not enough product has been applied to that area.
Like anything new, application can take a bit of practice at first. Always check your work (tan) in a full length mirror after application to ensure even application over the whole body.
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Tan Too Dark:
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Tan Looks Orange:
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Colour Not Lasting:
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Exfoliation: This step is critical when it comes to tanning. Proper exfoliation will ensure that all dead skin cells are removed and that your tan is applied to a good clean base, allowing for maximum product absorption. It will also prolong the life of your tan. (Personally I use, and can highly recommend, the Baiden Mitten. The results are not only clearly visible: since I have been using this, my tan has lasted considerably longer, and fades much more evenly than previously).
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Clothing: After applying your tan, it's important to ensure you are thoroughly dry before dressing, and to wear loose, dark clothing afterwards. Your tan takes a period of time to fully develop (8 - 10 hours) and wearing tight clothing that rubs against the skin (e.g. tight bra straps) can interfere with this process, including uneven tanning.
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Showering: Contact with water (including showering, rain, perspiration, sweating) should be avoided for a minimum of 8 - 10 hours following your tanning application. Waiting 12-24 hours before showering is ideal. Applying other products to your skin during this (8-10 hour) period should also be avoided as this can interfere with the development and processing of your tan.
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Moisturise: To maintain your colour, it's important to use an SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulphate) free body wash (such as Body Shampoo) and to moisturise at least once a day (twice daily is recommended). Harsh chemicals in many skin care products can not only harm your skin, but also break down your tan. Body Frosting however is an excellent moisturiser that's been specially designed and formulated to prolong your tan. Bronzing Custard (which contains approximately 3% DHA) can be used on alternate days to truly maximise the life of your tan.
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Activities: Certain activities (such as long / hot baths, swimming in chlorinated pools, heavy exercising etc.) are all activities which speed up the skin's natural exfoliation process, and hence will cause your tan to fade quicker than usual. It doesn't mean you 'have' to avoid these activities, however simply be aware that these will impact on the life of your tan.
This generally only affects those individuals with pale or fair skin, as they often don't normally tan and are not used to much colour (i.e. they may find the colour too dark).
If using the Liquid Sun Tanning Mist, consider using less product during application. Alternately, the Bronzing Custard is a great alternative if you are only after a 'hint' of colour and / or want to build a gradual tan.
This is an indication that 'too' much product has been used, resulting in an un-natural or orange colour. It generally only applies to those people with pale or fair skin, as they often aren't used to much colour, and don't normally tan.
If using the Liquid Sun Tanning Mist, consider using less product during application. Alternately, the Bronzing Custard is a great alternative if you are only after a 'hint' of colour and / or want to build a gradual tan.
It's very important to ensure you're followed all pre-tan, exfoliation, and post-tan points. The following points are factors in particular that can impact how long your colour lasts:
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Patchiness / Blotchiness:
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Scaly / Lizard Like Appearance:
This is almost always attributed to dry skin, or skin that is sluggish in its natural exfoliation. It the skin is not well hydrated (moisturised) or is naturally sluggish (or slower) than normal, it exfoliates away unevenly, resulting in a scaly or lizard like appearance.
It's critical therefore to keep your skin well, and regularly moisturised using good quality skin care products (such as Body Frosting and Bronzing Custard) that are rich in these hydrating properties, and that are free of harmful chemicals that can damage your skin and break down your tan.
If you are a regular tanner, it's critical that your previous tan is totally removed, and that you properly exfoliate prior to a new tan. Having underlying colour left (i.e. from a previous tan) or retaining dead skin that hasn't been removed to expose fresh new cells, can affect the appearance of your tan.
Remember, preparation, and proper maintenance is the key!
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'Droplets' on the Skin:
This can occur if the skin is exposed to moisture (i.e. from rain, sweating, perspiration etc.) in the period following your tanning application. Because the product takes a period of 8 - 10 hours to fully process and develop, it's important to avoid any exposure to moisture / water during this period as any such exposure can leave marks or spots on the skin, and result in an uneven tan.
This is generally caused by excessive friction from clothing (including tight clothing). It can also be caused if the tan is not allowed to dry sufficiently before dressing, or if there is insufficient moisturising.
