Class is in session

If you are new to spray tanning or even if you have had several tans before, you may look in the mirror during the development stage and wonder why your skin looks darker, lighter, or a little warmer or cooler than you expected. This is one of the most common concerns people have, and the good news is that it is completely normal!

At Sunless by Stephanie, an important part of giving you a great tan is also helping you understand what is happening on your skin. Education is so important! Once you know what to expect, the whole process becomes much easier and a lot less stressful.

Understanding Rapid and Traditional Solutions

Many people think that keeping the spray tan on longer makes it darker. This is a very common misconception.

Traditional solutions develop over eight to twelve hours, and you need to wait the full time before rinsing. Rapid solutions (the majority of solutions I use are 14%+ DHA) allow you to rinse sooner, usually between two and six hours. Regardless of which type you choose, the final depth of colour comes from the DHA percentage used during your appointment. The rinse time does not decide how dark you will be.

Rapid solutions can be confusing because when you rinse, the skin still looks similar to it did before your appointment. The colour continues to develop on the skin after that first shower, so the final result shows up later in the day.

Why The Bronzer Sometimes Looks “warm” Before Rinsing

Before your first shower, the bronzer may look slightly warmer than you expect. This does not mean your tan will end up orange. Once you rinse, the bronzer washes away and the real colour starts to comes through. I use the top premium solutions that are pH balanced and designed to develop into a natural golden tone.

Final Thoughts

It is completely normal for your spray tan to look a little different while it develops. What you see before that first shower is only the temporary bronzer and not your true colour. Once you rinse, your real tan starts to develop and continues to deepen over the next several hours.

At Sunless by Stephanie, my goal is to give you a natural, healthy looking glow and to make sure you feel comfortable and informed throughout the process. If you ever have questions before or after your session, I am always here to help.

XO -S