Frequently asked questions
How does a spray tan work?
Dihydroxyacetone (or DHA for short) is the tanning ingredient in all self-tanning formulas. DHA creates a tanned appearance by developing a brown color on the surface of the skin thus creating a tanned appearance. DHA is a colorless 3-carbon sugar that when applied to the skin causes a chemical reaction with amino acids in the surface cells of the skin producing a darkening effect. DHA does not damage skin as it only affects the outermost cells of the epidermis, the outer layer of skin. The development of color takes anywhere from 6 to 8 hours and the intensity of color is dependent upon the DHA concentration in the product as well as each person’s skin type. The tan typically lasts 7 to 10 days and begins to fade as the top layer of skin cells naturally sheds.
How long will a spray tan last?
The tan typically lasts 7 to 10 days. The faster your skin cells turn over and shed from your body, the faster the sunless tan fades. The tan created by the DHA affects only the top layer of the skin and will begin to fade after 4 to 5 days as the skin naturally begins to shed. To get the longest life from a spray tan, it is crucial to exfoliate prior to the spray tan application and to moisturize daily after the application.
Will a sunless tan turn "orange"?
No. Our cosmetic bronzer is perfectly blended to give our clients that “bronzed” look and our spray tan solution features a “what you see if what you get” effect meaning that the bronzer color they you see initially exactly matches their resulting DHA spray tan. We also offer different DHA solutions to insure that each client receives the proper amount of DHA for their skin tone.
Do I still need to wear sunscreen when going out in the sun?
Absolutely! A spray tan does not protect the skin from UV rays from the sun.
Is DHA safe?
The sunless tanner dihydroxyacetone is currently the most popular way of gaining a tan-like appearance without sun exposure as it carries less health risks than any of the other available methods. To date, it is the only active ingredient approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for sunless tanning. The FDA has tested and approved DHA for use on the skin.
Is it ok to get a spray tan if I am pregnant?
Spray tanning has not been tested on pregnant woman. Because of this we recommend your pregnant clients consult with and receive permission from their physician before receiving a DHA spray tan.
Is sunless tanning allergy-proof?
Dermatologists universally agree that the fewer the number of ingredients, the less likely the chance of an allergic reaction. Particularly in a spray on product, where inevitably the client will breathe some in, this is critical. Most competitors’ solutions contain 25-32 ingredients, but we have counted some as high as 40 ingredients. Our formula contains just 13 ingredients.
When should I shower after getting a spray tan?
Most DHA sunless solutions take about 8 hours to completely develop and therefore, you should not shower until after 8 hours from the time you are sprayed. When booking a City Tan you will be able to shower off faster. With our City Tan Collection, you may shower after 30 minutes for a light tan, 60 minutes for a medium tan or 90 minutes for a dark tan. Because a DHA tan takes 8 hours to completely develop, you should still expect to see your full tan after 8 hours.
Why is it important to moisturize after a spray tan?
It is important to keep skin moisturized after sunless tanning as dry, flaky skin will shed faster and the tan will fade sooner. To slow down the body’s natural exfoliation process, it is essential to moisturize daily.
Will the spray from a spray tanning application come off on my clothes?
After oyur first shower, you will not have any color rub off onto your clothes or bedsheets.
However, right after your tan we recommend that you wear loose-fitting, darker clothes after your spray session to minimize the chance of the bronzer transferring to clothing. When using a spray solution with bronzer, some of the bronze color may rub off on clothing or bed sheets. However, this is very rare when using Aviva Labs spray tanning solution. Vogue Magazine even nicknamed Aviva Labs as “The Bedsheet Saver.”
The Bedsheet Saver “Perfect for faketan-phobics, Aviva Labs Airbrush Sunless Tanning Solution is a clever water-based formula that’s non-sticky and quick-drying,it’s like it never happened – exceptthat the natural-looking color starts to develop instantly… and it won’t rub off on clothes or Egyptian cotton sheets.” -Vogue Australia, June 2010
Will the spray tan solution stain my hair?
No. Most people will not see any effect on the color of their hair. Customers with light blonde or gray hair may see some initial discoloration from the bronzer but this color will wash out after their first shower.
How long does a spray tan take to dry?
The Aviva Labs solution dries the fastest in the industry because it is oil-free. Our spray tan dries in seconds.
How do we determine Skin type?
We use a skin type guide to perfectly match your tone and color. Our tans are completely customizable to to our large volume of colors and tones.
What is Bubbles and Bronzing?
Bubbles and Bronzing is our in home (or office, or gym, or wherever!) Spary Tanning party! As the host you invite 3 or more friends and recieve a compliementary tan, while your guests recieve a huge discounted tan! It is a great way to have a fun night in or get your squad glowing before an event. We bring the champagne!
