Strictly Sunless

How do I prepare for my sunless session?

Arrive showered, shaven, free of make-up, perfume, oil, body sprays, deodorant and moisturizer for optimal results. Bring loose, dark fitting clothing for after your session.

Should I moisturize before I do a Sunless session?

You should use a moisturizer regularly to keep your skin hydrated and healthy, which will contribute to a more even, natural looking sunless tan. However, it is recommended NOT to apply moisturizers 2 hours prior to self tanning and 6 hours after.

Why is keeping skin moisturized essential to maintain great Sunless results?

It is important to keep skin moisturized after your Sunless session as dry, flaky skin will slough off faster and color will fade sooner. Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer helps hydrate skin and maintain even, natural looking color longer by providing subtle bronzers.

How long should I wait after my Sunless session before I shower?

It is best to wait at least 6 hours after the sunless tan application before you shower to give the DHA time to fully react with skin proteins.

Can I work out after a Sunless session?

It is best to wait at least 6 hours after your Sunless session before partaking in any strenuous activities that may cause perspiration. This will give the DHA time to fully react with skin proteins as well as prevent streaking that could result from excessive perspiration.

How many days will a Sunless tan last?

The longevity of a Sunless tan depends on the skin’s natural exfoliation process, and on the skin regimen followed before and after application. On average, a sunless tan will last 5-10 days. The “life span” of a Sunless tan also depends on your skin’s natural exfoliation. The faster your skin regenerates, the faster the sunless tan will fade. The tan created by the DHA and Erythrulose affects only the top layer of the skin and will begin to fade after 3 to 4 days as the skin naturally begins to exfoliate.

How frequently do you recommend going in for a Sunless session? Can I do it several days in a row?

The frequency of Sunless tanning application depends on your skin cell turn over and preference of color intensity. People with quick cell turn-overs may want to do a Sunless session every 4 to 5 days to keep color fresh, while others may need to apply only once every 7-10 days.

Can I do a Sunless session in addition to a tanning bed?

Yes! Since Sunless tanning is UV-Free, you are welcome to tan before completing a Versa Spa or Versa Pro Sunless session.

Will the solution from the Sunless come off on my clothes?

Some of the bronze “cosmetic tint” color may rub off on clothing or bed sheets. This is most likely to happen when you get dressed immediately after tanning. To minimize the chance of the tint transferring to clothing, we recommend that you wear loose-fitting, darker clothes after your Sunless session. The Cosmetic tint is water-soluble. Therefore, in most cases, the color will come out of clothing in the wash.

How do I apply Barrier Cream correctly?

Barrier Cream is applied as a protective barrier to prevent unwanted color on the porous areas such as hands, feet, nails and cuticles. Dispense a generous amount of Barrier Cream onto your hands and apply an even coating to the palms of the hands, in-between the fingers, tips of fingers, covering nails and around the cuticles.

Why do I need to wear sunscreen even if I have a sunless tan?

Although you may feel and look tan, a sunless tan is only the temporary appearance of a tan and therefore provides your skin with no real sunburn protection. It is absolutely necessary you wear a sunscreen when outdoors to protect your skin from burning.

What is Tanning Basics?

Tanning takes place in the skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis, with special cells called melanocytes. When exposed to UV-B light (short wave ultraviolet), melanocytes produce the pigment, melanin. The pinkish melanin travels up through the epidermis and is absorbed by other skin cells. When exposed to UV-A light (longer wave), melanin oxidizes or darkens. This is your skin’s way of protecting itself against too much UV light.

Why Does A Tan Fade?

Cells in the epidermis are constantly reproducing and pushing older cells upward toward the surface of your skin, where they are sloughed off in about one month. As your skin replaces its cells, the cells laden with melanin are removed. So the tanning process must continue with the new cells.

Why is indoor tanning better than outdoor?

Speed – It doesn’t take all day to get a tan indoors. Depending on your skin type, just a few minutes, not hours. Maintain your tan for as little as 60 minutes a month. Control – Our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to monitor and scientifically control your ultraviolet UV-A and UV-B exposure. We make sure you tan and not burn. Climate – Overcast, rainy, or 109 degrees in the shade, you never have to worry about the weather with your pleasant, climate-controlled environment.

Be Safe. Tan Smart

Lip and eye protection – Lips don’t produce melanin and eyelids are too thin to block UV. That’s why it’s important to wear lip balm with sunscreen and protective eye goggles. Eyewear must be certified and approved by the FDA. We offer a selection of goggles that meet these Federal standards. You can avoid “Raccoon Eyes” by gently adjusting your goggles while you tan, but never remove them completely. Outdoors – When you tan outdoors, you are exposed to uncontrolled and often excessive amounts of multi-frequency UV that can cause “sunburn” and permanent damage. When you are outside, wear appropriate protection. Medication – Some medications can cause reactions with UV light. If you are taking any medications, please let your doctor know you’re tanning. For more information visit: http://www.tanningtruth.com | www.theita.com

Does cost matter?

The short answer is…usually. The real cost in lotion is either in the tanning technology or the skin care technology. The higher the price, the more of either (or both) that are in the lotion. An example where a cheaper one could be better would be if you are not interested in skin care and only wanted a ton of bronzers…there are cheaper lotions that are packed with bronzers and very little skin care. This is where cost could be lowered depending on your need. The best approach would be to find a price level that you feel comfortable with and tell the tanning consultant what that number is. They can help you find the best product for that price range. Talking to an expert who has used every product, seen every product, and knows what’s really good and what isn’t, will be easier and more efficient than reading reviews online. We love our online reviews, but anonymous strangers, posing as experts with their own preferences and expectations, may not match your specific needs. Yes, you usually get what you pay for, but you may be surprised at what a seasoned associate can help you find within your budget, get you a good deal on, etc. It’s worth asking! You could save a ton by just asking “What deals are you running?” or “What’s the best lotion I can get for $x?” or even “Can you help me get the best hookup on lotion?”.

Bronzers? No Bronzers? 3 Bronzers? 50 Bronzers? I’m confused.

The average customer is not a tanning salon or tanning lotion industry guru, so if you’re confused about the whole bronzer situation…have no fear (or shame)…it can be confusing. Back in the day it was simply “Bronzer” or “No Bronzer”. This just meant that your lotion either had a little bit of sunless solution (spray tan ingredient) in it to give you a quick boost in color…or it didn’t.

Now there are Delayed, Immediate, DermaDark, Natural, Extended, and SuperAwesomeRidculousBrown Bronzers (ok, we made that last one up!). It can be tough to decipher which one is best. Generally though, the number before the bronzer are your best indicator. The higher the number of bronzers, the quicker you’re going to get color. A lotion that has an “X” after the number (i.e. JWOWW 50X Bronzer) means “extended” or “extra” and can give you quite the boost. The newest types of Bronzers are called “Optimizers”. Optimizer Bronzers are new streak-free bronzers, and are where technology takes a leap forward giving you deeper color faster, longer lasting color, and the most natural looking tan possible. There’s only a few of these types out there, but they are the bees knees if you find one. We like HD Marilyn Optimizer and Cypher Platinum Optimizer.

Are all tanning lotions the same? Is it just a gimmick?

The cynicism of the over-marketed consumer aside, try looking deeper into each product before making this assumption. Most would not say that a $0.99 hair conditioner would be the same as a $30 one (anyone who lives in thick humidity like we do knows the difference all too well). However, with lotions it’s easier to draw that conclusion (especially when you want it to be true) as you don’t see immediate differences with just one use like you would with a conditioner. It takes 3-4 uses before you see how dramatic the results really are. Your skin and your hair are made of the same material (keratin). Using the absolute cheapest on either will start to show in a weathered sort of way. You will also not be getting the effect you are going for. Cheap lotions (a la Walmart) would be like switching the the cheapest shampoo and conditioners…you will be getting what you paid for, which will not be what you were wanting. Don’t get me wrong, there are moderately prices conditioners, shampoos, and tanning lotions out there that are absolutely amazing! You just have to find the right one for you and your budget, without letting cost be the only and singularly deciding factor. Every lotion is different, just like every skin type. Find one for your needs and you’ll be much happier with your results and your skin will thank you.

There are 2 Steps in Tanning Lotion?

Most tanning lotions (in fact every tanning lotion made by California Tan) comes in this 2-step process. How it works is that you use a Step 1 the first time you tan, then you use a Step 2 the next time you tan, then repeat. The question is…Is there a real benefit? Well, each lotion does something different. The 2 steps are designed to mimic the way your skin naturally tans in the sun, to support this process, and to boost your color faster, and make it look more natural. The Step 1 lotions help to produce a tan (melanin) by stimulating your cells that produce a tan (melanocytes). This is the natural first step in tanning. This Melanin isn’t naturally brown (it’s actually pinkish) and can take from 24-72 hours to produce. Once it has been produced, to make this melanin brown you must introduce oxygen. Oxygen causes your melanin to turn that brown, bronze color (kind of like when you cut an apple in half it turns brown from the oxygen). This is where Step 2 comes in. Step 2′s put pure oxygen directly into the skin causing all of the melanin in your skin to turn dark brown.

Rotating between these 2 steps will help you build color much faster than using one or the other. They aren’t really designed to be used separately. It would be like deciding if you just wanted to use Shampoo OR Conditioner…they’re not really the same and you’ll get better results by using them both. If you are naturally dark (i.e. your body naturally produces a lot of melanin) you could get away with just using a Step 2 to turn that melanin brown, but if you’re lighter than a skin type 4 (naturally tan), you’d do better alternating between the 2 steps for sure. Many times buying both steps at the same time will net you some kind of discount or free gift. You should ask if there’s a deal to getting these together before buying for the biggest bang for your buck!