Myth: A Spray Tan Looks Unnatural This is by far the most pervasive myth about spray tanning, and the worst part about it is that it was once true—making it that much harder to put this myth to bed. Because a spray tan solution needs to be formulated correctly to give a realistic looking tan, and because solutions can be manufactured by people who are less than unqualified, there are a lot of solutions with colors that are slightly off—or […]
Category Archives: Getting Started
5 Reasons To Avoid Oil in a Spray Tan Solution
Sometimes this job can be very hard I like oil. I love oil. But when it comes to a natural-looking, healthy spray tan solution, I hate oil. While oil is great in skincare products, it can ruin the experience and result of a spray tan; making it about as useful as a concrete parachute. 1. Dries way faster without oil You could stand around in front of a fan, feeling like you just got sneezed on by a camel […]
6 Reasons Why Alcohol is Bad in a Spray Tan Solution
Almost everyone loves a good drink, but everyone loves a good spray tan; many companies try to combine the two. I know! At first I was excited too: just open your mouth and get your spray-tan-drink on! Unfortunately it isn’t the right alcohol, and even more unfortunate is that alcohol can drastically affect your spray tan. 1. Dries out the skin Here’s a quick bit of logic for you: Alcohol can leave your skin very dry. Very dry skin […]
8 Reasons Why Fragrance Oils Are Bad for Your Spray Tan
When I was growing up, all those years ago, I remember going into the shopping malls and walking through the beauty section with all the free sprays and sample perfumes and colognes. The next day, after sampling the various fragrances on my neck and the back of my hands, my skin would be irritated and red. For years I never attributed that to the fragrances I put on my skin the day before. I blamed it on the wool lining […]
Do I Need an Extraction Fan for Spray Tanning?
An extraction fan can be a great weapon in your arsenal. As the name suggests, the fan’s purpose is to collect any excess spray tan particles and purify the air as you work. This not only provides that extra level of professionalism to your business, but also provides a nice atmosphere for you and your client to work together in. Why should I get an extraction fan? No matter the business, if you are working in a confined space you […]
How to Remove a Spray Tan
I hope, for your sake, that you are only reading this article due to curiosity. If you’re reading this article because you desperately need to learn how to remove your spray tan then you have my sympathy, but luckily I can help! How does a spray tan actually tan my skin? Much like a bad date that won’t take a hint, a terrible spray tan can linger for days. This is due to the active tanning agent in […]
How much space do I need to do a spray tan?
You don’t want your client feeling cramped and uncomfortable during their tan, at the same time you want to make sure that you aren’t wasting space in your salon. If you have a mobile spray tanning business it’s important to know ahead of time if any furniture is going to have to be moved. Luckily, spray tanning doesn’t require much space at all! A general rule that I tend to go by is this: do I have enough room to […]
Part One: How Do I Get The Best Spray Tan?
Maybe you’ve been spray tanning for years, maybe you’re new to the industry–either way you may be undermining your work by not achieving the best results possible. I’ve talked to salon and spa professionals, mobile business owners, skincare consultants, and using that information have come up with a quick list that may help you get the very most from your spray tan. Here are some steps to easily remember to ensure that your clients are getting the most out of […]
Part Two of: Important tips for starting your spray tanning business
How much space do I need? The greatest thing is that if you work at or own a salon or spa, then you already have virtually everything you need to begin spray tanning! Spray tanning only requires a space large enough for your client to spread their arms, and the space only has to be dedicated to spray tanning for as long as the client is present—set up and take down is only a matter of minutes! To give you […]
Part One: Important Tips for Starting Your Spray Tanning Business
Related Articles Choosing the Best EquipmentChoosing the Best Spray Tan SolutionSpray Tan Tents vs. BackdropsHow Much Space Do I Need to Spray Tan?Important Tips For Starting Your Spray Tan Business: Part Two Can we be honest? You’re not interested in the spray tanning business solely because you feel a burning desire to color someone’s skin; you’re in it to expand your business and make more money. Question is, how much money? Most people are able to spray about four clients […]
The 4 Best Things You Can Tell Existing Clients to Get Them to Try Spray Tanning
“A spray tan keeps your skin even and smooth, in the summer and the winter” If your client is willing to get a facial cleanse, use moisturizers, and is okay with milk or oatmeal baths and exfoliating scrubs, then why not suggest yet another way to help make their skin looking even, healthy, and beautiful? In the winter, clients usually don’t use a spray tan to “get a tan”, but instead to make their skin tones look more even. The […]
Top 4 reasons a spray tan does not set properly
You are the professional in your field. Your customers come to you because they trust you; that trust could be broken if it seems like your spray tanning is not producing the results that you promised. There are several ways that a spray tan could be damaged, and what’s especially frustrating is that some of it can be out of your control. You can tell your clients to exfoliate until your face turns blue, but if they still won’t exfoliate […]
What is a Spray Tan Bronzer?
Bronzer is the ingredient that provides that instant tan look to a client before the DHA has a chance to begin actually tanning their skin. It is a great tool that can be used on many occasions, and this article is here to help guide you through its many uses. Who gets bronzer-only tans? A bronzer can be formulated for extreme muscle definition for body builders, or more subtly for dance competitors and beauty pageant queens so that you […]
What is DHA?
DHA, or Dihydroxyacetone (that’s a mouthful!), is a substance refined from beets and sugar cane into a fine, white powder. This powder is then mixed into a super-secret formula! Seriously though, this formula is designed to counteract the DHA’s natural drying effects while also controlling how much it tans your skin. Think of it this way: if I made a mixture of DHA and water and you dunked a finger into it, that finger would pretty much instantly become orange. […]
Part Three of: What is the Best Spray Tan Machine and Equipment?
Experience matters: Make sure that the company specializes in highly recommended spray tan machines. If they don’t, then the machine was probably not engineered by someone with any experience in the spray tan business. (Simply: would you trust a plumber to give your clients a facial peel? Of course not, so why trust a copycat company to create a well-designed spray tan machine?) How loud is too loud for your spray tan machine? Ask yourself this: Do you want your […]
Part Two of: What’s the Best Spray Tan Solution?
Look for FDA approval The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is your friend. They keep you from digesting poison, and that’s good in my book. If the solution you are looking at does not have FDA approval, it could mean that there are ingredients in that solution that you don’t want to tango with. Sure, you may be fine if you use it, but why bother taking the risk? Wouldn’t it be better just to have the peace of mind […]
Will Spray Tans Make You Orange?
It’s not hard to guess why people don’t want a tan that leaves them looking like they belong in a Tropicana bottle. Unless there is some strange fruit fetish going around, your clients want a tan that looks like they just came from the beach, a relaxing vacation—or maybe they don’t want anyone to be able to pinpoint what’s different, but they still want their friends to notice that something is different. There is a subtly in spray tanning that, […]
How to Make the Most of Your Prom Season
Making the most of your prom spray tan season doesn’t have to mean booking so many appointments that you can’t remember what sleep feels like, though that is a part of prom spray tan season! It can also be about getting the most out of each spray tan session–this is your opportunity to win a new client, and possibly as many as two or three, just with one client initially wanting the service! So how do you work this magic? […]
Building a Better Business
Over the years, we have helped thousands (and thousands and thousands!) of salons, spas, and mobile business users get their spray tan businesses up and running, so we understand that there are a lot of unknowns out there, especially when it comes to the legal side of things. We’ve compiled a bunch of information that we think can help point you in the right direction. Please be aware that these laws might not be universal, and can change from state-to-state […]
Outsmart Your Competition
What You Should Be Doing, That Your Competition Already Is Understand the difference between cost and value Every Tanning Salon Owner and Sunless Technician needs to learn to appreciate the difference between “cost” and “value”, and to not confuse the two. Cost is, of course, a huge factor in today’s economy, but it’s not the sole factor. Many businesses think that by simply lowering the “cost” of their services, they will win new business, but what they should be focusing […]
