The Art of the Perfect Tan
Getting perfect results from any cosmetic tan application is easy but some people get better results than others. The odds are they have used self-tanning products or had many spray tans and have learned from bitter experience how to get the best results & avoid tan lines. Here are some tips and techniques for getting the best tan possible every time whether you use our automated booths, have the tan applied by one of our trained operators or do it yourself using our sensational new aerosol tanning system. This page explains how to get the best Magic Tan but click here for some common myths about sunless tanning and some tips & tricks for you to get the best possible results.
To find out how sunless tanning systems work in general click here.
Basic tips that most of us know before visiting a salons or applying your own tan are:-
No deodorant, no perfumes or creams and lotions
Wear loose fitting cotton clothes - preferably not white
Ideally wear sandals but certainly not sweaty tight fitting runners
Apply your tan - aerosol - hand-held - automated booth
There should not be a problem with any of the ingredients in our tanning solution but if you have any concerns please ask a staff member or e-mail us and we will be happy to double check for you.
Shower & Exfoliate
Your skin prior to exfoliation is like a small mountain range
If you tan before you exfoliate this is what will happen (see how the tanning solution is applied more heavily on the tops of the mountains and in the valleys). Not only that - once your skin exfoliates you will be left with a blotchy tan!
When you skin is exfoliated the hills become smooth and the tanning solution is applied evenly.
For best results use MagicTan's Pineapple Exfoliating gel. It is oil free, natural and it smells great !
Prepare your skin
Imagine your skin is a very dry sponge (it is actually!). If you pour water on a dry sponge the water simply bounces off. The same thing happens with tanning solution. That is why MagicTan have developed their special Prep Gel which moisturises your skin and prepares it for the tanning solution to hit. It turns your skin into a damp sponge which will absorb all of the tanning solution.
It gets better too. Not only does the Prep Gel allow your skin to absorb all that good tanning solution, it also neutralises the pH balance of your skin. Did you know that skin Ph levels can vary depending on a wide variety of factors including such things as at what point a woman may be in her menstrual cycle and if someone has recently had a large meal of Sardines?
By the way - our Prep gel has been shown to make your tan as much as 30% darker as well as more consistent.
Apply your tan
Hold the aerosol about 20 cm from the body and lightly spray tanning solution onto skin. Don't be tempted to spray the solution on too wet as this may result in to much DHA being applied and you could get an orange glow. It is much better to apply lightly and build your tan up to the desired level.
Apply your tan
Your trained MagicTan operative will pretty much take care of this for you.
Apply your tan
Take off !
Naturally, the first thing you do is undress.
It is ok to leave on underwear or a bikini if you want tan lines. The bronzing agent may rub off on your clothing but it will wash out easily. Some salons will also offer you the option of clear or bronzed solution - ask when you call.
Take off any jewellery. You can leave any body piercing items in place.
Put on shower cap. The shower cap should be above your hairline at the front and above your ears. Don’t worry, the solution won't colour your hair.
If you have dry skin on your hands and feet ask about our barrier cream & spray for these areas. This stops too much DHA being absorbed by dry skin areas.
Hop in !
Open the door to the booth and step inside.
There is a mat to stand on.
Watch that your body doesn't cross the line from the mat to the roof or you will get a streaky tan.
You can breathe in the booth; DHA is a sugar and is completely safe.
Take up position 1 and press the green button once. This will commence the 4 tanning cycles. Each cycle lasts for 8 seconds and there is a 11 second break between cycles which allows you plenty of time to change position. Sometimes people are startled when the booth starts to operate but this is normal. The nozzles open from the bottom and work their way up your body. When the nozzles reach eye level, close your eyes gently.
By the way the positions are only suggestions - all you are doing is ensuring a beautiful all over tan.
Say wow !
When the 4 cycles have finished, open the door to the booth and step out.
Wipe the barrier cream from your hands - leave your feet 'till last.
Finish your tan by using the shower cap like a glove to spread the excess solution under your breasts and the bottom of your buttocks.
If you would like a slightly darker tan just stand and let the mist dry naturally on your body.
Take the towel and wipe any excess mist from your body with a gentle rubbing motion. Finish with your feet
Once you have towelled off, you'll feel nice and moist. This is the Aloe Vera moisturising your skin. And you'll look great !
Use wet-wipes to remove solution from areas you do not want to tan such as the palms of your hand, soles of feet, between your fingers and toes, nails and cuticles.
It is not a bad idea to use the wet-wipes on the backs of your hands and tops of your feet too. Don't worry - you won't lose your tan on these areas but it will help ensure that you get no ugly brown stains there.
You can shower 4 to 6 hours after you have used the booth.
Lets face it - some people have problems with sunless tans on their hands and feet ! If you have already tried a spray tan then you will have an idea of whether you are one of those people who have to take care not to get too much tanning solution on those areas. If you are a first timer our advice is for you to take precautions anyway. You will still get a tan on your hands and feet but the last thing you want are ugly brown stains in areas where people can see. To avoid this effect follow a few simple steps and you will be fine !
use the MagicTan barrier spray or cream. If you have very dry hands apply liberally. If your hands and feet are not dry then a light spray will suffice.
at the end of the session wipe your hands with the wet wipes provided. Pay particular attention to palms, soles of feet, backs of hands and tops of feet. The dryer your skin the more you should rub them!
If you have particularly dry skin on your hands and feet consider washing your hands in a sink after your session.
If you see dark patches beginning to develop on your feet and hands it's easily fixed with a loofah or similar product to exfoliate the skin on these areas.
Toothpaste and lemon juice also helps get rid of unsightly brown areas. Your salon should also have MagicTan, Tan Remover. Ask them for details.
Your tan should last for at least 5 days but remember your skin recycles itself regularly.
Long baths and showers, swimming, lying on a sandy beach will all encourage your skin to exfoliate naturally, losing your tan in the process.
Regular moisturizing will help, particularly with MagicTan Extend. If you have dry patches of skin then your tan will fade faster in these areas. MagicTan Extend will help and MagicTan touch-up spray will help even out your tan. Our Aerosol is great for making your tan last. Simply spray it on lightly every two to three days and your tan will last as long as three weeks !
Some soaps are very harsh on the skin and are exfoliants in themselves. Try MagicTan's Foaming Moisturiser in the shower instead of soap.. Not only is it a great moisturising soap you will find it extends the life of your tan by a couple of days !
If you have any more questions visit our frequently asked questions page or feel free to contact us.
