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 any take home tanning system. This page explains how to get the best Magic Tan but click here for some common myths about sunlesstanning 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 be it in an automated booth, a hand-held system or self application.
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
Your trained MagicTan operative will pretty much take care of this for you.
Watch those hands and feet!
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 !
The versaSpa solves the feet issue by sucking the tanning mist out of the booth before it gets a chance to fall onto your feet
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. We are finding that the combination of prep, tan, moisturise is making tans last up to 2 weeks but you control how long any spray tan lasts and the following are tips as to how you can get the maximum time from any spray tan:
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 Daily Performace Lotion. 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.
Some soaps are very harsh on the skin and are exfoliants in themselves. Use a light soap wherever possible.
If you have any more questions visit our frequently asked questions page or feel free to contact us.
