Air-Tan 411 (FAQ)
As the Indiana winter season starts to close, we’re all starting to dream of summer days. Dreams of lakeside days, of flowy summer dresses, and of feeling the warm sun upon our skin. With the close of winter, comes the shedding of winter coats and the trading in of bulky layers, for shorts and flip-flops. With more skin showing in these upcoming warmer months, many of us are also looking for a safe alternative to tanning beds when it comes to adding some color back to our bodies. Air-Tan is here to provide you with a fully customizable instant boost of color, in a completely safe way. New to spray-tanning, or just want to review some information about us for the upcoming season? Here I’ll touch base on some of the questions we frequently hear from clients!
What is Air-Tan?
Air-Tan is a sunless tanning salon that has been around since 2003, and has now grown into 3 distinct locations (Greenwood, Broad Ripple, and Fishers). At Air-Tan you can always expect a personalized experience with a professionally trained technician who will provide you with all the information you need to properly care for your Airbrush tan.
What is “sun-less” tanning?
Sun-less tanning is a name for tanning without any type of UV. You know, the stuff with the risks we all have heard about as the years have gone by. With sunless tanning, also known as spray tanning, a specialty formulated solution containing the active ingredient of DHA is applied to the skin via a fine mist, to give the body a bronze color that can last up to 2 weeks (depending upon solution!)
How is an Air-Tan different than a tanning salon spray booth?
Here at Air-Tan, an actual technician is in the room applying the spray. This means you don’t have to remember any routines, or worry that any spots will be missed! Your technician specializes in spray tanning, and with a fine eye for detail, we can easily spot if we need to apply a touch extra solution to any stubborn body parts! While a booth may allow an extra pass for the legs, we go more in depth than that. We’re able to fully customize your experience with us. Want to skip the face? Alright! Have a dress for an event that calls for a hint of extra color to the shoulders? Just ask!
Will I look unnaturally orange?
We’ve all heard the horror stories, maybe we’ve even personally been victimized by a self tanning mishap at home that had left us “Oompa-Loompa Orange”. At Air-Tan our solution is formulated with just the right mix of bronzers to give us more of a natural color. Beyond that, we have 5 levels to choose from, ensuring you won’t be Malibu Bronzed if you were just looking for a subtle glow type of look.
Do I have to wait to see color?
Nope! The solution features an immediate bronzer that helps both guide your techs eye, and helps you know you are getting the full color goals you are after. This bronzer simply sits on top of your skin while the tan underneath develops, until you take that first shower.
How do I prepare?
Preparation for a spray tan is actually really easy! We generally recommend that you “shave, shower and exfoliate” before your appointment. Beyond that, it is ideal that you come in as a fresh canvas, meaning that you come in with no lotions/body oils/or deodorant applied. We also recommend that you bring loose dark clothing to wear home after your tan. Planning on getting any waxing done? Or maybe treating yourself to a mani-pedi? Those should be done prior to your spray tan, here at Air-Tan we like to say we should be your last stop in your beauty routine!
What can I expect during my appointment?
Your technician will go over getting ready once we get into your room. We will talk you through undressing to your comfort level, while bottoms are mandatory (you can wear your own, or we provide disposable thongs), many women choose to go topless to avoid any tan lines! Once you are undressed and ready, your spray tan artist will come back into the room and will begin talking about tanning goals and thoroughly explaining our level system to you. As we begin spray tanning you, we will talk you through every move, and explain how to best care for your spray tan…usually giving insider tips on how we care for our own airbrush tans! Once your session is completed, you get to check out that tan in the mirror! Your technician will confirm your color with you, and if you are happy with your results…you will be free to get dressed right away! It’s a quick 15minute appointment that can easily fit where you need it to within your week!
How do I care for my tan?
Caring for your spray tan is just as easy as it was getting one! We want to remember we cannot shower for 6-8 hours…though I always recommend waiting that full 8. This really means though that we can not get wet for that long; so avoid the rain, washing your hands, or any sweaty workouts. Once you take that first shower, it is recommended you begin moisturizing daily. Moisturizing helps the tan last longer, fade evenly…and honestly all around look better on the skin! We also recommend treating your tan gently, and never scrubbing at the skin in the shower until you are ready to get the tan off.
How long should I expect my spray tan to last for?
Depending on solution chosen (you can read more about those here), you can expect your tan to last 7 to 10 days with our original solution, and 10 to 14 days with one of our organic solutions. Of course a variety of factors play into this, the most important being the hydration of our skin. For those life events requiring the tan to last as long as possible, such as vacations, we do carry a Tan Extender in store that moisturizes along with having a pinch of additional color to help keep that tan topped up!
I have things I need to do after my appointment, can I put on makeup?
For those on the glow, our solution dries fast….allowing you to get on with your day! As far as freshening up makeup, we recommend you avoid any liquid makeup (think foundation or creams) until after that first shower. Many find they are fine with a pop of mascara and some setting powder directly after their tan!
I need to sleep in my tan while it sets…will that mess it up?
Many of us actually prefer to sleep in our spray tans, and just take our shower in the morning per usual! The good news is that going over that 8 hour mark, will not make you any darker nor give any unwanted tones. If sleeping in your sunless tan, we do recommend you wear long sleeves and long pants so you don’t accidentally touch any parts of the body with your palms. You also want to avoid sleeping on your hands! As far as your sheets, those will be okay too! It’s rare I get any bronzer on my own bedding, but the rare times it has happened, it has washed right out!
What is normal when it comes to those 8 hours I’m waiting?
It is absolutely normal after your tan to see some smudging or creasing of the bronzer. The bronzer sits on top of your skin like makeup, so you may see some smudging where your thighs touch or arms bend. It is also normal to see a bit of creasing in the neck area. The important thing is to just leave this alone if it happens, no need to try and blend it in as it will all blend out when you shower! It is also normal to see your tan get a lot darker after about 3 hours, this is simply caused by the tan developing on your skin under the bronzer. Those paired together will give a darker appearance until you wash that top layer of bronzer off during your first shower. Afterwards you will come back down to the color you saw in the mirror in the salon!
Do men spray tan?
Yes! We even have many couples make a weekly date night out of their spray tanning appointments! No matter if you are a man, a woman, or how you identify…. Our techs are here to give you the tan of your dreams!
I loved my tan! How often can I come back?
We have plenty of Unlimited Membership clients who come see us weekly! Before coming again, you will want to completely exfoliate off your old tan for a fresh start on that new tan. Us technicians like to explain spraying onto old tan, is just like putting nail polish onto old chipped polish. The results simply aren’t as great!
Those are the most common questions we get at Air-Tan, and some of the answers to those questions. If you still have unanswered questions, feel free to check out the FAQ section of our website… or give us a call! We are always available to answer any additional questions or concerns you might have
