Well prepped skin is a blank canvas for a natural, smooth, and even spray tan. However, the very same product can turn patchy when the skin is extremely dry or not properly hydrated. This also makes a huge difference with how the tanning solution works in the top layer of your skin.
Knowing how hydration works can ensure you achieve a more even colour and avoid common pitfalls like dark patches, streaks, and fading.
How You Get a Spray Tan on Your Skin?
The vast majority of food tanning formulas contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a chemical that reacts with the amino acids in your skin’s outer layer. This reaction slowly develops brown coloured compounds making us appear tanned.
This process occurs primarily at the surface. Meaning, your skin condition can influence the colour development process.
Rough flaky patches that occur in dry skin. These areas may behave differently to the tanning solution compared to more even skin. As a result, some areas may appear dimmer than others.
What Happens on Dry Skin?
The surface of skin becomes rough and may also begin to flake when the outer layer is devoid of moisture. This is usually seen around the elbows, knees, ankles, and hands.
If the area is dry and a spray tan gets placed there, then the melanin solution may pool next to dry areas. This is responsible for some parts being darker or more visible.
Similarly, dry skin may also exfoliate its outer layer of cells at a higher rate. Tan doesn’t just flake off like normal skin cells do.
Common signs include:
- Darker elbows and knees
- Patchy colour
- Uneven fading
- Flaky-looking tan
- More colourful smoother areas that have less colour
Choosing the Right Tanning Formula
Note, not all tanning solution acts the same. The colour developed is influenced by ingredients, levels of DHA and formulation.
This basically means that selecting the best spray tan solution for skin type can be quite a difference. A pro will also think about which colour you want to be and how your skin typically reacts with tanning solutions.
Make sure to inform your tanning technician if your skin is extremely dry before the operation. They might also say how you should prepare for it specifically.
Preparing Dry Skin for a Spray Tan
Preparation is everything before the tanning appointment. Dry or flaky patch areas should not be left until the last minute.
A simple routine can include:
- Hydrate days before tanning
- Exfoliate lightly prior to the appointment to ensure you remove any dead skin
- Knees, elbows, ankles, & hands are especially susceptible
- Do not use any heavy oils or creams just before you go in for your tan
- Unless your technician said so, come with fresh, dry skin
A well-prepped skin will result in an even tanning solution.
Does Your Hydration Play into How Long a Tan Lasts?
It can. The colour is generated on the outer layers of skin cells, which shed by themselves every so often. Very dry skin tends to flake and tend to shed inconsistently which is what ends up making the tan appear uneven when fading.
So, if you keep the skin moisturised after tanning, they will remain smoother. But using moisturisers does not halt the natural fading process.
The Key to an Even Tan
Different results will come from dry or hydrated skin due to surface condition of the skin which will affect how tanning products develop and fade. Usually people with smooth, healthy skin can get a more even finish.
However, simply using the best spray tan solution is not enough. The right preparation, appropriate aftercare, and adequate hydration of the skin are also decisive.
With a decent pattern, despite the fact that your shower on tan will probably create all the more equitably and look crisp and normal for longer.