Category Archives: Sunless Tanning

Expert Tips for Success in the Sunless Tanning Industry

Tips to establish yourself as a top-notch spray tan artist in the sunless tanning industry

AYU Sunless is one of the lead manufacturers of sunless tanning products such as spray tan solutions, self-tanning lotions, mousse, drops, mist, before and after care, and sunless safe body care for 20 years working with thousands of Spray Tan artists worldwide, We offer the following tips to the budding spray tan artists to be BEST and Effective in the industry!

  • Master your technique and invest time in perfecting your spray tan application technique. Ensure even coverage, proper blending, and consistent results. Practice on different skin types and tones to gain experience and confidence.
  • Choose high-quality products, and work with reputable spray tan solutions and equipment. The quality of your products directly impacts the final results and the satisfaction of your clients. Products with skin-beneficial ingredients will offer your clients a unique experience, so they will keep returning for more.
  • Understand your client’s needs, and always take the time to consult with each client before the tanning session. Understand their skin type, skin conditions or allergies, and desired tan intensity. Reason for their tanning and tailor your approach accordingly.
  • Offer personalized recommendations based on your client’s preferences and skin type, and provide them with the most suitable shade of tan color and aftercare products. Providing personalized advice will enhance their overall experience.
  • Prioritizing hygiene is a must. Maintain a clean and sanitary environment in your salon or tanning area. Regularly clean and disinfect your equipment, towels, and other tools used during spray tanning.
  • Educate your clients about the spray tan process, what to expect, and how to maintain their tan. Offer tips on prolonging the tan’s life and avoiding common mistakes, such as excessive exfoliation or using harsh products.
  • Keep up with trends and advancements and stay updated with the latest trends, techniques, and innovations in the spray tan industry. Attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions to improve your skills continually and offer the best service.
  • Building a professional portfolio, this is another crucial step. Take before-and-after photos of your clients’ spray tans (with their consent) to showcase your skills and results. A strong portfolio will attract more clients and build trust in your expertise.
  • Market yourself effectively, and utilize social media platforms, a professional website, and online directories to promote your spray tan services. Engage with your audience and respond to inquiries promptly.
  • Providing excellent customer service is one of the most essential advice we can offer; go the extra mile to make your clients feel comfortable and valued. Ensure clear communication and follow-up after their spray tan experience to address any questions or concerns they may have.

By following these tips, you can establish yourself as a top-notch spray tan artist and build a loyal clientele in the industry. Remember that continuous learning, exceptional service, and genuine care for your clients are crucial to success in any business.

Happy Spray Tanning!

How long does a spay tan last?

How to Make Your Spray Tan Last Longer

The duration of a spray tan can vary from person to person, typically lasting between 7 to 10 days. It’s important to note that the tan gradually fades over time rather than disappearing suddenly. The natural exfoliation process of the skin causes the tan to lighten gradually.

Spray tans offer a convenient and safe alternative to sun exposure for achieving a beautiful bronzed glow. However, one common question among spray tan enthusiasts is, “How long does a spray tan last?”

For a longer-lasting spray tan, there are several key factors to consider:

Skin Preparation, Tanning Solution and Technique, Skin Type and Maintenance, Activities and Environmental Factors after spray tan session, and Patience during Development
  • Skin preparation is the key to a longer-lasting tan. Properly exfoliating your skin before the spray tan helps remove dead skin cells and creates a fresh canvas for the tan. Clean and clear skin allows the spray tan solution to adhere better to the skin.
  •  The quality of the tanning solution used, and the expertise of the spray tan professional are essential factors. Higher-quality solutions and skilled application techniques often result in longer-lasting tans.
  • Your skin type and how well you care for your skin post-tan can affect the lifespan of the tan. Dehydrated or dry skin tends to shed more rapidly, leading to faster fading. Consistently moisturizing with spray tan-safe products and avoiding excessive exfoliation can help maintain the tan’s vibrancy.
  • Swimming in chlorinated pools or spending extended periods in saltwater can accelerate tan fading. Additionally, excessive sweating, especially during intense workouts, can impact the longevity of the tan.
  • Following the recommended development time provided by your spray tan professional is crucial. Rinsing off the tan too early can diminish its effectiveness. Remember that the color will deepen if you opt for a rapid tan solution.

By being mindful of these factors and taking appropriate steps, you can help extend how long your spray tan lasts and enjoy a beautiful, long-lasting glow.

Happy Spray Tanning! xoxo

Ensuring Client Well-being in the World of Spray Tanning

Beautiful and Safe Glow

In the quest for a sun-kissed glow, spray tanning has become popular, offering a safe  alternative to harmful UV exposure. As a spray tan artist, your primary goal is to provide clients with a beautiful tan while ensuring their well-being. By prioritizing safety measures and implementing best practices, you can create a safe and enjoyable spray tanning experience for your clients.

Here are some of the ways to ensure both safety and beauty in the world of spray tanning.

Informed Product Selection, Client Consultation, Maintaining a Clean and Sanitary Environment, Protective Measures, Proper Ventilation and Air Quality, Client Education about before and aftercare

  •  It is crucial to select the products you use carefully. Choose high-quality tanning solutions that have been tested for safety. Research different brands, examine their ingredient lists, and choose solutions and products suitable for various skin types and conditions. Know who is making your products. Being well-informed about your products can provide clients with a more personalized tanning experience.
  • Prioritize client consultations to understand their needs and potential skin sensitivities. Ask questions about their skin type, allergies, and past experiences with tanning products. These details will help you tailor the spray tanning solution, select appropriate techniques, and identify potential risks and contraindications. Effective communication and client education is essential to ensure their well-being and satisfaction.
  • Creating a clean and sanitary environment is essential to prevent the spread of bacteria or infections. Thoroughly wash your hands before and after each tanning session. Regularly clean and disinfect your equipment, such as the spray gun, tanning booth, and any reusable materials, according to manufacturer instructions. Use disposable items whenever possible to minimize cross-contamination. By prioritizing cleanliness, you enhance the overall experience for your clients.
  •  Both you and your clients should take appropriate measures during the tanning session. Wear disposable gloves to avoid direct contact. Provide clients with undergarments or adhesive coverings to safeguard sensitive areas.
  • Proper ventilation in your spray tan area is vital. Ensure your workspace is well-ventilated, or install multiple extraction fans to keep the air clean and fresh. Consider using air purifiers to improve air quality further and create a comfortable environment for you and your clients.
  •  Empower your clients with pre- and post-tanning care knowledge. Instruct them on exfoliation techniques, proper skin hydration and moisturization, and avoiding activities after the tanning session. Educating clients about how to maintain their tans effectively not only ensures better results but also helps them protect their skin and extend the longevity of their spray tan. Clear instructions and aftercare recommendations demonstrate your commitment to their well-being beyond the tanning session.

As a spray tan artist, providing a safe and satisfying spray tanning experience and prioritizing client well-being establishes trust and loyalty and contributes to the overall positive reputation of the spray tanning industry. Remember, safety and beauty go hand in hand.

Should you be adding anti-aging and other similar serums to your AYU sunless tanning solutions?

In our experience, if you are exploring these anti-aging serum additives it signals that your ideal client is looking for health conscious beauty products. It also means that as a sunless tanning professional, you want to maximize the healthy skin benefits you can provide your clients. As additional results (along with a gorgeous tan) such as anti-aging and skin nourishment are becoming the new norms in the sunless tanning industry, AYU has been in the forefront of creating products already integrated with the latest healthy skin technology by using a micro emulsion base along with various extracts, vitamins, lipids, peptides, and liposomes that provide important skin benefits with each and every session which includes worry free efficiency and consistency.

The only time you should consider using additional serums in your sunless tanning solutions are when the products you are using do not contain any anti-aging or skin beneficial ingredients. You may think of using serums as a way of up-selling or customizing your service but you’re limiting your claims by what additive you use. Serums normally aim to target one healthy skin concept, while leaving others completely unaddressed, and adding multiple serums is not cost effective. However, when using AYU sunless tanning solution, our clients can claim multiple methods of skin benefits found in all of our products and highlight certain aspects of different product lines such as the hydrating, rejuvenating and rich antioxidant ingredients of our “Vino Bronzing” line or the amazing skin firming, restoring, and replenishing properties of our “Tanvee Advanced” solutions.

Serum additives can also create consistency, efficacy and concentration problems when you’re spraying throughout the day. For example, you add 4 drops of serum into your spray gun cup for your first appointment. After that appointment, you will most likely have extra solution left in your cup but you’ll need to refill your cup for your next appointment. How much more serum should you add? You still have some solution with serum leftover, so should you refill your cup and add a few drops of serum or throw the leftover solution out and refill your cup with new solution? With each choice you are either reducing your consistency and efficacy of your following session or you’re wasting solution.

All of the effective skin ingredients which are responsible for providing healthy skin benefits are supposed to be used at certain concentration in formulas to spark change. Using as few drops per treatment dilutes the results. We formulate our products with the concentrations of our beneficial ingredients already calculated and added at the time of the batch processing so the complete product has equal distribution and concentration so it’s ready for you to use without worrying about if the end result will vary from session to session.

Additive serums are a good and effective way of boosting the healthy skin effects of your sunless tanning solutions in theory, but in reality they are not well rounded, they create consistency problems, and concentrations of healthy skin ingredients are not guaranteed to be high enough to make a change. We do not recommend adding additive serums to our AYU sunless tanning products because we have already pre-formulated our products to provide the best healthy skin benefits for you and your clients’ skin!

What are spray tan bronzers (color guide)?

Bronzer or color guide are mix of FD&C colors or D&C colors that give an instant temporary tanned appearance to a client’s skin before the DHA in the solution has a chance to start mallard reaction and begin tanning their skin.

Bronzers in the spray tan solution are temporary and last only until first shower after spray tan session. When spraying your clients you should always let them know that the instant tan they see now are bronzers and will wash off when they take their initial shower. This is very important so they don’t panic when they see some color washing down their drain! Always remember to reassure them that it’s not their final tan.

Why is it necessary to have bronzer in a spray tan solution?

In addition to providing that instantly-tanned appearance to your clients skin during a spray tanning session, the bronzer also works as a “coloring guide” on the client’s skin: It helps spray tan artist to see where they are spraying ensuring an even application and prevents them from spraying too much or too little product on any one part of the body.

At AYU we offer spray tan solutions with bronzer and without. We also offer only bronzer only solution for clients who do not want to commit for long term tan and needs a tan look for an event.

Also, our formulation are designed such way that would not rub off or transfer bronzers but it is always a good idea to recommend that client wear loose-fitting, darker clothes after spray session to minimize any temporary bronzer rub-off, this is very rare when using AYU spray tanning solutions

Fix tan lines with self tanner or spray tanner ( DIY and Pro Method)

Spending time in the garden or enjoying walks around the neighborhood or playing at the beach. That’s what summer is all about!  You remembered to put on sunscreen but still it happens. Some parts of your body are a bit more tan than the rest!  Now you have to go out for the next few days sporting an uneven tan line, which can ruin that beautiful open back dress you were going to wear and wondering how you can fix this issue and even out that ta line.

No worries! Anyone can fix this with a good self or spray tanner, a proper application tool and technique. We will talk about both scenarios for at home DIY fixes  and how spray tan artist can fix clients with  similar issues.

First let’s talk about the DIY method

For this we recommend you use a good self tanner, make-up sponge and kabuki brush or tanning mitt.

Make sure to exfoliate right before you apply your self tanner to avoid any issues. Our variety of sugar scrubs removes dead skin cells while moisturizing the skin to leave a perfect canvas for a sunless tan. Make sure the area you have chosen to work in is cool because you don’t want to sweat while applying the self tanner.

Apply the self tanner (preferably choose a tanning solution or a mousse) to all the lighter areas of the skin. You will need to dab or “paint” self tanning solution with a cosmetic sponge or kabuki brush while blending at edges. Please note you might need multiple applications of self tanner to match the surrounding darker areas of the skin. After one or two applications you will notice that the lighter area is starting to look darker than rest of your body, but don’t worry! This is because your self tanner also has an instant color guide, also known as a bronzer. The bronzer will rinse off  with your first shower. Let the tan develop in the lighter pale areas for around 4 to 6 hours. At this point you can do a quick rinse to reveal the tan color on the lighter area and if you think the tan is relatively a similar tone, it’s time to apply self tanner to the full body, using the same self tanner and application tool. Start from your feet upward, covering all the areas of the body. Working quickly and making sure you have an even application. Let it develop for 6 to 8 hours and you are ready for your first shower, and remember to only rinse off with warm water, no soap, pat dry and to apply a daily moisturizer.

Plan to do this a day or two in advance before any event so your tan has time to fully develop and you can show off your beautiful tan!

Now, if you are a spray tan artist and you have a client who needs this situation fixed, the process will be similar, but will have to be done in a shorter amount of time. This will be reflected in the products used.

Make sure that the client is well prepped. Try and use a pre tan prep spray to make sure the surface of the skin is cleaned of any sweat or skin care products. Now choose two products with different DHA strengths while keeping in mind the client’s skin type. You can do this a few different ways. First choose a high DHA level product and apply that to the lighter skin area using a spray gun,  a make-up brush, or sponge while making sure to blend to the edge. Keep a hair dryer at the  cool setting or a spray gun blowing  air  handy to make sure you dry that area in-between coats. Before applying a second coat check to see if you are close to matching the tanned skin area, a  little darker is okay because that is just the bronzer looking dark. Once the last coat is dried, fill the cup with a product with a lower strength DHA solution and do a full body application, including all the earlier lighter areas in order to even out the skin tone.

As always, the same rules apply. Let your client know to stay out of water, not to exercise and to wait at least 8 hours before showering with warm shower without soap and to apply a light moisturizer afterwards.

Try to see the client again in 24 hours, via text, photos, or quick salon visit, after they have showered, to hear what they have to say and to do any touch-ups that may be needed.

A few things to keep in mind, this method is a solution to a problem and you can achieve an even skin tone with adequate practice and choosing the right products and applications.

The pale areas will often fade differently, and might look rusty or speckled after a few days. This is normal because of the lack of pigmentation in the skin.

To really take it to the next level for the perfect look you can choose a liquid bronzer or makeup product on top of the spray tan, to help further blend, and even out skin contrasts after a few days.

Hope this gets your creative juices flowing to keep your skin looking fresh and beautiful.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, so let’s revisit ourselves and remind our friends, clients and family about proper sun safety. Skin cancer is almost preventable. Not only that think about pre mature aging, wrinkles and pigmentation issue coming  from the daily sun exposure. So if skin cancer doesn’t concern you particularly, at least protect your skin from the sun in order to keep it looking young and fresh.

The Skin Cancer Foundation provides the following sun safety tips:

Since its inception in 1979, The Skin Cancer Foundation has always recommended using a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher as one important part of a complete sun protection regimen.

But you know Sunscreen alone is not enough, however, these simple recommendations can help:

Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Do not allow yourself to burn. Sunburn is damaged skin and greatly increases the risk of skin cancer.

Avoid tanning in the direct sun or UV tanning booths.

Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Apply 1 ounce  of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.

Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

See your physician every year for a professional skin examination.

Please, make your loved one aware of these guidelines and stay safe this summer.

Preservatives in our skin care and sunless tanning products?

Preservatives are the ingredients that protect spray tanning solution or any cosmetic product from the growth of the microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and molds. A preservative also helps the product to protect itself against damage and degradation caused by exposure to oxygen. Without preservatives, cosmetic products can become contaminated, leading to product spoilage and if used on the skin possibly cause irritation or infections. Microbial contamination of products can cause significant problems.

Most people probably appreciate that it is an essential requirement for manufacturers to sell safe products that are hygienic when used according to the instructions and that the product retains its integrity during the required shelf life of the product.

Before we go further, one important things you should know that most spray tanning products and lotions and creams contains water (aqua) as one of the main ingredients and  if those products are not properly preserved it will grow microorganism and product will be contaminated right away.

Preservative free products?

When we have a client ask us why  so and so  company says they have preservative free products our only answer we have is to carefully look at the ingredient list on those products, If they are using water (aqua) as one of their ingredient then their label is incomplete or they are just hiding the truth!

So how about Natural preservative?

Some companies claim that they use certain “natural” ingredients which they claim safely preserve their products. However, whether that is the case or not can only be proven by a microbiologist carrying out a challenge test on the product. A challenge test provides a standard test regime which establishes whether the product is safely preserved under normal conditions of use against the microorganisms that could be harmful to user and product stability. The fact that a particular “natural” ingredient has preservative properties does not necessarily mean that it is sufficient to provide adequate preservation to the finished product during the normal shelf life of the product. At AYU we are constantly looking at any “natural preservative” out in the market and do challange test and few different types of micro testing and we have not found any natural preservative that successfully preserves our products and keeps the products stable or fresh.

How we choose preservative system for our products?

At AYU, we are group of cosmetic chemists and we have considerable experience, a combined 80 years of experience in fact,  with preserving cosmetics, skin care and sunless tanning/spray tanning products. The choice of a suitable preservative depends upon many issues, not the least of which is pH. Other considerations include compatibility with other ingredients in the product, as sometimes these will affect the preservation efficacy and the end result could potentially be an under-preserved product. There are many preservatives available for the cosmetic chemist to use, but not all are suitable or desirable for the type of products that we manufacture. For example, there are preservatives that work by releasing a small amount of formaldehyde in order to kill off any microorganisms.  However, although highly effective as a preservative, there are issues with formaldehyde even in low doses, such as irritation and other health issues. Another family of preservatives are called parabens. Chemically, parabens are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. These are again highly effective and have had a long history of use in cosmetics. The issue here is that the parabens have received negative publicity whether justified or not and we have chosen not to use them purely for our customer’s peace of mind even though they are deemed safe for use in cosmetic products at the normal levels of usage.

At AYU, we keep abreast of all new ingredients and review very carefully all the safety and technical data applicable to an ingredient being considered for use in our products. Only when we are completely satisfied will we incorporate it into our products.

Do you have any questions regarding preservatives in cosmetics and skin care products or you have different views on preservatives in these products,If so  feel free to leave us a comment.

Beautifying your Knees, Ankles and Elbows before Spray Tanning :

This may be a strange title for my blog, but this step is really necessary because these areas can become super dark and orange and becomes a tell tail sign of spray tanning.

Most all of us suffer from dry skin around these areas on a regular basis and when you spray tan this becomes a huge problem. This is because these areas will absorb more DHA ( the active ingredient that  gives skin a tan color) and the result is a dark color or orange appearing on the elbows, knees and ankles. I would like to suggest a few tips that you can do every day for smooth, soft elbows, knees and ankles.

1)  Get into the habit of regularly exfoliating these areas with fine grain sugar scrubs. Look for scrubs that are rich in botanicals, oils and butters like Cocoa or Shea Butter. Wet your skin and apply gently in a circular motion. Do not use force because it can scratch or tear the skin then rinse off with warm water. This will help to soften these areas. After doing that apply a rich moisturizer like body butter. This daily 5 minute ritual will help keep these areas soft and hydrated in preparation for your tan.

2) Warm baths with some good bath oil or bath salt will do wonders. Just be sure to apply a little lemon juice and oil to those areas before you get in to the tub. Lemon juice will help to exfoliate and oil will help to keep skin soft.

3) Before going to bed apply AHA or BHA cream  to these areas and that will help to exfoliate dry skin making it soft and smooth.

Only follow these tips when you are not wearing spray tan or preparing for spray tan

When you have a spray tan on you should avoid exfoliation until you are ready for the next spray tan application.

Do you have any suggestions or questions?  please leave us a comments.

Avoid Dry Skin while spray tanning

Hello there,
Hope this post finds you well!
I was answering an email that I received this morning and thought, why not share  with everyone. How you can avoid getting dry skin when you spray tan?

When you are looking for spray tanning solution ask if it contains one of these ingredients: denatured alcohol, SD-40 or ethanol and if it does and it is listed within the  first 4 ingredients , stay clear of the product… why?

1) DHA already has a drying effect on the skin and using this ingredient makes the skin even drier.
2) If you are using this type of product on a regular basis with your clients, and they have to leave this product on their skin for 6 to 8 hours before they can rinse off, sooner or later the client  will develop dry skin

What are the results of dry skin? Dry skin leads to loss of tone and that can result in premature aging.

AYU Products are free of any of these ingredients and all products are formulated with hydrating and skin nourishing ingredients that combat the drying effect of the DHA so you and your clients can enjoy a beautiful healthy tan with flawless skin.

Hope this helps and should you have any questions regarding spray tanning products, or how they work,  please do not hesitate to contact us vie email (info at ayusunless. com) call us at 888-298-8081 or 423 910 0577