BE WELL

HOW TO ACHIEVE A STUNNING SUMMER GLOW

IN THE MIDDLE OF A KC WINTER

WRITTEN BY MADISON OBERMEYER

February. The month of love, warmth, and affection—but the reflection in your mirror may be giving you a more ... erm … ghostly reality. When you look good, you feel good— and you love better. While we may not be able to book a romantic getaway to somewhere sunny and 75, we’ve bottled up the perfect potion to get you a glow stat. (Bonus: no airline miles needed!) Discover how you can achieve the best bronze right out of your bedroom, bathroom, or anywhere in between!

Is Sunless Tanning Safe?

What exactly are spray tans? Sunless at-home tanning products include active tanning agent dihydroxyacetone (DHA). When DHA comes into contact with your dead skin cells on the outermost layer of skin, the result simulates a tan and usually lasts for several days. DHAs are the only FDA-approved sunless tanning ingredient for external application to the skin. The FDA states that DHA “shouldn’t be inhaled or applied to areas covered by mucous membranes, including the lips, nose or areas around the eyes because the risks of doing so are unknown,” (according to the Mayo Clinic).

Take a Test Run.

If this is your first time using sunless tanning products, you may not want to jump straight into a professional spray tan. Instead, grab your mask and head to your local drugstore (or power up your laptop for some online shopping). It’s likely your store will feature a wide variety of products for you to choose from, including lotions, serums, mousses, towelettes, and liquid drops. Make sure to do some research before you hit the aisle, and test on a small patch of skin before applying.

Bring in the Professionals —Literally!

Need a quick glow ASAP? Don’t panic-apply 30 layers of product. It’s time to bring in the big guns! Tara Green, owner of TanTara Mobile Airbrush Tan, answers all of our at-home inquiries. “Since the COVID pandemic, I have made many changes to my in-home service visits,” Green shares. “I have gone to sanitizing all equipment between appointments using a fresh

tent, which is wiped down with anti-bacterial wipes and switched outside between clients.” Green also uses disposable paper in the bottom of each tent, disposable hairnets, sticky feet, and a face mask and surgical gloves during each service. When it comes to pre-tan prep, you don’t want to do too much. Green explains the same preparation goes for whether you are using self-tanning products or getting a spray tan from a professional—that includes exfoliating no later than 24 hours in advance of your spray tan and showering no later than four hours prior. “The reason the 24-hour exfoliation is important is when you are exfoliating your skin, you’re also removing the skin’s essential amino acids, which can take 24 hours to regenerate after an exfoliation,” Green explains. “Since a spray tan is nothing more than a chemical reaction in the amino acids of your dead skin cells, you need those amino acids to replenish so you don’t come out streaky or patchy, and so the spray tan has something to interact with. Otherwise your tan may not process well at all.” However, showering fewer than four hours prior to your spray tan is the most common mistake Green sees. “Water is slightly alkaline and knocks off the pH balance of your skin,” Green explains. “After a shower, it takes approximately three to four hours for your skin to return to its normal pH level. For clients who don’t have time to properly prep their skin, I do have professional skin prep products I use on every single client so their results are guaranteed every time.”

Golden Rules

Clean skin will get you the best results. “Bar soaps and moisturizing shower gels can leave heavy, waxy barriers on your skin and prevent the absorption of your tan,” Green explains. “Products like deodorant, lotion, makeup, and moisturizers—even conditioner from washing your hair— can be enough to prevent the proper absorption of your tan.” Exfoliate! Exfoliating anywhere from 48 to 24 hours in advance of your tan can help provide you with the best results, helping your tan last, on average, 10 days. Protect your tan. One of Green’s favorite products to recommend post-tan is Hempz lotion or products like Baby Bum and mineral-based sunscreens. Since spray tans do not include any sun protection, you should always wear a topical SPF as well, she notes. And if you’re dreaming of a romantic night relaxing in the hot tub, skip out. Water is a natural exfoliant. “The more you are exposed to water post-tan, the worse your tan will be for the wear,” Green says. “And any time your skin is wet you should pat it dry—never rub.”