STOP and GLOW Spray Tan Tips

We look forward to writing interesting and meaningful posts about spray tanning and skin care. We provide sunless tans in West Chester, PA and sunless tans in Denver, CO. We operate a mobile spray tan service and use only organic spray tan solutions for the best spray tan results. We hope we can help you achieve a healthier life! Please feel free to comment on our blog posts or ask us for sunless tanning advice! Our spray tan tips will help you achieve a better looking spray tan.

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The Bronzing Affect of a Spray Tan

 Ever wonder how your skin turns brown after a spray tan?  DHA is the ingredient in spray tan solutions that help start a chemical process with the amino acids in your skin.  

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What is DHA in spray tan solution?

What is DHA in Spray Tan Solution

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Do you suffer from winter weather fatigue?  Get a spray tan to lift your spirits!

If you suffer from winter weather fatigue you are not alone!  The fall and winter months can be very discouraging and really affect your mood and energy levels.  Cold weather and limited sun light keep most people indoors and we soon suffer from mental and physical fatigue.  When you start to feel yourself lacking energy and your skin starts to dry out and you lose the color in your skin there is only one solution.  Get a spray tan!

Spray tans aren't just for the spring and summer months.  Winter can be the perfect time to get a spray tan to help nourish your skin and bring back the color for an instant boost in self esteem.  

Cold weather often forces us to remain indoors with the heat on, which can also dry out your skin if you're not properly moisturizing and staying hydrated.  Dry skin, chapped lips and runny noses are very common in the winter months.  Cold weather causes your skin to flake, chap and crack.  We have a fix for that!  Our spray tan solutions are ultra-hydrating and nourish your skin.  Say goodbye to dry, pale skin and hello to your glowing, bronze skin.

We often get panicked calls from clients in desperate need of some color and it makes us feel wonderful to help instantly put a smile on their face.  A spray tan does wonders to the appearance of our bodies and simply makes you feel radiant and beautiful!  

You don't need a special event or specific time of the year to book a spray tan.  Next time your stuck indoors due to cold weather and feel the winter fatigue draining your spirit, contact us for a spray tan.  It may be cold outside but when you have your mobile spray tan service on speed dial we'll get the 911 and come to you!

Deann Casias Howard | STOP and GLOW Mobile Spray Tan | West Chester, PA

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Sunless Tanning Product Review: Norvell Renewing Sunless Exfoliator

One of the most important steps in prepping for your spray tan is the exfoliation process.  Without a question this is a step that many spray tanners will either forget or not work into their schedule figuring it's not a big deal.   We have all been to tanning salons in the past where you can just walk in and request a spray tan and there are no questions asked by the technician regarding your preparation or you just step into the spray tan booth after work, or even worse, after working out.   Exfoliating is one of the most important factors in determining how your spray tan will adhere to your skin and how long your spray tan will last.  We always recommend exfoliating 24 hours before your spray tan or the night before.   Read more on exfoliating for a spray tan here. I have tried plenty of products and my favorite is Norvell Renewing Sunless Exfoliator.  It's no secret that my belief is that Norvell has some of the best products on the market.  Norvell is a name brand with years in the industry and offer quality products with quality ingredients.   Norvell's Renewing Sunless Exfoliator is sulfate free and soap free which makes it perfect for prepping for your spray tan.  Not only is it important to exfoliate before your spray tan but you must exfoliate properly.  Part of that is avoiding fragrance based soaps or soaps such as Dove.  These types of soaps will leave a residue on your skin that could pose problems during the application of your spray tan.  The residue left over from these types of soap will essentially create a barrier which will prevent the spray tan solution from adhering to your skin.   Novell's formula is great because you can gently exfoliate your skin without stripping it from the skin's amino acids.  This is important because the amino acids work hand in hand with the DHA (spray tanning solution's active ingredient) to produce the bronze color.   When using this product you should apply it with a loofah or wash cloth and gently cleanse your entire body or the areas you plan on getting sprayed.  There is no need to scrub your skin in a rough manner, which will irritate the skin, let the product do the work.  Pay specific attention to your elbows, knees and feet.  These areas are typically the dry spots on your body and tend to absorb the most spray tan solution.   This is a great exfoliating scrub and if you're serious about getting great sunless tanning results than you will want to go the extra step and make sure you have a quality product like Norvell Renewing Sunless Exfoliator.  

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Norvell Prolong Sunless Tanning Product Review

Norvell makes a terrific product that will help keep your skin moisturized and looking radiant days after your spray tan.  It's called Norvell PROLONG sunless tanning extender and it's a product we started stocking after seeing terrific results time after time.  I always try samples of products first before I recommend them to my clients and this tan extender is sure to prolong the life of your spray tan.   With the change in weather from the summer to fall and winter our skin begins to dry out.  Colder weather brings warmer showers and exposure to cold, dry conditions which will take a toll on your skin.  When the seasons change to a colder climate it's very important to stay hydrated and keep your skin moisturized...especially when you get a spray tan.   Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated are key roles in helping your skin looks it's best and one of the reasons why Norvell Prolong is such a great product to use around this time of year is that it hydrates and moisturizes your skin while adding a hint of bronze.   Norvell Prolong has time release micro capsules that hold and bind the moisture in your skin and the DHA is locked into the top layer of skin.  We will typically advise our clients to wait two days to start using the tan extender and then it can be used daily waiting eight hours to reapply.   When applying Norvell Prolong you want to make sure you smooth it on and rub it all over your skin so it evenly blends.  Try avoid rubbing it on areas that are generally ultra dry such as your knuckles, elbows and knees or avoid these areas all together.  It will give off a darker appearance when it is rubbed into these areas so it's best to avoid them for a natural looking bronze.   Some people will use latex gloves or an applicator mitt when applying this product to avoid staining your palms.  If you don't have either just be sure to wash your hands with soap and water immediately after applying.   This is such a wonderful product to use and you'll notice results roughly 6-8 hours after applying and the smell is great!  We always recommend this to clients that want to extend the life of their tan a few extra days or keep their skin moisturized and looking beautiful.  It's a great product to take with you when you travel and you need a bronze touch up.   Novell makes some wonderful sunless tanning products and this is one of my favorites and a go to product especially in the fall and winter when your skin always looks dry and damaged.   Check out our other wonderful sunless tanning products here   By Deann Casias Howard 

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Essentials of spray tanning and why it's important to exfoliate

One of the most important steps in preparing for your spray tan is exfoliating 24 hours prior to your appointment.  Forgetting to exfoliate 24 hours prior to your appointment is a mistake that could cost you 2 to 3 days off the life of your sunless tan.  View our infographic on why exfoliating is important to the spray tan process.

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Tips to Help you Prepare for your Spray Tan | Spray Tan Prep

Tips to Help you Prepare for your Spray Tan

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What is DHA?

Dihydroxyacetone or for short DHA, is the primary ingredient in most sunless tanning products.  It is often derived from a plants source such as sugar beets.  DHA simply reacts with the amino acids in your skin.  DHA does not penetrate your skin and studies show that it does not penetrate deeper than your dead skin surface layer.   In simple terms, DHA reacts with the amino acids in your skin to create a brown or bronze color.  Not all DHA ingredients in spray tan solutions are the same which is why you will see different colors when using different spray tan solutions.  The higher the quality of ingredients in your spray tan solution the better and longer lasting the results.   Sunless tanning solutions can range from 1% DHA to 15% DHA, one percent being the lowest concentration and 15% is the highest.  This means that the lower percentage of DHA will be a very light glow  and the 15% will be a very dark, rich brown tan.   Our spray tan technicians will use sunless tanning solutions that range from 6% to 12%.  Most clients can achieve the desired results from within this range.  The sunless tanning products we stock have DHA in them as well but a much smaller dosage.   The main health hazard in spray tan solutions and cosmetics are parabens.  Parabens are the most widely used preservatives in personal care products.  There are many concerns about the safety of parabens which is why we use sunless spray tan solutions that are organic and paraben free.   Take a look below to read about the ingredients in our sunless tanning solutions: Our sunless tanning solution includes the following ingredients:

100% Pure Organic ECO certified DHA (Dihydroxyacetone), Paraben Free: The active ingredient that reacts with the skin to create the tan.  DHA is a colorless, organic, sugar compound that interacts with dead skin cells to produce that coveted bronzed glow.

100% vegan (approved by PETA)

Erythrulose: A natural sugar that helps to prolong and produce a beautiful natural tan when the optimum ratio is mixed with the DHA

Matrixyl 3000 (Peptides): Known as a anti-aging ingredient.

Collagen: Is a type of protein found in the skin. Collagen works in tandem to keep the skin tight and elastic. Used as a anti-aging ingredient.

Aloe Vera: Known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, and also aids in skin moisturization

Hyaluronic Acid: Known for its level of moisturizing the skin

Green Tea: Contains a high level antioxidant polyphenols, (a very potent antioxidant)

CoQ10: Is a vitamin like substance in all human cells and responsible for cell production of the body’s energy.

Ginkgo Bilobal: A potent antioxidant that helps promote blood flow.

By Deann Casias Howard

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How to Avoid an Uneven Fading Tan

Have you ever had a beautiful spray tan that last for days only to have it fade uneven or look like leopard spots or snake skin? This happens a lot around this time of year and also heading into the winter with the change of seasons.  It will typically show up on your legs since your legs have the thinnest layer of skin compared to the rest of your body.  This also happens to be a body part that most women will shave and exfoliate the night before their spray tan.   The reason this happens is not due to the spray tan solution but it's a result of dehydrated skin.  Not only is it very important to stay hydrated by drinking water but you must also moisturize multiple times a day after your spray tan.  You must keep your spray tan sealed and locked in by using a moisturizer which will prevent your skin from becoming dehydrated and producing an unevenly fading spray tan.   A spray tan must be maintained to get the best results and have it naturally fade.  A spray tan is not a permanent solution for a beautiful tan and it should fade within 7-9 days.  If it is not properly cared for the days following the spray tan you could end up with an uneven fading process.   It's  very important to stay hydrated and moisturize multiple times per day to help maintain that beautiful glow and avoid the leopard spotted legs.  If you are looking for more spray tanning tips or how to prepare and care for your spray tan click here.   By Deann Casias Howard

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Your best choice for a beautiful, flawless, safe glow is a spray tan.  There are plenty of spray tanning companies that offer organic products which are paraben free and safe for your skin.  A spray tan can last from 7-9 days and provide you with a much more pleasant experience and no long lasting skin damage.  The next time you want to look your best and want a glow, opt for a spray tan and your skin will thank you.

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How to Remove Spray Tan from Unwanted Areas

It's happened to us all, you wake up the next day and find spray tan on your hands that make you look like you haven't washed your hands in weeks!  You may have forgot to rinse your hands off after the spray tan or the barrier cream didn't do it's job.   It's spring time so you can't wear mittens to cover up your hands to avoid getting those looks in the checkout line.  What do you do? For the most part barrier cream will prevent spray tan solution from collecting in unwanted areas but just in case this happens to you, we have provided some tips to help remove spray tan solution from those unwanted parts of your body. Effective ways to treat light spots:

Lemon juice

Vinegar

Baby oil (let the baby oil rest on your skin for a few minutes and then gently use an exfoliating glove or wash cloth)

Mix baby oil with baking soda to form a paste, then rub the paste on the stained areas

If you have just some small areas that are lighter than the surrounding areas, try using a small dab of self tanner to blend the spot

Magic eraser - this is a tried and tested method for removing marks on your wall but it will also remove light to semi-dark spray tan stains

Effective ways to treat dark spray tan stains on your hands, knees or elbows:

Hydrogen peroxide - this is a common household item that many people have in their medicine cabinets.  It has been used to lighten hair (so I'm told) but it can also be used to remove a spray tan stain.  Rub some hydrogen peroxide on the affected areas and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.  Then take a wash cloth or loofah and scrub the area.  Be very careful that you are using thisonly on the area of concern.  If you are too liberal with it you will remove the spray tan from surrounding areas.

Tan remover (you can purchase tan remover product in most stores)

Acetone or nail polish remover - another household item for most ladies.  Apply the nail polish remover to a cotton ball and wipe the affected area

Heavy duty hand soap.  If your husband has some mechanics soap around the house to remove grease stains from his hands, you will find that a product such as Orange Goop will work as well.  Most of these products have little exfoliater balls in the soap that aid in exfoliating the area.  

Pumice bar - use a pumice bar such as Mr. Pumice.  You can use it wet or dry but a dry pumice bar may work better for our purpose but be careful because it could irritate your skin if you rub too hard.

Helpful tip: If the stained area is not on your hands, remember to wear latex disposable gloves to apply any type of spray tan removal product to any other parts of your body.  You don't want the top of your hands, fingers, wrist or any parts of your arm to inadvertently get exposed to a removal product.   There are many ways to remove unwanted spray tan stains from hands, elbows, knees or feet.  Next time this happens to you, we suggest any of the above or just bookmark this blog post for a quick reference guide.   By Deann Casias Howard

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How Spray Tanning Works

For years many people have wanted that golden glow.  It makes you feel so good when your skin is bronzed and beautiful.  Not many people cared about how they got their tan so they layer out in the sun or used a tanning bed.  As we become more educated about the long term health consequences by over exposure to the sun, we have developed a safe tanning alternative, spray tanning. Some people like to be tan year-round, some people like to tan during the warm months and some just do it for special events.  Spray tanning is so quick and easy that you can choose to do it on your schedule.  You don't need 10 sessions in a tanning bed to get your "base layer" so you tan easier at the beach.  Spray tanning is instant satisfaction and best of all it's safe. Spray tanning has really taken off over the past ten years and the industry and DHA has changed dramatically.  There are still skeptics out there that fear they will turn orange or look too dark.  If your spray tanning technician is using a quality spray tan solution your tan will look natural.   DHA is a the main ingredient in sunless spray tan solutions.  Spray tan solutions come in different percentage DHA so a lower DHA will provide a glow while a higher concentrated DHA will give you a dark, rich bronze.  DHA is a colorless sugar derived from plants such as sugar beets. It has been used to treat medical problems such as skin-pigmentation disorders for more than 50 years. It's also been approved by the U.S. FDA for cosmetic use for decades. DHA has an enzymatic reaction with the amino acids in the outer layer, or epidermis, of the skin, causing the dead skin cells to turn temporarily dark. By contrast, the sun's rays and the UV lights used in tanning beds penetrate into the deepest layers of skin. That's why UV rays and artificial UV lights, such as tanning beds, cause lasting damage.  Read more about the spray tan solutions we use.  The effects of DHA are temporary since you are constantly shedding dead skin cells and most spray tans can last 7-9 days.  Another common ingredient in spray-tanning products today is erythrulose, also a natural sugar, which gets some credit for the more natural (not orange) color of newer spray-tanning products. Manufacturers also add botanicals, moisturizers and aloe vera to help the skin absorb the tanning solution quickly and avoid excessive dryness. The best way to ensure your spray tan comes out even is to get a custom spray tan from a technician. Spray tan booths can often be unreliable for full coverage of your body and often times clients will just drop by a salon and jump in a spray tan booth without preparing.  You think the receptionist cares if you prepared for your spray tan? We can't stress enough how important is to exfoliate the night before your spray tan.  Follow ourspray tan tips for more information on preparing for your spray tan.   Now that you know a little more about how spray tanning works you should feel confident enough to book a spray tan appointment with a spray tan technician.  Spray tanning is a much safer alternative than laying out at the pool all day or fake baking in a tanning bed.  You will thank yourself down the road for opting for a spray tan! Want more proof that spray tanning can make you look great?  View some of our spray tan gallery.   By Deann Casias Howard

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Top 5 tips on how to make your spray tan last longer

It's a common question about sunless tanning, how long will my spray tan last?  There is no predetermined amount of time but generally speaking you can expect 7-9 days but it all depends on how you prepare and care for your spray tan.  Our sunless tanning experts have listed our top tips on how to make your spray tan last. Preparation is half the battle When it comes to spray tanning, proper preparation can be the determining factor of how long your tan will last.  You must exfoliate before each spray tan and we always recommend the night before your spray tan.  Some people prefer to exfoliate two nights before their tan but if you exfoliate at least the night before your tan you should see great results.   It's very important to not use bar soap or Dove soap as this type of soap will leave a film residue on your skin and act as a barrier which will prevent the solution from adhering to those areas.  This will cause a blotchy appearance once your spray tan develops.  We recommend exfoliating with a non oil based, non moisturizing, exfoliating wash to get the best results from your tan.  Follow the link for more information on how to prepare for your tan.   After spray tan care is just as important We typically recommend our clients wait to rinse off the color guard after 12-24 hours.  Most clients will wait 12+ hours before rinsing off but some like to leave it on longer for a darker appearance.  When you rinse off do not use hot water.  You will want to rinse off using luke warm or cold water, warm water can shorten the life of your spray tan.  When rinsing off, use your hand to gently rinse your body.  A loofah or wash cloth will exfoliate your skin and ultimately scrub off your spray tan.   When you dry off, pat dry and do not wipe your skin.  Delicately pat dry your body to insure you do not wipe or scrub off your tan.  As soon as you get out and pat dry, moisturize your body to lock in the spray tan.  It's very important to remember to moisturize at least 3 times daily following your spray tan.  When you moisturize you are hydrating your skin and sealing in your sunless tan which will help the tan last longer.  Follow the link for more information on how to care for your spray tan. Pick up a tan extender Most spray tan extenders will moisturize and bronze.  A spray tan extender is used to add additional DHA to your skin but wait until day 3 or day 4 after your spray tan to use a tan extender.   Drink plenty of water This one is often over looked when you think about extending the life of your spray tan but it goes hand in hand with moisturizing and keeping your skin hydrated.  When your skin is dehydrated it can flake and peel and it will shorten the life of your tan.  If you drink plenty of water your skin will be healthy and glow.   Stay out of swimming pools and hot tubs We provide spray tans to many clients that go away on vacation and we constantly remind our clients that if they want their tan to last than you must avoid pools, hot tubs and the ocean.  Soaking in hot tubs or swimming will without a doubt shorten the life of your tan.  Chlorine and salt water will fade the tan so you will not get the normal 7-9 days of spray tan life span.  If you want to get the longest life out of your sunless tan, stay away from soaking in water.  These are STOP and GLOW's top 5 tips on how to make your spray tan last longer.  There are many other factors involved so educate yourself and read our blog for more spray tan tips.  

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How to Prepare for a Spray Tan

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Nail Salon Lamps May Contribute to Skin Cancer

UV lights are proving once again to be very harmful to our skin.  A new study out of Georgia shows that high exposure to UV lights from nails dryers can contribute to skin cancer.  

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/30/nail-salon-lamps-may-increase-skin-cancer-risk/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

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Skin Exfoliating: Cleanse your skin for the Spring

The Spring is a great time to completely exfoliate your body in preparation for warmer weather.  This means exfoliating, deep pore cleansing, and deep hydration. Your skin will be silky smooth and it will also be the perfect palate for sunless tanning.   We came across a great read by Dr. Cynthia Bailey that will provide you with tips to spring clean your

skin.

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Why Dark Skinned People Should Wear Sunscreen

Contrary to common perception, according to Researchers at the Cincinnati University in the US, people with dark skin should wear sunscreen as they are actually more likely to die from skin cancer than those with fairer skin. Although the...