Summer is upon us, which means everyone wants a perfect sun-kissed glow, we all know that hitting the tarmac in a pair of shorts with a tan is THE best feeling.
Now you may be wondering if a sun tan or a spray tan is right for you?
Here at Wild About Tan, we hope to debunk the myths about spray tanning and show you why a spray tan should be your choice this summer (or any other time of the year!)
Is a spray tan safe?
Yes! A spray tan is far safer than sun tanning. Sun tanning causes skin damage from UV exposure and has the main risk of skin cancer. A spray tan uses no UV rays, and the products we use at WAT are paraben-free and include lots of skin-friendly nutrients and oils.
MYTH: Spray tan is harmful to your skin
TRUTH: Wrong! Not so long ago, doctors agreed that spray tanning is harmless!
The active ingredient in spray tanning products is a compound called DHA. DHA stands for dihydroxyacetone. This is shown to react with the dead cells on the surface of the skin and is a temporary effect that lasts about a week.
Spray tan vs Sun tan
Summertime means going out with friends, drinks in beer gardens, and beach trips! Being in the sun is not a bad thing. Everyone should enjoy their summer safely!
Top tip to keep cool from Wendy at TheLakesBeautyRoom: “A top tip for keeping your skin cool and hydrated. Keep your spritz toner in the fridge, and spritz on your face and neck throughout the day.”
Getting a sun tan may seem easy, however, to get a deep tan you may have to bake under the harsh sunlight for a few hours if not more. You cannot customise a sun tan but you can customise a spray tan. At WAT you can customise your tan and it will develop over time to achieve a deep tan without damaging your skin in a far shorter period of time.
MYTH: spray tan is orange
TRUTH: NO, NO, NO! Orange is like a swear word in the tanning vocab! We can assure you that our WAT professionals will give you a spray tan that mimics a sun tan perfectly, no one will ever know the difference.
Sun tans are harmful for your skin, but you also have the risk of getting sunburn. A spray tan will give you an even colour application and will not leave any streaks that you may otherwise get from tanning lotion or sun burns.
As a spray tan sits on the top layer of skin, the sea can act as a natural exfoliant which can make it fade faster, as can getting sweaty. For this, we would recommend taking a top-up product on your hols so that you can always keep up your tan.
What about sunbeds?
Here at Wild About Tan, we would highly recommend staying away from sunbeds.
A study found that having exposure to sunbeds before the age of 35 can increase the risk of melanoma by up to 75%
Some experts even believe that sunbeds are more damaging than the sun as a sunbed can emit roughly 12 times more UV light than natural sunlight would.
Can I get a sunburn with a spray tan?
A spray tan does not act as SPF and the layer of spray tan, as fabulous as it may look, will not protect you from the sun or form any barrier.
MYTH: You cannot get burnt whilst you have a spray tan
TRUTH: Did you know that nearly 90% of melanomas are thought to be caused by exposure to UV light and sunlight?
Many people believe that having a spray tan will reduce their risk of getting sun burn. At WAT, we highly recommend that you apply sun cream as often as you can, slapping on SPF even when you think you don’t need it won’t hurt you! Remember to top up sun cream when getting out of the sea or swimming pool to keep that protection!
We asked Wendy at TheLakesBeautyRoom about her tips and tricks for looking after your skin in the summer sun: “Of course, it’s essential that through all the seasons you use an SPF but particularly through summer time. I would suggest a minimum of SPF 25, and in fact, if you’re out in the sunshine for more than an hour, I would recommend an SPF 50 product.
Always ensure that you use an SPF product specifically for the face. If you use an SPF product that is meant for the body on your face, then you are likely to get clogged pores, blackheads and spots. Try and use a daily moisturiser that already has SPF in it.”
Spray tanning is a safer alternative to sun tanning however you still have to look after that gorgeous skin! We are all about protecting your skin so please look after it.
At Wild About Tan, we preach about the merits of spray tanning and hope that you choose the safest option for you and your skin.
To learn more about if spray tanning is right for you, check out our FAQs here
If you would like to start your spray tan journey, book an appointment with one of our professionals today.