Archive for March, 2010
Prepping for Spring Break
For spring break this year, some friends and I embarked on a trip to Cabo to rest and recharge before our last quarter of college. Fortunately for me, I was the lucky one when we drew responsibilities for the trip, and the only thing that I had to do was ensure we had transportation to and from the airport. This left me time to make some more in-depth personal preparations.
Having lived in Minnesota the last four years, the opportunities to get a tan have been few and far between, and the last thing I wanted to do was go to Mexico with a pasty complex. Having been petrified by the horror stories I hear about tanning beds, I decided to get a spray on tan instead. The results were amazing, and when I was on the beach in Cabo, no one could tell the difference.
Spray Tanning Innovations
When most people hear of mobile tanning businesses, they probably think of unprofessional tanning artists driving around is sketchy looking vehicles and leaving people with an artificial orange glow. The fact of the matter is that with the recent developments and innovations in tanning technology, mobile spray tanners can offer the same quality services as those operating in brick-and-mortar locations. One of the most important pieces of equipment for the industry is the tanning tent.
The popup models can literally be setup and packed away in seconds, ensuring that you don’t spend excess time on location. The confines of the tent allow for a professional and confidential atmosphere no matter where you go for business. Not only will the tent give a spray tanning business a more professional façade, but it will also help ensure that every customer gets the best quality service.
Spray Tanning: Type IV Skin
The final skin tone that we will be discussing in our series is Type IV skin. People with this dark shade of skin tend to be from Hispanic, Mediterranean or Asian descent. Although they still have a mild sensitivity to the sun and may burn a little, people with Type IV skin will—more than likely—be able to achieve a superb tan.
If you have Type IV skin, go for an extra dark tanning solution with a DHA percentage in the double-digits. This will ensure that the tan is dark enough to augment the color of your skin. No matter what your skin tone is, however, it is advisable to test out the solution on a discreet area of your body so that you know what the final product will look like.
Spray Tanning: Type III Skin
The first two skin types that we have discussed are certainly in the minority. While some people go from a milky white complexion to looking like a lobster, most of us are able to achieve some form of tan with sufficient sun exposure. Most Caucasians will fall into the Type III skin category.
People with Type III skin have some sensitivity to the sun and will burn with excessive exposure. However, by taking the proper precautions, people with Type III skin will be able to achieve an adequate tan. When it comes to a sunless tan solution, a product with a DHA percentage of about nine will be optimal.
Spray Tanning: Type II Skin
When it comes to determining skin tones for spray tanning, everyone fits into a spectrum. Last time we went over Type I, the palest skin type, and today we will move up a notch to Type II. People with Type II skin have similar characteristics as those with Type I, and are also quite sensitive to the sun and have fair skin.
Like people with Type I skin, Type II skin types generally burn easily with sun exposure, with the only difference being that they are able to achieve a light tan. For people with fair skin who don’t tan easily, it is important to pick a solution that complements your natural skin tone. When selecting a spray tan solution, look for products that have from 7-9 percent DHA. This solution will help you achieve a natural-looking tan that doesn’t have an artificial orange glow.
Spray Tanning: Type I Skin
Over the next few posts, we will be giving in-depth descriptions of the four basic skin types and which sunless tanning solution should be used for each. Usually people base their skin type on how oily or dry their skin is, but when it comes to tanning, the tone of your skin is much more important. The first type of skin that we will be highlighting is Type I.
Type I skin is extremely fair and has a high sensitivity to sun exposure. People with Type I skin burn easily and often have an abundance of freckles. Achieving a tan is difficult for people with Type I skin, even with considerable sun exposure. When it comes to sunless tanning, use an original style tanning solution that has a DHA percentage around seven; this will ensure that you don’t end up looking orange.
Tanning Solution for By Skin Type
As we all know, the natural tone of your skin affects how your body will receive a tan. Those with pale skin have to take certain precautions before being exposed to the sun, and if they are able to achieve a tan, chances are that the tone will still be lighter than someone who started with darker skin. We tend to pay attention to skin differences when it comes to tanning in the sun, but it is important to consider skin type with sunless tanning as well.
Over the next few weeks, we will be giving in-depth descriptions of the four skin types. Being able to identify your skin type is essential to properly caring for your skin and selecting the appropriate tanning solution. Tomorrow we will start at the beginning, with Type I skin.
The Risks of Tanning Beds
Not only can airbrush tanning give you an attractive bronze veneer, but it also is a safe alternative to virtually every other method of tanning. Tanning beds expose us to damaging UV rays. There are two types of UV rays, and they both can be detrimental in their own way.
UVA, or long wave radiation, are the rays that penetrate deep into the body and can create a host of medical problems. The more damaging rays, however, are more likely UVB, also known as short wave radiation. These rays are the ones that cause sunburn and create the most severe skin cancer, malignant melanoma.
My Own Tanning Business
When I first endeavored to start a tanning business, I knew virtually nothing about the industry. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I was well aware that there was a year-round need for tanning. Since there was a high demand and virtually no supply, the tanning business was a no-brainer. In order to stay in business, however, I knew that I would have to hone my skills before marketing myself to a broad audience.
Luckily, I was able to find a website that offered spray tan business consulting. Not only did they help me develop my business plan, but they also explained the ins-and-outs of the craft—from choosing the right solutions to how to apply the tan properly. After two years, I am proud to say that the business is thriving and I am ready to hire on two new tanning artists.
Tanning for Spring Break
For Spring Break this year, some friends and I are heading south of the border to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I haven’t been to Mexico since I was two years old, so I am excited to go on a trip there that I will actually remember. Although the vacation is still a few weeks away, I am already hastily making preparations to ensure that everything is in order.
Living in Montana, there are literally no opportunities to take in the sun this time of year. Since I have a pasty white complexion, I don’t want to go to Mexico and burn myself to a crisp. I am also diametrically opposed to tanning beds, so they simply aren’t an option. One of my friends suggested I try a sunless spray tan; not only does my skin look great, but I also know that I don’t have to contemplate the myriad of health risks inherent in other forms of tanning.