How to create the perfect spray tan

Q: I’m newly trained in tanning. How can I create the perfect tan every time?

When clients come to you for a treatment, they want a bronzed tan reminiscent of summer holidays and good health. There are a few things you can do to ensure you achieve that flawless tan for every customer.

Exfoliation is key as the skin needs to be prepped in order to achieve the most flawless result. Getting clients to use a skin polish prior to treatment will get rid of dead cells and create a blank, even base to start the tanning process.

When it comes to the tanning solution, less is more in terms of application. You only need a super-fine mist to get the best result. Not only will this create a faster drying tan for your client, it will get you more applications from a litre. It also means your client should be able to walk out of the salon without feeling tacky or wet.

You need to use a barrier cream pre-treatment to protect drier areas of skin such as the hands, elbows, knees and feet from absorbing too much DHA. The cream will stop these areas developing as dark as the rest of body, creating a more natural-looking tan. At the end of treatment, use a damp cloth to wipe away any barrier cream on the palms and fingernails.

Finally, don’t let clients leave without the proper aftercare advice: no contact with water for at least six to eight hours, avoid activities that will make them perspire, rinse in the shower with water only when the tan is ready to come off and moisturise daily with a non-oily product.

Rachel Lewis is head of training and education at professional tanning brand Vita Liberata. She has three years’ experience delivering expert knowledge in the industry.