I’m having a lot of brides-to-be come through my doors at the moment so I thought I’d give a few tips to consider:

You're getting married;

You have your formal; or

You have a very special occasion.

Book a trial spray tan a few weeks out from your special day (so you can get another one if you're not happy with the first one).Do your research on your spray tan technician. Check for history, experience, client reviews, solutions used, qualifications etc.Ensure your technician seems knowledgeable about her product, why she’s matching you to the colour she is etc. Ask questions.Once you’re satisfied with the colour and even application of your tan, book a second trial. Arrange for this two days prior to your trial make-up session as your make-up artist needs to practise on the correctly coloured skin tone.With your trial spray tan, try your dress on and take photos and a video to ensure the tan looks as good on screen as it does in real life; your photos are forever so it is important to look great on them too.Book your wedding /special day spray tan two days prior to the big day (allowing for ‘settling’ time).If you’re getting manicures and pedicures, book them for before your spray tan or ensure that the nail technician does not use any oils on your skin and ask that they eliminate the massage part of their procedure (as this may lighten your tan in those areas).If you're getting waxing done (eyebrows included), get this done at least 24 hours prior to your spray tan.Ensure your bridesmaids/bridal party are a similar colour to you; peferably all book in to the same salon (on the trial booking too so you can compare). You don’t want any standout tans!Check your husband-to-be’s complexion i.e. if he’s very fair then you don’t want to wash him out and vice versa, if he has a dark complexion, you don’t want to look washed out.And, last but not least, a ‘summer glow’ is always best on your wedding day.

I hope this blog has given you some help to plan your big day. Please follow me on Instagram (@ThatSprayTanPlace), Facebook (That Spray Tan Place - Gold Coast) and Twitter (@ThatSprayTanPla) for more top tips.

Please call to make your next booking or book online. Speak soon, Nic 0414 399 701 nic@thatspraytanplace.com.au

There seem to be so many festivals around at the moment so I thought I'd put together a little to-do list for all of you free spirits so you know how to keep your spray tans looking fabulous (as, let's face it, there will be some mornings that you'll be relying on your tan to make you look fresh as a daisy!).

SPRAY TAN TO-DO LIST

Drink LOTS of water; more than you usually would as I'm sure there will be a little alcohol passing your lips. A dehydrated body will mean dehydrated skin and that's not great for the longevity of your spray tan.Moisturise each morning using a good hydrating moisturiser (nothing too oily as this will strip your tan; stick to lotions and milks).If using sun screen, ensure you use a water based one and not an oil based one (as this will prematurely fade your tan).Use a tan extender to ensure your tan is kept in tip top condition.Have fun! Spray tans love it when you dance a lot and sing at the top of your voice! (not really but you will feel great doing it!).

I hope this blog has given you some help to plan your trip away. Please follow me on (@ThatSprayTanPlace), (That Spray Tan Place - Gold Coast) and T (@ThatSprayTanPla) for more top tips.

Please call to make your next booking or book .

Speak soon, Nic 0414 399 701nic@thatspraytanplace.com.au

Due to the increased awareness of the risks of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, spray tanning is becoming a more and more popular alternative. Although spray tanning is the ‘safe’ way to give your skin that tanned look, many people do question if it is 100% hazard-free for their skin.

So, the question is:

Is spray tanning a safe alternative to a real tan?

The main ingredient in a spray tan is Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This is currently approved by the TGA (the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration) and FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) for external use only (not inhalation). So, as a salon owner, care should be taken to ensure that fumes are not inhaled by the technicians or the clients. DHA is a colourless sugar that interacts with the dead cells located in the stratum corneum of the epidermis. It is often derived from plant sources such as sugar beets and sugar cane. Today, DHA (along side erythrulose) is the main active ingredient in all sunless tanning skincare preparation and is considered the most effective sun-free tanning additive.

As the safety of inhaling DHA is so unclear at the moment, I believe it’s best to stay on the right side of caution and, although I don’t want to ring any alarm bells, I would rather my clients be informed with the facts so as to make their own choices regarding their spray application.

First and foremost, the best way to eradicate most over spray (and therefore inhalation) is by ensuring the salon you visit uses a spray tan extractor fan/s. This is a ventilator that filters all the over spray and makes it a cleaner and safer environment for both the technician and the client; it draws in the excess tanning solution in the air and takes it into the filter and then throws back out the cleaned air.

Questions to ask when booking in for a spray tan:

-Do you have an extractor fan at your tanning salon?

-Do you provide nose filters and/or a mask to prevent inhalation of DHA?

(Nose filters sit in the nostrils and can be kept on when the face is being sprayed / a face mask would need to be removed if the face was to be sprayed so you would need to hold your breath in this instance so as to not inhale the spray)

-Do you provide goggles?

(Obviously, eye wear would need to be removed should you require your face to be sprayed but keeping your eyes closed throughout the tanning procedure is always recommended)

-Do you supply disposable undergarments to cover my private parts?

(These areas are more sensitive than other areas)

That Spray Tan Place uses an extractor fan with every application and offers all of the above mentioned protection.

I hope this blog has given you some good information. Please follow me on Instagram (@ThatSprayTanPlace), Facebook (That Spray Tan Place - Gold Coast) and Twitter (@ThatSprayTanPla) for more top tips.

Please call to make your next booking or book online. Speak soon, Nic 0414 399 701 nic@thatspraytanplace.com.au

I've been asked a few times this week about the things that fade a spray tan the most. So, try to avoid all of the below if you've recently visited a spray tan salon.

Ssshhhhh...also see my top tip on how to remove old spray tan! No need to buy those fancy, expensive scrubs and mitts!

Oil

If exfoliating the day of your spray tan, ensure you use an exfoliator that doesn’t contain oil (sugar scrubs often include oils so avoid these).

Shaving

Shave lightly when you have a spray tan so as to avoid taking any of your tan off in the process. Obviously, avoid waxing as this will completely remove the top layer of dead skin cells and leave you with a very clear white area!

Ocean / Swimming Any immersion in water for a long period of time will fade your spray tan (especially swimming pool water containing chlorine).

Hot Showers Try to keep your showers just warm (and quick) and not hot as this will very quickly remove your spray tan.

SLSs ( Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)

Found in body washes, shampoo, toothpastes (anything that foams), this ingredient can really strip your spray tan. Always try to buy 'SLS Free' for your health generally and to preserve your beautiful spray tan.

Cell Turnover

As much as this hurts me to say, young people’s cells rejuvenate more often so their tan will fade quicker – it’s the law of nature.Fruit Acids

In creams, these will fade your tan.

That's it for now. Please call me on 0414 399 701 or book online if you would like an amazing spray tan.

Nic

That Spray Tan Place

Does running a successful business seem like a dream to those of you with small children and little flexibility? Using TechnoTan, Nic Scarce from ‘That Spray Tan Place’ made this dream her reality. This is her story:

Having worked in a full-time corporate job, Nic made the decision in 2011 to look for a different career; one better suited to the lifestyle she and her partner were planning for. Children were on the cards and a double income was essential. Having no job or income was simply not an option. So what did Nic do in this situation? Became a TechnoTan Technician of course!

In 2011, Nic opened her spray tan business in Sydney. She gained a nice clientele base which gradually became busier by the time she was full term with her first daughter. As most of her income was generated in the evenings, Nic was able to have more free time during the day. This made it easier to look after her daughter, born in March 2013. It was after the birth of her first child that she was set on spray tanning as her main source of income. Having a home studio business meant Nic had the flexibility to look after her child while still generating a healthy income. It is a way to “avoid child care costs as much as possible.”

After opening ‘That Spray Tan Place,’ it was clear the new job and lifestyle was exactly what a working mum would hope for. “I wouldn’t go back to my corporate job” said Nic. TechnoTan provided the support she needed to create the successful spray-on tan business. To start, Nic targeted a few local businesses by offering complimentary spray tans. Once in, discussions about collaborating together started to occur, which seemed very promising. Nic would provide discounts and in return receive new clients, sent to her by these new local business relations. Agreements were made to promote each other’s business on their respective websites. “It was free advertising; a win-win situation for both parties.” Nic also utilised the realm of social media ambassadors, giving complimentary tans to people with large followings on Instagram. This is a great way to get reviews and client awareness! Now, Nic had gained a client base of potential advocates, ranging from photographers to dance studios. “People love to receive discounts when showing off their image on social media posts. It’s quite an easy way to get exposure.”

Business was going well for Nic and in February of 2015, baby number two arrived. Wanting to be closer to family, she decided to move to the Gold Coast. But, it did create challenges for Nic when finding safe places for her children to play. So, a decision was made to install a gated children’s play area within her salon. This added to her success in spray-tanning as she could now target a new market; mothers who struggle to do things with children in tow. What a unique selling point this became for her! Overcoming this hurdle gave Nic the time and flexibility to spray around 10-15 clients per day which gives her a daily income of $400 – $600; not bad huh?

Having been sprayed by a TechnoTan technician for her wedding day, Nic fell in love and never looked back. She said she “tried all other brands out there but TechnoTan is the best hands down every time.” Nic is an inspiration and perfect example of how a busy mother of two can successfully run a TechnoTan business from home. You too, could be as incredible as we at TechnoTan believe she is. Please check out ‘That Spray Tan Place’ and follow her daily success here:

Website: www.thatspraytanplace.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatspraytanplace/ Instagram: @thatspraytanplace Pinterest: https://au.pinterest.com/SprayTanPlace/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicscarce YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSNdD-s-BfC-Br35X4iFnUg

If you are thinking of becoming a TechnoTan Technician like Nic, please contact the team at our Head Office: (08) 9412 3000.

The TechnoTan Team

Our skin is made up of two main layers: the epidermis (the outer layers) and the dermis (the deeper layers) – see below picture:

The Epidermis

This is the barrier layer and has no direct blood supply, but instead is supported and fed by the dermis. The epidermis is our interface to the world and has two main layers, the inner layer (of which is living) and the outer layer (of which is dead). The stratum corneum (horny layer) is the collection of cells that we see as our skin; the outer layer of dead cells. The cells in this layer are filled with a protein called keratin. Keratin is a protein and our hair and fingernails gain their strength from this. It also forms the visible skin but in a much thinner and more flexible layer. This layer is the one affected by most sunless tanning products.

The Dermis

The dermis is the layer containing all the ‘equipment’ – it contains sweat glands, hair follicles nerve endings and so on.

This is a colourless sugar that interacts with the dead cells located in the stratum corneum of the epidermis (mentioned earlier). It is often derived from plant sources such as sugar beets and sugar cane, and by the fermentation of glycerin.

DHA causes a chemical reaction with the amino acids in the skin, which are part of the protein containing keratin in the skin’s surface. The resulting pigments are called melanoidins. These are similar in colour to melanin (the natural substance in the deeper skin layers of the skin which go brown or ‘tan’ from exposure to UV rays). This change usually lasts about five to seven days from the initial application, until the natural dead skin cells naturally wear away from the surface of your skin. Did you know that every 35 to 45 days, you have an entirely new epidermis?

Today, DHA is the main active ingredient in all sunless tanning skincare preparations. It may be used alone or combined with other tanning components such as erythrulose. DHA is considered the most effective sun-free tanning additive.

Sunless tanning products contain DHA in concentrations ranging from 1% to 15%. Professional tanning solutions range from 5% to 15%. The percentages correspond with the product coloration levels from light to dark. The artificial tan takes 2 to 4 hours to begin appearing on the skin surface, and will continue to darken for the next 24 to 48 hours, depending on formulation type. Exfoliation, prolonged water submersion or heavy sweating can lighten the tan, as these all contribute to rapid dead skin cell exfoliation.

Traditionally, a spray tan is left on for about 6 – 8 hours. After this period, the bronzer / colour guide is washed away revealing the developed tan underneath. This will continue to develop over the next few hours.

With a 2 hour tan you are able to wash the solution off after just 2 hours. However, this does not mean your tan would be rapidly developed. It will develop at the same speed as a ‘traditional’ spray tan, but you are able to wash off the bronzer / colour guide and get on with your day whilst the tan continues to develop over the next few hours. Once washed off after 2 hours, you may feel that your tan has not developed much but 3-4 hours after application you will begin to rapidly see the tan developing; it will be at its peak development at around 8-12 hours.

REFERENCE TO BAD PUBLICITY REGARDING SPRAY TANNING

Are ‘Spray-On’ Tans Safe? Experts Raise Questions as Industry Puts Out Warnings

By MARK GREENBLATT and GITIKA AHUJA | Good Morning America – Mon, Jun 11, 2012 3:07 PM EDT

Snippet of the report:

The FDA told ABC News it never could have envisioned the chemical’s use in spray tan back in the 1970s, and says “DHA should not be inhaled or ingested” today. It tells consumers on its website, “The use of DHA in ‘tanning’ booths as an all-over spray has not been approved by the FDA, since safety data to support this use has not been submitted to the agency for review and evaluation.”

The agency advises consumers who spray tan they are “not protected from the unapproved use of this color additive” if they are inhaling the mist or allowing it to get inside their body. The agency recommends, “Consumers should request measures to protect their eyes and mucous membranes and prevent inhalation.” *

RESPONSE

Snippet from the response from Simone Llewellyn, Oztan Director regarding the Channel 9 News report on the above American report:

Click here for full response:

Currently DHA is approved by the Australian Government departments NICNAS and the TGA as well as the American FDA and the European EU Directives. These are the regulations we follow and cannot even access ingredients not approved by these departments.

At Oztan we only use Ecocert organic DHA which is sourced from sugar. We do not use synthetic DHA, Propylene Glycol, Parabens or synthetic fragrance.

DHA is perfectly safe to use on the skin and has been used since the 1950s. For safe practice while spray tanning I would recommend good ventilation and an extraction filter unit.

*Please note:

That Spray Tan Place stocks TechnoTan and this contains only certified organic DHA and no parabens or alcohol. That Spray Tan Place By also uses an extractor filter unit, has good ventilation and stocks nasal filters, eye wear and face masks (as recommended by the FDA) should you require them.

A while ago a friend and spray tanning client tagged me on a Facebook post that was titled 'Pregnancy Beauty Routine - What's Safe and What's Not?'. The author of this article talks about various beauty procedures including spray tanning and, in a nutshell, states that:

"Salon spray tans and home tanning application kits are considered to be safe in pregnancy."

*UPDATE (23rd June 17): I wrote to the author back in February 2016 and gave my thoughts and, although I didn't get a response, the post has since been updated to reflect the safety procedures such as wearing a mask, eyewear etc.

I would ask here, "Who has considered spray tanning to be a safe procedure during pregnancy?"

The author goes on to say that this is because the active ingredient, DHA, is non-toxic and does not penetrate the outer layer of the skin so can not be absorbed in to the body. This is true but, when you visit a spray tan salon, you're inhaling/ingesting spray tan solution and therefore the DHA is entering your system.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved DHA for external use only and it is restricted to external application only. They advise not inhaling or ingesting DHA or letting it get in to your eyes.

For 18 months of the five years I've been spray tanning for my business, That Spray Tan Place, I've been pregnant so whether I feel spray tanning is safe for pregnant ladies has been a big topic for me. I did a lot of research when I first fell pregnant and I contacted various tanning manufacturers to get their opinions on whether they felt it was safe for a pregnant woman to be spray tanned or to be a spray tan technician; essentially performing several spray tans per day and breathing in a lot more than the odd application here and there. And, to be honest, all came back to me saying they felt it was safe and no-one had had any problems. This really surprised me as, knowing inhalation of DHA is not approved by the FDA due to lack of testing, how can anyone be sure of this? So, this didn't sit well with me as I was pregnant with my first, very precious, little person who was growing inside my body so anything I breathed in, so did she.

I came to the conclusion that, as DHA had only been approved for external application and not inhalation, I was going to wear a mask (including filters), eyewear and ensure I had top of the range, tanning specific extractor fans within my salon. And, to not be totally selfish towards my clients, as I truly care for their wellbeing too, I offer eyewear, facemasks, nasal filters, protective under garments and lip balm to each and evey one of them. Surprisingly, none of my clients have said they have been given this option by any other spray tanner prior to visiting me.

So, will I spray tan a pregnant lady? The answer is that no, until they have passed the three-month mark, I will not spray tan a pregnant lady. There is no evidence to suggest that inhaling DHA is safe so I personally won't make the assumption it is ok. Once they are passed this crucial, early stage, I ask that they sign a disclaimer to say they are happy that I apply a spray tan, that they have been made aware of all the facts about DHA and that they have been offered protective goggles, masks, lip balms, under garments etc. to ensure measures are taken to eliminate any solution mist getting in contact with their eyes, mucus membranes or nasal passages.

Also, even though I am no longer pregnant, I religiously wear my mask and eyewear during every spray tan application. I explain to all my new clients why I do this and offer them the same protection. It is then up to my client to decide whether they choose to use this protection or not. They all sign a disclaimer to confirm their decision.

I hope I have given you an informative blog post. Please leave me a comment or visit my website www.thatspraytanplace.com.au or get in contact via my Contact page.

Nic Scarce

Owner / Operator - That Spray Tan Place, Gold Coast, Queensland