FAQ
Q: When should I get a spray tan?
A: If you would like to be tan for a special event we recommend coming
in to Brazil Bronze for your spray tan the day before, or as close to
the event as possible (allowing for at least 12 hours before your next
shower.)
Q: How often can I get a spray tan?
A: You can get a Brazil Bronze spray tan just one time for a special
event or you can visit us once a week to maintain a year-round glow. It
is best to exfoliate any old self tanner from your skin before coming in
for a fresh application.
Q: Do I need to scrub before I spray tan?
A: It doesn't hurt to buff your skin a bit before coming to the salon
for a spray tan, but you only need to seriously scrub if you already
have old self tanner on your skin.
Q: How should I prepare for my spray tan?
A: Do any waxing, shaving, manicures or pedicures before you come for
your spray tan. If possible, come with clean skin, no lotions, make-up
or deodorant (although you may take this off once you reach the salon,
if you prefer.) Bring something a little bit loose and dark to wear
after your spray tan. Don't go to the gym and avoid sweating immediately
after being sprayed. Avoid the rain, bring an umbrella with you just in
case!
We can spray tan over your make-up if you are going somewhere right
after your spray - it actually looks really nice. The only negative is
that often people go to sleep with self tanner on (as it is best to wait
4 - 12 hours to shower) and most people dont like to go to bed with an
unwashed face...
Q: What should I wear for my spray tanning session?
A: That depends on if you want tan lines or not. If you dont want tan
lines you should skip undergarments. If you prefer to wear your own
undies or swim wear chose something black - although the tinted self
tanner washes out of most fabrics it can stain nylon and leather. Also,
the clothes you choose to wear home after your spray tan should be loose
and dark - a little self tanner can come off on the inside of your
clothes right after you are sprayed.
Q: What can I expect when I visit Brazil Bronze Glow Bar?
A: You will get ready for your spray tan in a private room at our New
York City salon by getting undressed. You may choose to wear your own
underwear, a pair of our discreet paper panties, or nothing at all -
whatever is most comfortable for you.
If you have on nail polish or a light color on your fingers and toes we
will gently cover your nails with a thin coat of Vaseline to prevent
discoloration. We do encourage you to wear one of our shower caps to
help protect your hair as well.
We will then discuss your preferred shade of skin color and any add on
treatments you are interested in such as the Cellulite Anihilator or
Sculpting.
The actual spray tan process only takes a few minutes. The technician
will show you step by step all the different positions to stand in as
your body is coated in a glorious new bronze. The tinted spray tan feels
like a cool mist, most people are pleasantly surprised that there is
absolutely no smell. As the spray tan goes on you will immediately see
color appear on your skin. This is the 'color guide' and allows the
technician to see where the spray tan is going. This initial color is
attractive, and gets a little darker when you leave and the actual self
tanning product starts to work on your skin.
After being sprayed you will stand in front of a fan for a few minutes.
You may notice that you feel a tiny bit sticky. The reason for this is
that the self tanner is in an aloe vera gel. This very moisturized
feeling goes away after about an hour. The spray tan is based in an aloe
gel to prevent your tan from being removed when you put your clothes on
- it allows the tan to slide a little bit on your skin. Dont worry if
when you get home you notice a little smudge where an item of clothing
scuffed your spray tan; when you shower the sheeting action of the water
will even out the tan - kind of like the way spots will come off glasses
in the dishwasher.
Q: How does the spray tan formula work?
A: Spray tan, or self tanner (DHA) is not a cosmetic. The active
ingredient soaks into the upper layers of your skin and causes the
superficial layers of the epidermis to oxidize. It is similar to the
reaction that occurs when you cut an apple and it turns brown. The
active ingredient (DHA) occurs naturally in sugar beets and has been
approved for application to the skin since the 1950s. It is a safe, well
tolerated product. Most dermatologists highly recommend self tanning as
an easy alternative to the sun's harmful rays.
Q: How long should I wait to shower after my spray tan?
A: You should wait anywhere from 4 to 12 hours to shower. If it is your
first spray tan it is best to wait a full 8 hours. During your shower
you will see a tea color rinsing off of your skin. Dont worry, your tan
is still intact! This is just the color guide rinsing off and is meant
to happen. Before you shower you may look quite dark as you will be
seeing the developed self tanner with the color guide on top - after you
shower, the tan will look quite natural. When you jump out of the shower
take a look at yourself while you are still wet - if any area looks
uneven just blend it with your fingers - the tan is blendable while wet
then jump back in the shower for a second. Pat yourself gently to dry.
Q: How long will my spray tan last?
A: Your Brazil Bronze spray tan will last anywhere from 4-5 days to over
a week, depending on:
How much time you spend in the shower or bath
What products you use on your skin, body, and hair
How often you exercise and sweat
Q: Can I choose the shade of my spray tan?
A: Yes! You can choose anything from a healthy glowing tan to a deep
tan; although there is no 'color chart'. We will help guide you toward a
choice that will work well with your own natural skin color. Because the
spray tan product works with your skin's natural chemistry, no two
people will have the exact same result. Our spray tan product is known
for giving a natural, warm color - not orange, yellow or ashy like some
other self tanning products on the market.
Q: What if I think my hands and feet look too pale?
A: We usually prefer to go a little lighter on the hands and feet,
elbows and knees. These areas look better with a lighter touch as the
skin absorbs self tanner differently than the rest of your body. In our
experience, if your spray tan has been applied properly - your friends
will simply notice that you look great! However, if too much self tanner
settles in your knuckles and between the fingers it can look glaringly
fake. For this reason our technicians prefer to spray your hands and
feet a little lighter than the rest of your body. With this in mind, we
ask that you respect our technicians' years of spray tanning experience
and allow them to handle the spraying of your hands and feet gently.
Q: My spray tan is starting to fade, how do I get it off?
A: Contrary to popular belief you can't just scrub off the spray tan. If
you don't believe us - give it a try! The spray tan is attached to the
upper layers of your skin and gently fades as your skin exfoliates. If
you go into the shower with a grainy scrub you will have very little
success removing the tan. The thing to do is to take a long soak in a
tub (saunas and Jacuzzis are also great) the idea is to soften the skin
and get it steamy. Then is the time to work with a scrub, wash cloth,
loofah or scrubbing mitts. We recommend Brazil Bronze Glow Erazer. It is
an extremely gentle glycolic body wash. Once your skin is soft from
soaking in the tub, create a gentle lather with the glycolic body wash
and let it sit on the skin while you gently scrub each body part. When
you get out of the tub with skin warm and steamy, take a rough towel and
buff the body - this will remove almost all of the spray tan. Then, just
hop under the shower to rinse off.
Q: Is spray tanning safe?
A: Our tanning solution has the active ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone).
DHA has been approved for cosmetic use by the FDA, the Canadian Health
Ministry, and the EU nations. It is considered non toxic and non
carcinogenic. Because DHA does not use the skin's melanocytes to make
the skin tan it is recommended as a cosmetic remedy for improving the
appearance of vitiligo. DHA-based sunless tanning has been recommended
by the Skin Cancer Organization, American Academy of Dermatologists,
Canadian Dermatology Association, The American Cancer Society and the
American Medical Society.
