Baby it’s cold outside, and you’re now all white and pasty! If you want to get that summer glow back, but are unsure as to which tanning solution is best for you, then read our tanning guide:
Tanning Units
Tanning units achieve a natural looking glow without having to venture to foreign climates to see some real sun. The skin will tan as if in sunlight, so your natural tan will develop. Obviously, your skin type will determine how much you’ll tan and how deeply and those will lighter skin may need more sessions to achieve a sun kissed glow that those with darker skin tones.
Tans developed on tanning tables will last longer than spray or cream tan, and won’t rub off onto clothing or bedding while they develop.
Tanning units can either be laydown or stand-up and individual sessons last between 4 and 14 minutes depending on your skin tone.
Tanning beds generally work better for people who tan well. People with very pale skin who don’t tan naturally or burn easily, should consider alternative methods of tanning.
Spray Tans
The quick and easy way to get an almost instant tan, a spray tan takes minutes to apply and a few hours to develop. You can decide how deep you want your tan to look.
Spray tans will last up to a week, depending on how rigorously you scrub yourself in the bath or shower, or if you do a lot exercise that means you sweat a lot. They will be streak-free, even, and give you a healthy glow that instantly makes you look slimmer and healthier.
Spray tans can stain clothing and bedding while they develop, but should wash out in a normal wash.
You will need to exfoliate thoroughly before having a spray tan to ensure that your tan isn’t patchy and be make-up and any kind of body lotion free before you arrive for your spray tan.
Cream Tans
Cream tans not only give a very natural appearance of a tan, they are also a relaxing experience as the cream tan is massaged into your body.
Cream tans usually last a little longer than a spray tan—between 7 and 10 days, although they are most definitely better done by professionals. Home cream-tanning can often lead to streaky tans and orange hands!
An all-over exfoliation is a must before a cream tan, paying particular attention to areas where the skin may be a little harder such as the back of the ankles, elbows and knees.
As with spray tans there may be some transference of the product onto clothing and bedding while the tan develops, so it’s best to avoid wearing light coloured clothing and use old bedding and towels for the first couple of days.
The process of having a cream tan will take longer than the application of a spray tan, as the product needs to be thoroughly worked into the skin to avoid any patches or streaks.
