SUGARING is the BEST Skin Preparation for a Perfect Spray-Tan!

By: nimmaco

Are you about to go for your spray tan and wondering what preparation you need to do? We’ve got you covered with this guide …

There are lots of important preparations to do when it comes to spray-tanning your skin, and above all it is essential to prepare by exfoliating to ensure that your skin is in the best possible condition for your spray tan to achieve an even tone and to last as long as possible. Our overview will show you how sugaring acts as a natural exfoliant to give you super soft skin, as well as being the BEST option for gentle and long-lasting hair removal so that you can achieve a beautiful bronzed look and glow after your spray tan.

Sugaring is currently extremely popular as people are becoming more health conscious and aware of what they put on their skin. Being the cleanest and most effective form of all-natural hair removal, more and more people are glad to discover the Art of Sugaring!

Tell Me More about Sugaring Hair Removal!

Sugaring is one of the most effective and almost painless forms of hair removal for the whole body, and is excellent for all skin types and for both women and men. Sugaring is a completely natural method of hair removal using sugar paste which is a natural product containing only sugar, water and lemon.

Sugaring is hypoallergenic and antiseptic which makes it an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin and as it is not likely to cause an allergic reaction. Sugaring has been endorsed by Dermatologists as a safe and effective method of hair removal for all skin types and especially for those with sensitive skin or who are unable to tolerate other more traumatic hair removal treatments such as waxing, shaving, threading, chemical applications and other depilation and epilation techniques. Sugaring is the #1 choice of Dermatologists!

Sugar paste does not stick to the skin and only adheres to hair and dead skin cells so there is less trauma and minimal discomfort while gently removing hair from the root. Over time this will also lead to a degree of permanence so that you will remain hair free for longer.

Sugaring removes hair in the natural direction of growth, leaving NO broken hairs in the follicles and therefore NO ingrown hairs!!! This is an INCREDIBLE advantage over other methods of hair removal, especially waxing which can cause up to ONE THIRD of hairs to break causing major discomfort with ingrown hairs!

Sugaring meets all of the current natural beauty, cruelty-free, vegan and organic credentials for safe, gentle and effective hair removal. Sugaring is also excellent for exfoliation which improves skin texture and tone along with adding moisture to promote wonderfully soft, SMOOTH and refreshed skin.

We LOVE being kind to the environment with the full range of all-natural skincare products available from Sugaring Cane UK & Ireland!

We will now explain why Sugaring is such an ideal preparation to condition your skin for the BEST possible results from spray-tanning or self-tanning techniques.

What is Spray-tanning or Self-tanning?

Spray-tanning (or Airbrush tanning) is a form of sunless tanning where a fine mist is sprayed onto the body so that your skin will look bronzed and glow – as though you have just been to an exotic holiday destination! This effect can also be achieved, although perhaps less effectively, through self-tanning products at home. We will discuss further precautions, hints and tips to ensure an optimum tan can be achieved.

The main ingredient in spray-tanning is called Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is actually derived from sugar which gives it that sweet smelling aroma! When DHA meets the skin it causes a natural reaction producing what are known as melanoids, and these give a darker shade to the skin.

Overall, DHA has been ruled to be safe for the skin by global Health Authorities and Regulators and does not cause cancer, unlike the harmful UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. (Maximum DHA of 10% recommended for tanning according to the EU Cosmetics Product Regulations, SCCS, March 2020).

How long does it take for DHA to work? And how long do tanning results last?

If you wonder why you cannot take a shower for at least 2 hours after self tanning, it is because DHA takes around 2–4 hours to take effect. It can take up to 72 hours for the colour to fully develop and that is why it is often best to plan a tan well in advance of any important social events!

Spray-tanning can be done all year round and there is no particular time to get a tan. Depending on how well you follow the preparation routines and aftercare advice, a spray-tan can last from 5-14 days.

Can DHA make your skin go orange?

Yes, DHA can make your skin appear orange – but wait – there is a reason for this! Unnatural orange shades can occur as a result of DHA oversaturation, which is a simple way to say that you have applied too much DHA on your skin, you have NOT exfoliated, and you have left it on for too long!

When choosing a self-tanning shade it is crucial to choose the right shade for your skin tone. Darker formulations when applied to pale skin can easily cause the dreaded orange look – it is always best to be cautious and don’t try to go too dark with self-tanning products.

Is Spray-tanning suitable for darker skin tones?

Of course! Even though the outcome of a spray tan on dark skin is not as noticeable as on lighter skin tones, tanning instantly radiates your skin and evens your skin tone.

A spray tan is not meant to make you darker, but instead it gives your skin tone a radiant glow while maintaining your natural complexion. With the correct shade, a spray tan will minimise skin imperfections and help you achieve a perfect skin tone and tan without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays.

Why is Sugaring the best skin preparation for spray-tanning or self-tanning?

CAUTION!! The spray-tanning compound DHA is incredibly effective at sticking to dry skin. It is therefore essential to remove dead skin cells to prevent a patchy or orange-tinted tan. It is also really important to remove all traces of old tan before re-applying a new one, as layering a new tan on top of any old tan residue is definitely NOT a good look.

Sugaring is an excellent way to exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. Sugaring will improve your skin texture and tone as well as adding moisture so you will have wonderfully soft, SMOOTH and hair free skin. This will prepare your skin perfectly before tanning and will help a spray-tan last longer. This should always be part of your routine and will help you make the transition from spring-to-summer / and summer-to-autumn while giving you a bronzed glow with a natural healthy look to match the seasons.

In addition, the beautifully scented Sugar Scrubs available from Sugaring Cane UK & Ireland should be used as an essential part of your pre-tanning routine. Sugar is an excellent exfoliant and will assist in preparing your skin and remove old tan residues. Exfoliating with sugar is perfect for unclogging pores and removing toxins, promoting healthy skin, balancing the skin’s oil production, and reducing any ingrown hairs as well as minimising razor bumps to create a radiant look and feel for your skin.

For any self-tanning or spray-tanning we follow these key words of wisdom:

It is essential to “Exfoliate thoroughly to create the perfect skin canvas.”
Exfoliation & Sugaring = Keys to the Perfect Tan.

Our final words of advice:

It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours between your sugaring appointment and spray-tanning and preferably 48 hours. Attempting spray-tanning sooner can result in orange dots in the newly hair free pores

Sugaring hair removal is highly recommended prior to spray-tanning, as any shaving afterwards will remove the tan and it will not last long at all!

While well-tolerated by most people, DHA and other tanning ingredients can potentially cause irritation in individuals with ultra-sensitive skin. Therefore, a patch test is always recommended.

It is not recommended to use UV sunbeds or have direct skin exposure to the sun for 48 hours after sugaring.

Many beauticians who specialise in tanning do NOT recommend waxing as part of the important preparation routine. Waxing - even 24 hours before tanning – can still leave some wax residue on the skin making it difficult for the spray tan to hold. Waxing also needs more time for the skin to calm down and for the redness to reduce. This can cause a reaction or spoil your tan.

Article Reference:
Sugaring – Modern Revival of an Ancient Egyptian Technique for Hair Removal.
JAMA Dermatology June 2016 Volume 152, Number 6
Share: