Save Your Skin: Get a Spray Tan for Spring Break
Who doesn’t want to have that gorgeous bronze glow just in time for Spring Break? While you might feel more confident in a swimsuit when you have a radiant tan, it’s important that you protect yourself from skin cancer and early signs of aging. So instead of laying out in the sun or heading to the tanning bed, consider getting a safe spray tan for that ultimate sun-kissed look!
What to Know About Spray Tans
Benefits of a Spray Tan
When it comes to protecting yourself against skin cancer, avoiding harmful UV rays is key. This means that activities like laying out in direct sunlight in a swimsuit or tanning in a tanning bed or booth are big no-no’s. Multiple skin cancer types, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are caused by exposure to UVA and UVB rays. These UV rays can come from sunlight or artificial light sources.
A spray tan is the ideal way to get the glow you’re seeking without taking any risks. It will also help keep your skin looking younger longer since exposure to UV rays can rapidly age your skin and cause early signs of age like wrinkles and dark spots.
Getting a spray tan means you won’t have to worry about weird bathing suit lines either. Plus, unlike self-tanner, which is easily rendered streaky or patchy in the application process, a professional spray tan equals a more flawless finish. So if you’re going for that airbrushed, Instagram-worthy tan, a spray tan is your best bet.
Preparing for Your Spray Tan
It’s always best to exfoliate your skin before getting a spray tan so that dead skin cells are sloughed off, and the product goes on more smoothly. That said, don’t do this too close to your spray tan appointment since exfoliation can open the hair follicles and leave them prone to irritation. The same goes for hair removal. Be sure to shave, wax, or use exfoliating treatments like scrubs or gloves at least 24 hours before receiving your spray tan.
Don’t wear any lotions, moisturizers, or perfumes to your appointment, as this can cause streaking and uneven application of the tanning product. A professional can advise you on the type of spray tan to get. Some are done manually by an aesthetician with an airbrush-like tanning gun, while other spray tans involve standing in a shower-like stall while the product is applied automatically.
Some spray tans immediately go on bronze, so you walk out of your appointment with a healthy glow. Other types of spray tans go on clear and take the next 24 hours or so to “process,” gradually turning darker. The most important thing is that you do not allow the skin to get wet following a spray tan, so it’s a good idea to shower beforehand.
Contact Louisiana Dermatology Associates
If you’re in Baton Rouge or the surrounding areas and need more guidance on how to get a flawless spray tan or want to receive a skin cancer screening, contact Louisiana Dermatology Associates today. At your appointment, one of our board-certified specialists can look at any suspicious moles or spots and advise you on how to get the glow you’re seeking without sacrificing your skin!