SELF-TANNING Tips & Tricks

PHOTO: My Daughter Nicole & Me

I love to use a self tanner. It's like applying semi-permanent makeup on your body. It also helps to make my scars less noticeable. Tanning solutions have come a long way since the fake orange looking stains that were available years ago. 

I use Ocean Sunless Tanning Solution 12.5% DHA (for darker skintones). The consistency of this solution is like water because it is meant to be used with an Airbrushing Spray Tan System. My airbrush machine broke so I have been using the same solution and just rubbing it onto my skin like lotion. I have got this method perfected to a few quick and easy steps. This is much less messy than dealing with the over spray of a spray machine. 

You can use any Self Tanning product of your choice that works for your skin type. This is just what I personally use and the method of application that works best for me:

About OCEAN Sunless Tanning Solutions

A complete line of sunless tanning products tailored to help you achieve and maintain that healthy, rich and golden tan without the exposure to dangerous U.V. rays.

Ocean Sunless Tanning Solution gives your skin a rich golden tan while addressing the fundamentals for skin hydration and daily anti-aging issues.

• Ingredients such as CoQ10, Collagen, Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid help diminish wrinkles, bind moisture, strengthen and help repair environmentally damaged skin cells
• Aloe Vera based formula to aid in skin moisturization and preventing dried out skin
• The Organic DHA and other natural botanical additives will leave your skin with a deep rich golden bronze tan within hours and it will last longer than any competitors solution
• Applies evenly with no running, streaking or orange spotting
• Fast drying formula with no sticky after feel
• Fresh European Citrus Fragrance
• Paraben Free

Advantages of Ocean "DHA" Tanning Solutions:

• Formulated in 8.5% and 12.5% of 100% Pure Organic DHA to fit the varrying skin types
• The Organic DHA and other natural botanical additives will leave your skin with a deep rich golden bronze tan within hours and it will last longer than any competitors solution
• Has the optimum ratio of DHA and Erythrulose to produce a beautiful natural looking tan.
• Applies evenly with no running, streaking or orange spotting
• Fast drying formula with no sticky after feel
• Both the medium and dark bronzer guides provide immediate color to aid in even application
• Aloe Vera based formula to aid in skin moisturization and preventing dried out skin
• Provides an even, gentle and gradual natural fade
• Fresh european citrus fragrance
• Paraben free and alcohol free

Ingredients Include:

• 100% Pure Organic DHA (Dihydroxyacetone): The active ingredient that reacts with the skin to create the tan
• Erythrulose: A natural sugar that helps to prolong and produce a beautiful natural tan when the optimum ratio is mixed with the DHA
• Matrixyl 3000 (Peptides): Known as a anti-aging ingredient.
• Collagen: Is a type of protein found in the skin. Collagen works in tandem to keep the skin tight and elastic. Used as a anti-aging ingredient.
• Aloe Vera: Known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, and also aids in skin moisturization
• Hyaluronic Acid: Known for its level of moisturizing the skin
• Green Tea: Contains a high level antioxidant polyphenols, (a very potent antioxidant)
• CoQ10: Is a vitamin like substance in all human cells and responsible for cell production of the body’s energy.
• Ginkgo Bilobal: A potent antioxidant that helps promote blood flow.

Tubro Tan offers a full selection of Ocean Professional Salon "DHA" Tanning Solutions that will allow you to spray tan the full range of skin tone complexion types. (from fair to olive to deep bronze skin tones)

• 8.5% DHA Tanning Solution with Medium (Natural) Bronzer Color Guide is our most popular tanning solution. It works best with fair to medium complexion skin tone types (light skin, skin that sunburns, mild to medium tone skin, etc...) and provides a rich natural looking bronze tan.
• 8.5% DHA Tanning Solution with Dark Bronzer Color Guide. Works the same as our 8.5% DHA Solution with Medium (Natural) Bronzer Color Guide, but provides a darker bronze color guide. Beginners love it, as they can easily see if the solution was applied evenly and if any spots were missed.
• 8.5% Clear DHA Tanning Solution (No Color Guide). Works the same as our 8.5% DHA Solution with Medium or Dark Bronzer Color Guide, but does not provide any color guide. Commonly used by those with spray tanning experience, as there is no room for error because of the lack of a color guide will prevent you from seeing if the solution was applied evenly and if any spots were missed. Clear solution prevents clothing from getting stained.
• 12.5% DHA Tanning Solution with Medium (Natural) Bronzer Color Guide. Works best with medium to dark complexion skin tone types (olive, caribbean, latin, mediterranean, etc...) and provides a rich natural looking golden bronze tan.
• 12.5% DHA Tanning Solution with Dark Bronzer Color Guide. This very popular solution works the same as our 12.5% DHA Solution with Medium (Natural) Bronzer Color Guide, but provides a darker bronze color guide. The Dark Bronzer Guide makes it much easier see if the solution was applied evenly and if any spots were missed on darker complextion skin tones.

DHA (Dihydroxyacetone): The active ingredient that reacts with the skin to create the tan. The 8.5% and 12.5% DHA in our Ocean Tanning Solutions react with the skin to create natural looking bronze tans for every level of skin tone complexion types. 
Source 

SHOPPING: Ocean Tanning Solution (12.5% DHA for Darker Skintones) - (8.5% DHA is for Lighter Skintones)

BEFORE YOU START: The best time to self-tan is before you go to bed. You can't get your body wet for the next 6-8 hours so get the dishes done first, don't go out in the rain, don't get excessively sweaty. Get everything ready before you shower. You want your skin to be freshly washed not dried out.

Step 1: SHAVE 

First shave and get rid of any hair on your body in the areas you will be tanning. 

EXFOLIATE

Shower and exfoliate your skin with a loofah. Dry your skin well. If you washed your hair, dry it now so that it doesn't drip onto your tan. Otherwise just tie it up out of the way.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
*Snug Fitting Rubber Gloves
*Sponge if applying liquid tanner
To apply my liquid self-tanning solution I use the little sponge that came with my Bare Escentuals Rareminerals Night Treatment. If you don't have anything similar you can purchase one here:
SHOPPING: Tanning Application Sponge

 

*An Old Face Cloth
* Full Length Mirror 
Yes this is a tough one! If you are going to do a full body application you have to look at yourself naked in the mirror. You can do it. Love what you got!!!

Put your gloves on and saturate the sponge with tanning solution. I cannot tan my face because it triggers my melasma. I use bronzer every day to darken my face so it matches my body. 

If you are tanning your face I would start there. Apply enough solution to rub in until fully blended, you can always add more so don't over do it. Slightly dampen a corner of an old face cloth to dab eyes, mouth or anywhere that you don't want to darken. You can alternate with the dry to damp face cloth as needed. Just take your time until you get used to it.

 Next move to your neck, shoulders, upper back, and arms. Do one side at a time first applying with the sponge then completely rubbing in the solution exactly like lotion. Do your right shoulder, then left shoulder - right upper arm, left upper arm, etc. If you can't reach your back you will have to get a friend to help you. I just do the best I can reaching my hand behind my back.

Take your time and keep looking in the mirror to make sure that the color looks even. Continue using your face cloth, damp and dry to even out any streaks or dark spots.

 Once you are completely done and the color looks even, you can wash your sponge with your gloves still on. Be extra careful not to splash water on yourself or it will ruin your tan. Dry your gloves off and carefully remove them.

You can now use a folded up paper towel with tanning solution to blend in more color to your hands. The Ocean Tanning Solution 
that I use dries right away. You can now put on comfy clothes, relax and sleep for the night.

The longer the solution stays on your skin, the longer the color will last. The next day your tan will be completely developed and you can shower as normal. You will see the tanning solution coming off of your skin in the shower. You are not washing off your tan as long as you have waited 6-8+ hours.

The key to making your tan last as long as possible is to MOISTURIZE at least once per day! Use lotion, baby oil, coconut oil, anything to keep your skin hydrated. Your tan should last about one week and fade just like a regular tan from the sun.

A few tricks for fading dark areas that you might notice the next day:

You can make your own TAN REMOVER with Lemon & Raw Sugar. Apply to wet skin and massage GENTLY. Leave on for a few minutes then rinse. Don't scrub or you could irritate your skin.

Tan Remover: works within 4 hours after tan solution is applied.

If you wait too long you will not be able to completely remove the dark areas. It is best to take your time when applying the tanning solution and blend with your face cloth. Pay attention to hands, wrists, ankles, knees &  elbows. If an area seems too dark you can even our your skin with concealer or makeup foundation to lighten the area until it fades.