Spray Tanning

The tan typically lasts 5 to 7 days (or up to 10 days when using Aviva Labs Tan-Extending skincare products). The faster your skin cells turn over and shed from your body, the faster the sunless tan fades. The tan created by the DHA affects only the top layer of the skin and will begin to fade after 4 to 5 days as the skin naturally begins to shed. To get the longest life from a spray tan, it is crucial to exfoliate prior to the spray tan application and to moisturize daily after the application.

Exfoliation prior to having a spray tan is vital, as it means you are removing all the loose dead skin cells so the DHA will adhere to your skin better and the tan will then also last longer. This also reduces the likelihood of a tan becoming patchy as it fades due to the fact you are starting with an even surface. Unfortunately, many exfoliants contain moisturizers or oils that act as a barrier and prevent the DHA from adhering to your skin. It is important that you use an exfoliant that has been specifically designed for use in the sunless tanning process.

Do not shower until 8 hours after the spray tan has been applied. If you need to shower prior to the minimum 8 hour requirement, ask your esthetician about using Aviva's Rapid Solutions. Aviva’s Express Tan allows our clients to shower after 4 hours for a light tan, 5 hours for a medium tan, or 6 hours for a dark tan. Because a DHA tan takes 8 hours to completely develop, it is important to shower only with water for the first shower after a spray tan. This may sound "yucky," but it will prevent the spray tan from being removed prematurely. We also advise our clients to avoid heavy exfoliation in the shower (scrubs, loofahs, excessive rubbing) in order to prolong the longevity of the tan. Use a washcloth or hands to lather and dispense soap over the body for daily showers, so as not to scrub off the tan. Finally, moisturize daily after a spray tan. Moisturizing the skin extends the tan up to 3 days because it slows down the skin's shedding process

We use the Fitzpatrick Scale (a skin type guide) to determine which Aviva Labs Spray Tan Solution is perfect for you and your skin type.

Skin Type I Extremely sensitive to sun. Often light-haired and fair-skinned with freckles. Usually sunburns easily. Not likely to tan. Recommended: Aviva Inspires 8% DHA Sunless Tanning Solutions or Winter Glow.

Skin Type II Very sensitive to sun. Often fair-skinned with blue or light-colored eyes. Usually sunburns easily. Able to achieve light tan. Recommended: Aviva Inspires 8% DHA or 10% DHA Sunless Tanning Solutions.

Skin Type III Sensitive to sun. Most Caucasians fit into this category. Sometimes sunburns. Achieves medium tan. Recommended: Aviva Inspires 10% DHA Sunless Tanning Solutions.

Skin Type IV Moderately sensitive to sun. Often of Mediterranean, Hispanic, or Asian descent. Sunburns a little. Usually tans well. Recommended: Aviva Inspires 10% DHA or 12% DHA Sunless Tanning Solutions.

Skin Type V Minimally sensitive to sun. Middle Eastern, Latino, Indian, or light-skinned African-American. Rarely sunburns and tans deeply. Recommended: Aviva Inspires 12% or 14% DHA Sunless Tanning Solution and/or +35% DHA Booster Drops.

Skin Type VI Not sensitive to sun. Dark-skinned and/or African-American. Almost never sunburns. Recommended: Aviva Inspires 12% or 14% DHA Sunless Tanning Solution and/or +35% DHA Booster Drops to smooth out and even skin tone and color.