How the Skin Tans
Step 1
Skin is exposed to UV (ultra violet) light
Step 2
Melanocytes then produce Melanin in the epithelium cells
Step 3
The Melanin cells move towards the surface of the skin
Step 4
UV light oxidises the melanin, developing a tan
Skin Types
Determining a client’s skin type is essential in ensuring that you provide your customer with the correct advice on tanning. Our natural skin colour is influenced by the pigments within the skin and the presence and amount of melanin. Individual skin tones can be divided into six main categories:
Skin Type 1
People with very fair/sensitive skin and often with red/strawberry blond hair and freckles, pale blue, pale grey or pale green eyes. People who hardly or never tan.
Translation missing: en.basics.general.recommendations
These customers should NOT tan on a sunbed or outdoors. We would recommend that they review a Sunless offering.
Skin Type 2
People with fairish skin who usually burn and sometimes tan. Tend to have light hair, blue or brown eyes.
Translation missing: en.basics.general.recommendations
The EU Scientific Committee on Customer Products states that people with skin types 1 and 2 should NOT proceed with UV tanning.
Skin Type 3
People with brownish/white skin who tan fairly easily but can burn if overexposed. Even though they tan easily, they should understand that they can still burn, especially without a base tan.
Translation missing: en.basics.general.recommendations
Although these customers tan easily they should respect the fact that they still burn.
Skin Type 4
People with dark skin who tan easily and hardly ever burn, but even so need to be careful that they don’t go through prolonged over exposure.
Translation missing: en.basics.general.recommendations
These customers tan easily but should never have more than the full recommended session time.
Skin Type 5 & 6
There are skin types 5 and 6, 5 being naturally brown skin and 6 being naturally brown/black skin. Generally customers wishing to use sunbeds will fall into skin types 3 and 4.
Types of Lotion
Accelerators
Moisturisation is essential in the tanning process. Accelerators are specifically formulated to condition the skin whilst replenishing essential Vitamins. In addition to providing moisture, accelerator lotions carry ingredients that trigger the melanocyte cells to produce more melanin. This in turn is what helps you tan quicker. When you see this symbol, it confirms that these products have no tingle or bronzer properties.
Tingle
Enables you to feel and see your tan working immediately. Ingredients help stimulate rapid circulation on the surface of the skin, creating an extreme redness and warming/tingling sensation to enhance the intensity and appearence of a tan.
Tingle factors vary from range to range, giving you a moderate to extreme tingle. The effect is temporary and can last up to several hours.
Warning: We recommend testing a small area of the skin before using a tingle product. Tingle products should not be used by beginner tanners or those with sensitive skin. Never use a tingle product outdoors.
Cooling Lotion
Helps you achieve your desired tanning results while helping your skin feel cool.
Bronzers
A bronzer is a product with natural ingredients or DHA that provide colour to the skin. Lotions containing bronzers will enable people to achieve greater results from their tanning experience, sometimes more quickly. There are three main types of bronzer.
DHA Bronzers
A DHA (dihydroxyacetone) bronzer does not require any UV light stimulation to produce a tan. These bronzers work by reacting to certain proteins on the surface layers of your skin. DHA takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to fully develop and should always be applied in circular motions. Always wash hands after use when using a product that contains DHA bronzers.
Cosmetic Instant Bronzers
As the name suggests, these bronzers provide immediate colour but will wash away after showering or when you come into contact with water. When using a lotion that contains these bronzers, you will see an initial colour so have the added benefit of a bronzed tan instantly.
Natural Bronzers
A natural bronzer enhances the skin's natural tanning potential by utilizing agents that occur naturally, and some of these ingredients include Henna, Walnut Oil, Kola Nut, Caramel and Carrot Oil.
Key Ingredients
UV lotions contain an abundance of rich, moisturising ingredients that nourish the skin during the tanning process. Here are some of the most popular and the benefits they provide:
Acai Berry
A popular antioxidant which can help restore the skin’s resiliency and elasticity
Aloe Vera
A healing and soothing extract for exceptional skin hydration
Cocoa Butter
Contains natural antioxidants and has a velvety texture; the emollient properties make it ideal for superb silky skin
Monoi de Tahiti Oil
A natural concentrated emollient, it works to penetrate and rehydrate the skin whilst shielding from external damage
Coconut Oil
A great moisturiser that aids
dry skin
Hemp Seed Oil
Widely used in skincare products, this natural moisture does not clog pores and is a great antioxidant which has anti-inflammatory properties and can also work to even the skin tone
Carrot Seed Oil
Because Carrot Seed Oil is high in antioxidants, it's great for anti-aging and helping to protect your skin from environmental stressors
Green Tea
Green Tea Extract is a strong antioxidant that protects the skin from the damaging effect of free radicals therefore influencing the tone and health of the skin
Peppermint Leaf Extract
Peppermint Oil is used to relieve skin irritation and redness where inflammation is present. Peppermint is excellent for customers with troubled skin
Sea Kelp
Sea Kelp has superior oil free moisturising benefits that help soften the skin while supporting a radiant healthy glow
Grape Seed Extract
Helps prevent damage to
the skin
Kukui Butter
Easily absorbed, it contains fatty acids to restore and revitalise for healthy skin
Vitamin A
Improves tone, elasticity and smoothness
Vitamin C
Fights free-radical damage and assists in the creation of collagen for younger looking skin
Vitamin E
Promotes vibrant, healthy, younger looking skin
Vitamin F
Has 3 essential fatty acids that lock-in moisture
