What is Erythrulose? It's in Our Tanning Solution.

What is Erythrulose? Erythrulose is a carbohydrate, which is used in combination with dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in many self-tanning products because of its natural ability to dye the skin. It is a pale-yellow liquid extracted from red berries. This sugar reacts with the amino acids of the keratin found in the dead skin cells of the upper layer. The reaction, which is completely nontoxic, creates a temporary browning effect on these skin cells. The color change resembles the same colour a UV-based suntan produces. As the skin sheds naturally in a week or so, the tan begins to wear off. This makes the tan created by erythrulose temporary and completely safe. If properly applied and the skin is kept nourished, the tan can remain for at least 14 days. The tan does not wash away or even sweat off once the complete tone has been developed. The fading begins gradually as the skin’s normal exfoliation process takes place. The only way the tan will lighten sooner is by intense exfoliation or scrubbing of the skin, prolonged baths or swimming, as well as heavy sweating after a vigorous exercise. 

     Erythrulose has a composition similar to that of DHA, and the two sugars react on the skin’s surface in a very similar way. However, erythrulose creates a lighter colored tan in a slower time when compared to the tan produced by DHA. The tan created by erythrulose takes up to 24 hours to fully develop while DHA takes 2 to 8 hours to develop. When it is used alone, the tan it creates fades faster than one created by DHA. When DHA is used alone, it is likely to produce an orange and streaky tan. But erythrulose has a less drying effect over the skin than DHA does and it provides a smoother fade. But when these two ingredients are combined, it results in a tan that lasts longer, fades evenly, and produces a deep and natural-looking tan. Erythrulose is very expensive because it is difficult to obtain. Erythrulose has no side effects and due to its similarity in composition with DHA, it is unlikely for anyone to be sensitive to these two sugars. It reacts only with the skin cells of the upper layer and it does not penetrate below this layer. It is incorporated in sunless tanning products – like spray tans, tanning lotions, tanning gels, bronzers, and tanning mousses – at only 1% to 3%. 

 

How To Get A Great Custom Airbrush Spray Tan

We have all seen a bad spray tan, the Oompa Loompa orange color, the unnatural glow, the streaky, dirty looking tan. If you are looking for a flawless spray tan, do some homework. Seeing pictures of a company's clients with their custom airbrush spray tan proves that the company you are doing homework on knows what they are doing. Seeing their website is also proof but make sure that their website is informative. Many spray tan companies out there are very vague and non-informative.

Scrub A-Dub-Dub

Exfoliation is imperative to achieving a flawless spray tan. Exfoliate your skin with a non-oily scrub (I like Paradise Pre Sunless Natural Exfoliating Scrub) and exfoliating mitts. Pay close attention to your hands, feet, knees, and elbows. These areas of thicker skin tend to absorb more self tanner, you want them as smooth as possible in preparation for your spray tan. Exfoliate the skin on your face and neck with a washcloth and a non-oily facial exfoliant, you can’t go wrong with baking soda.

Shave

Be sure and shave or wax 24 hours before your spray tanning appointment. You don't want to shave minutes before your tanning session because your pores will be open and cause tiny dark dots. Shaving after your spray tan is an exfoliation in and of itself, be sure and do it prior to your appointment to ensure the smoothest skin possible. When you do need to shave, use hair conditioner to shave and press lightly with the razor, less tan will come off. Shaving cream and gels contain alcohol and will dry your skin and cause streaks.

Moisturize 2x A Day

*****For Those Of You Who Have Super Duper Dry Skin*********
Upon your shower and exfoliation session, only moisturize very minimal those certain areas of your body that get super dry.

*****And If You Don't Have Super Duper Dry Skin...*********
There is no need to moisturize before your tanning session. The tanning solution will absorb just nicely (and more evenly) on clean, bare skin. Go au-natural. Don’t wear deodorant or makeup to your spray tanning appointment. Both will affect your tan and deodorant will turn your armpits (temporarily) green. Your tanning technician will apply a light layer of barrier cream to the sides and soles of your feet, and on top of hands to prevent them from absorbing too much the airbrush spray tanning solution.

FYI.....over the counter Retinol products will fade a tan quickly. These exfoliating products can affect how the DHA is absorbed by your skin, which can lead to an uneven, splotchy tan. Coat any recent cuts or scrapes with Un-petroleum Jelly to prevent them from soaking up too much self tanner. If you are sun-burnt, don’t schedule a spray tan. Sunburned skin tends to be sweaty skin, you don’t want to perspire and cause your tan to run and streak.

Yes right after your spray tanning session....you may look really dark (by the bronzers) as the color develops. Don't worry, when you rinse off, all the bronzers will wash off and you'll have a very nice even tan. With our tanning solution, you can literally wear it through out your day.

*****Dress For The Occasion*********
Now is not the time for your jeans, white clothing, expensive lingerie, or tight clothes. Wear dark, loose fitting clothes to your appointment. At the time of your appointment, you can go as bare as you dare for avoiding tan lines, or you can opt for having your bottoms or disposable, paper thong if one is provided for you. Dress-or undress- to your comfort level. Pull up your hair in a ponytail and use the disposable shower cap that is provided for you.

*****Color Me Tan*********
My advice on getting a spray tan is if your spray tan technician truly knows what they are doing then they will inform you on what the perfect shade for you is. We personally are not a fan of the 10 minute spray tan. Why? Possible missed areas on your skin will not be tanned. We like to be detailed therefore we take a little more time (more like 20 mins)to tan you to ensure that you have an even flawless tan. More tanning solution or coats doesn’t mean a deeper tan, it means your tan is more likely to streak and dry out your skin. Everyone’s skin absorbs tanning solution and DHA (the main component in the tanning solution) differently so bear that in mind. FYI: Many companies carry only one shade, therefore if you want to go darker, they spray you with more coats.

Follow instructions. A good spray tanning technician will be prepared and walk you through your tan every step of the way-whether it’s your first spray tan or your fiftieth. They want your airbrush tan to be as flawless as you do. To avoid tanning the soles of your feet, you will stand on the towel in the tent at all times. Upon leaving the tent, your technician will clean up any un-necessary, lingering tanning solution on your wrists, back of heel, etc . Use baby wipes to clean off your nails as staining here is a dead giveaway of a sunless tan.

Skip the bra and socks for the next six hours. No exercise, going out in the rain, or doing dishes (duh). Your skin cannot get wet as the airbrush spray tanning solution develops. Every airbrush spray tanning solution is different your spray tanning technician will tell you when it’s safe to shower.

*****Stay Tanned*********
Moisturize with lotions that contain no mineral oil to preserve the life of your tan, 2x a day from head to toe immediately upon bathing to trap in moisture and hydration and one other time. The more hydrated the skin the better and longer the tan lasts. Use common sense. Avoid: grainy scrubs, AHA and other chemical exfoliant products, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acids, shower loofahs as these will all fade or remove your tan completely. Instead, use a soft washcloth, shower sponge and creamy body wash in the bath or shower. You can shave but try to do it as minimal as possible as it is a physical exfoliation. Chlorinated water will fade your tan, so keep that in mind. You can use tanning extenders for your face and body to extend the life of your tan and give you a few more days. Our spray tans typically last 7 to 14 days, but keep in mind that all sunless tanning formulas are different.

The Price For A Custom Airbrush Spray Tan! Is A High Price Going To Give You A Good Spray Tan?

Some people think "If the price for a custom airbrush spray tan is $50 or $100 then the tan must be a good quality tan." NOT! We had clients (now repeat clients) call us to fix their $50, $65, $80 custom spray tan. We also get new clients who said they paid $100 for a custom airbrush spray tan from high end salons where the tan only lasted 4 days. FACT!!!!!! Over paying for a custom airbrush spray tan does not mean you are getting a great tan. Price gauging is our pet peeve and our hearts go out to those who paid a high amount for a tan that went wrong or only lasted for a few days. The truth behind a good spray tan is an experienced spray tan technician with the right technique (practicing on a few clients does not make you experienced, it means that you are simply getting your feet wet in the spray tan world), a good premium sunless tanning solution, and good customer service. A certified professional spray tan technician is very important because they are highly trained and know the ins and outs in the spray tanning world. Believe it or not, many spray tanning companies are not even certified or trained properly which is why a few years ago, we decided to train and certified people who want to learn the RIGHT WAY to spray tan. We hear different things from our now repeat clients about how the other company they use to go to would informed them on how to prepare or take care of a spray tan whereas the client was not properly informed. With our extensive training and knowledge, we always inform our clients with the truth. Spray tanning technique is important as well, you want to make sure every part of the body is tan. We sometimes see people walking by with a spray tan on (not by us) and the inner part of their arms and thighs are white. Sunless tanning solution, yes Premium is the way to go. We are not going to say pick a company that uses 100% organic or vegan tanning solution because there is no such thing. (We've done extensive research on this and even talked to the chemist on this one) A tanning solution can be made of mostly organic or vegan but not 100%, 1 or 2 ingredients will be a chemical. In our solution, only fragrance is the chemical. A good DHA in a sunless tanning solution is important as well because it gives you the shade of tan you need. Example: a 8% DHA of Non-Premium vs. 8% Eco-Cert DHA of Premium sunless tanning solution. You have a better chance of getting a not so good tan with the Non-Premium sunless tanning solution. The DHA in our solution is Eco-Cert which means its 100% organic and it is made more refine which means you are getting a true shade spray tan. Our spray tans are $25 for first time clients and $35 for repeat clients....we keep it affordable for those who like to tan and the clientele keeps coming back and continuing to grow. Our tips make up for gas in our cars. Our spray tanning prices speak for themselves with the many repeat and new clients we get. Us being voted as #1 in Orange County & Los Angeles County says wonders.

We Know Tans Don't Last Forever....But You Can Extend It & Here's How.

The results of our custom spray tans last anywhere from 7 to 14 days. During this period, it is important that we keep our skin moist to slow down the process of our skin exfoliating. Avoid using harsh soaps (bar soaps, exfoliating body washes or washes that have a high pH level) for these can shorten the life and affect the outcome of your tan and also dry out your skin. To extend the life of your tan, it is best to do a custom spray tan touch up or use a tanning extender when your tan starts to fade. Our 'Love My Tan' tanning extender lotion has our very own DHA in it and will extend your tan for another 2 weeks. We also have 'Touch n Go' spray tan in a can which is great for touch ups. We have a 2.75 oz for $14 and out 8.75 oz for $30. 'Touch n Go' does not only give you a fresh new tan, but can help rejuvenate the life of your old tan by also reacting with the amino acids on your skin. It's the same solution we use in our spray gun when we give you a custom spray tan by hand. There are many spray tan cans out there but many spray leaving spots and splotches. Ours sprays like a ultra fine mist giving you a nice even tan. Our small can is great for face, arms, and legs and our big can can easily give you 2 full body tans. The tan will start to develop is as little as two hours and you will see full results in 8 hours. Your tan will last for 7 -14 days with proper care.

How To Avoid Your Tan From Fading Blotchy

“Why is my sunless tan fading Blotchy?” It’s a question we have all heard more than once in our careers as sunless technicians. Before answering this question it is important to understand how the browning affect with solution takes place. The active ingredient in sunless solutions (DHA also known as Dihydroxyacetone) works with the amino acids on the skin and air to create the brown appearance.

Example: If you take a bite out of an apple and leave it for a while the acids in the apple combine with air to create a natural reaction resulting in a browning affect. This reaction is similar to what takes place with the DHA, air and the amino acids on your client’s skin. The solution absorbs into the skin cells and the air activates the solution creating the appearance of a tan.

Proper skin preparation is very important. Removing loose, dead, dry skin cells will prevent an un-even application of sunless solution and will improve and extend your tanning results.

Skin preparation and application technique will determine the end result. There are a few scenarios a technician can explore if their client has a sunless tan fading:

1.)  The client did not properly prepare for their airbrush tan. The purpose of exfoliating prior to a sunless session is to remove the loose dead skin cells that naturally shed from the body every four weeks. That means twenty-five percent of our skin is exfoliated away every seven days. Once these skin cells slough away, your sunless tan gradually fades. Remove as many dead skin cells as you can prior to receiving your airbrush tan treatment. If solution is applied over any loose cells, the sunless tan will shed off pre-maturely in those areas leaving a patchy result.

How to properly exfoliate: Keep it simple. We recommend using a regular washcloth, loofa, or exfoliating mitt and body wash to exfoliate the skin. The fibers found in most washcloths are perfect to loosen and gently remove tired, dry skin. We recommend our natural exfoliating sugar scrub. Make sure to rinse off thoroughly be any residue may prevent the tanning solution from penetrating. Scrubbing hard can damage healthy skin.

2.)  The client did not properly hydrate their sunless tan. A lack of moisture in the skin due to skin conditions or dry air (generally found in the winter months) can cause uneven shedding of the skin. To minimize this natural occurrence, moisturize the skin with a non-mineral oil and petroleum oil based lotion.

3.)  The technician applied too much solution. The over application of a sunless solution is often the culprit for uneven fading or blotchiness. The solution needs air to react with the skin. By over spraying the client, the air cannot penetrate through the solution to react with the skin. The solution must be applied in light, even strokes.

4.)  The technician applied solution over an existing sunless tan. Other than piggyback applications to add depth to your color, you should never apply sunless solution over an existing sunless tan. The skin must be clean and free from previous sunless residue. Leftover airbrush tans from previous sessions will have noticeably darker patches, resulting in uneven fading.

5.)  The technician used too deep a color. Skin cells shed at different times. If the color is too dark for the clients natural skin tone the fading will be more prominent. The fading will appear patchy/blotchy. Always assess your clients skin tone and use the proper color. If a client insists on the darkest possible color, you should set realistic expectations on how their tan will fade.

Some other notable reasons for patchy/blotchy fading can be; the use of deodorant, makeup, perfume, lotions and powders prior to or a sunless application will prevent the solution from absorbing evenly. Exfoliating, sweating, rubbing or excessive exposure to liquids (i.e. swimming, sweat from exercising, etc.) may also result in patchy/blotchy fading.

Like everything else, moderation is the key. Often our desire for perfection leads us down a path of excess. In this instance, excessive sunless application will create the opposite of perfection. Skin is always shedding. This process is random. If the skin is over treated with solution or has been reapplied too frequently, the shedding becomes more obvious. After your sunless tan has faded completely, let your skin breathe for at least a week before tanning again.

4 Facts On The Dangers Of Tanning Beds

1. It's Big Business
Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. tan in tanning salons every year; on average, that's more than 1 million people a day who are baking themselves under tanning lamps. More than 70% of them are Caucasian females aged 16 to 49 years. The indoor tanning industry's revenues have increased fivefold since 1992, to about $5 billion.

2. Our Youth Are At Risk
2.3 million teens visit tanning salons in the U.S. every year. According to a Swedish study, the younger you are when you start indoor tanning, the greater your risk of melanoma. A review of seven studies revealed that your risk of melanoma increases by 75 percent if you're exposed to tanning beds before the age of 35. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for teens to be banned from indoor tanning due to the dangers, only half of the states in the U.S. regulate tanning bed use by teens.

3. It's a Proven Danger
Many studies show that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is a definite risk factor for melanoma. Using a tanning bed more than 10 times a year made people seven times more likely to develop malignant melanoma than those who did not use tanning beds as often. The risk of melanoma was increased by 300% for those using tanning beds occasionally and by 800% for those using tanning beds more than 10 times a year. The FDA estimates that about 38,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma this year in the U.S. and 7,300 people will die from this condition. The United States Department of Health & Human Services names UV radiation from the sun, and from artificial sources such as tanning beds and sun lamps, as a proven carcinogen - a cancer causing substance.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advise people to avoid tanning and the use of sun lamps. Both the American Medical Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) are fighting to ban the non-medical use of tanning equipment. The CDC report that tanning beds also cause serious eye problems including conjunctivitis, corneal infections and retinal damage.

4. There's no such thing as a "safe tan"
Sunlight contains different wavelengths of UV light. UVA rays penetrate deeper into your skin and cause tanning. UVB rays damage the more superficial skin layers and cause sunburn. Many tanning salons claim that indoor tanning is safe because you are exposed to more tanning UVA rays than burning UVB rays. Medical research disproves this claim. Skin cancer is certainly associated with sunburn from UVB rays, but scientists at the FDA and other respected institutions now have evidence that even moderate tanning due to UVA rays produces the same long-term skin damage as a sunburn, increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging, and damaging your immune system. UVA rays penetrate deep into your skin, causing significant destruction and loss of skin elasticity. UVA exposure is associated with an increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.

All Spray Tan Systems Are Not Equal

No they are not and here’s why. As we started Paradise Airbrush Tanning, we tested out many systems in order to find the perfect one that will deliver an even spray tan application.

A small disclaimer: We have been in the industry for 6 years and are always working to make sure everything we produce is the most efficient, durable and profitable systems and products available. Although that is just our opinion, it really is based on facts. We could use any type of system out there, but we only use our two specific ones because they are simply the best for spray tanning. So here is my factual review on the ones we tested.

Airbrush Systems:












Why systems like this one won't cut it:

• A complete tan takes about 45 minutes using an airbrush gun (pin point).
• The mist is good but very small, making it easier to make mistakes.
• Compressor is not designed to handle back to back tans.
• Finger will get tired from pulling back the trigger.
• Thorough regular cleaning of parts required.
• We will say this, this system is great for body contouring and evening out tan lines.


Why these systems below don't cut it: (We have also tested a few others)








• LOUD! Difficult to talk to the client during the tanning session. You need to be educating them about the tanning process, on caring for their tan, and selling them on retail products & tanning packages. Also these systems are not good for environments that require quietness.

• Too wide of a mist. This creates 2 problems. Wasted solution due to no air regulator and is a not-as-customizable tan. While companies boast a 4 minute tan, you don't want to do a 4 minute tan! You wouldn’t be able to even out tan lines or do body contouring with systems like this because the mist is too large even if there is a knob on the gun to turn the mist down. Many compare it to that of a spray booth tan. Because the mist is wider than most parts of the body, solution is wasted due to powerful air pressure that can not be turned down. Systems like these leave your body wet and sticky and when your tan is left wet or sticky on your body, this can cause streaking.

• Heavy/bulky systems. Not easily portable, especially going up stairs. Yes, they may have rollers but when it comes to climbing stairs it’s not easy.

Why our systems are the best:

• Fine mist. Our Iwata is wide enough to do an even 20 minute tan but is still small enough to do body contouring, evening out tan lines, and give a very customized tan. Minimal overspray. The fine mist allows for the most natural looking tan.

• Very quiet and can regulate air flow. Uses 2-3 oz of solution for one person.

• Lightweight and easy to transport. Compressor is 8 pounds with carrying handle.

• Very little maintenance. Run hot water or Windex through spray gun at the end of every day.

• Designed for high volume tanning. Can do tan after tan after tan without stopping. This is true because we've done 15 tans in a row for an event. Also you can use this system to do airbrush arts which we have 20 years of experience in.

• Our other system is our Mercedes Benz of our Iwata. This system delivers a Ultra fine mist and sprays very evenly giving you a perfect tan.

• Uses 2-3 oz of solution for one person.

• Can regulate the air flow and spray mist. System is built with an excel dryer and is heat infused.

• Very little maintenance. Run hot water through spray gun at the end of every day.

• Can even out tan lines and do contouring.

• Minimal to no overspray.

• Small system, weighs about 6 lbs.

And ofcourse with the best system, you need the best solution. Our solution 'Paradise Bronze' dries quickly, does not leave you feeling wet or sticky, and delivers a great color.