SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT ME:
Wendy Loupos introduced spray tanning to Australia when she founded Fantasy Tan Australia in 1999. More than a decade later, the business has a new name, SALON HQ, and Wendy’s all-Australian spray tanning brand SOL is heralded as ‘the best fake tan ever!’ by Harper’s Bazaar.

One of the many reasons for the brand’s success lies in the relationship between Wendy and her team of biochemists who have been creating skin care products for more than 30 years and truly understand the science behind spray tanning. Their knowledge and expertise are reflected in the blend of ingredients that make SOL Australia’s most skin-friendly spray tans.

Affectionately known as ‘the tanning guru’ amongst Beauty Editors, Wendy has agreed to join the Tan Culture team as an advisor, to answer  any questions visitors to the site may have about spray tanning.
 “There’s a great deal of misinformation regarding spray tanning products and the reason for this is quite simple; Every tanning company markets their products as ‘the best’ and in their endeavour to gain market share they inevitably hype up their range – it’s all part of the marketing game. When it comes to the media, Beauty Editors essentially rely on the information they receive in the form of Press Releases...more hype. So how do we get the facts without all the fluff? Well that’s where I come in.

My aim is to try to educate both consumers and spray tanning technicians alike and present an unbiased opinion so visitors to this site can make educated choices about spray tanning. Having worked in this industry for 12 years I have made it my mission to understand the science behind spray tanning and as a mum of two spray tan-loving daughters, I am passionate about educating consumers. Like any savvy businesswoman I am familiar with most of the spray tanning products on offer and have trialled them all. I’m not here to play off one product against another; I’m here to help you make educated decisions when it comes to choosing the perfect spray tan for you. I’m excited to be part of the Tan Culture world and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with you all.”
Wendy Loupos, Director Salon HQ


HOW DOES SUNLESS TANNING WORK?
Skin is made up of two main layers: the epidermis on the outside and the dermis on the inside. Whether you are talking about sun tanning or self-tanning, the epidermis is where the tanning effect takes place.
 
 According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective products available are sunless or self-tanning lotions that contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. DHA is a colourless sugar that interacts with the dead cells located in the stratum corneum of the epidermis. As the sugar interacts with the dead skin cells, a colour change occurs, much like an apple that has been bitten into then left for a couple of hours. This change usually lasts about five to seven days from the initial application.

 Every day, millions of dead skin cells are sloughed off or worn away from the surface of your skin. This is why tans from sunless or self-tanning lotions will gradually fade - as the dead cells are worn away, so is your tan. For this reason, most of these products suggest that you reapply the sunless- or self-tanner about every three to five days to maintain your 'tan.'
It's important to remember that most sunless tanning products, unless they contain an added sunscreen, will not protect you from the sun's UVA and UVB rays. Even products that do contain a sunscreen won't be of much help, since they lose their efficacy within hours of application. So, if you're planning to head outside to show off your new glow,
 be sure to apply some extra sunscreen.
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND SPRAY TANNING MYTHS


Q: I’ve heard spray tans are either red or green based? What does this mean?

 A: This is one of the latest (and certainly most bizarre) spray tanning myths.  The fact is, DHA (or Dihydroxyacetone) the tanning agent in all fake tans, is colourless. The only colourants found in spray tanning formulations are those blended to produce the topical colour – the colour that you see immediately when the tan is applied. And because this topical colour washes off in the shower after your tan has developed, it has no effect on the colour of your tan whatsoever.


Q: Is it better to choose a natural or organic spray tan?

 A: The simple definition of organic is ‘something derived from the earth’. DHA which is a sugar derivative can therefore be described as organic. However, in order for the sugar derivative to become DHA it has to go through a chemical process so is it really natural? That would depend on what you define as ‘organic’.  This topic is open for debate but bottom line is that DHA has been safely used for over 50 years with no contra indications (except DHA allergy which is uncommon).  Similarly, scaremonger tactics relating to other ingredients in spray tanning solutions are unfounded when you understand what they are. 

The table below details some common ingredients contained in many spray tans and explains what they do. You’ll see they’re not nearly as frightening as you thought.

** Dihydroxyacetone is the main active ingredient in all sunless tanning skincare preparations.
  DHA does not damage the skin, and is considered a safe skin colouring agent.
 DHA has been approved for cosmetic use by the FDA, the Canadian Health Ministry and most of the EU member nations. DHA based Sunless tanning has been recommended by Skin Cancer Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology Association, Canadian Dermatology Association and the American Medical Association"


Q: Is it true that 2 hour rapid tans contain chemicals that may be harmful?  
 
 A: There’s a lot of confusion regarding 2 hour tans so let’s see if I can shed some light on how they work. DHA (the tanning agent) takes about 6-8 hours to fully develop. Essentially, a two hour tan allows clients to shower after two hours. At this stage, the tan has not developed fully but will continue to develop for a further 6-8 hours AFTER showering. This is great news for clients who dislike that telling fake tan aroma and for clients who prefer not to go to bed wearing their tan.
Most rapid tans are perfectly safe and adhere to stringent manufacturing standards. However, there are some that contain an ingredient that enables the tan to be rapidly absorbed deep into the skin (and possibly the bloodstream). Not enough research has been conducted at this stage to indicate what the long term effects of DHA absorption may be but The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly cautions against this.
 
Q: So how do I know which 2 hour tan to choose?

 A: Here are a few guidelines:

a)   If your 2 hour tan has developed significantly following your post tan shower (two hours after application) then it may contain ingredients discussed in the previous question that enable the tan to be rapidly absorbed deep into the skin and bloodstream. My advice is to choose a 2 hour tan that allows you to shower after 2-3 hours but still continues to develop for a further 6 hours AFTER showering. (Remember, ordinary DHA needs to develop over a period of 6-8 hours so your skin will have very little colour immediately after your post tan shower but your tan will deepen over the next couple of hours).

 Rest assured, extensive testing is currently being conducted by NATA** to ensure all 2 hour tans currently on offer in Australia are safe to use. Should any tanning solutions prove to contain potentially harmful ingredients; the findings will be reported to ACCC for immediate withdrawal of such product/s.   

b)   Do your research. It stands to reason that the longer a company has been manufacturing spray tanning solutions, the more experienced they will be. Find out as much as you can about the company whose products you’re using. For example: how long the company has been manufacturing spray tanning solutions? What research and development facilities they utilize. Ask if they conduct stability testing on their solutions. (E.g. SOL solutions undergo 12-18 months of stability testing before being offered to consumers).  
 
Q: Why do some salons offer a face mask when I get spray tanned but others don’t?

 A: I ALWAYS insist both client and spray tanning technicians wear a face mask when tanning. DHA is not meant to be inhaled or absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin or the mucous membranes. If your spray tanning technician doesn’t offer you a face mask – ASK FOR ONE!

 
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY ABOUT DHA:
The FDA cautions that the side effects and risks of ingesting or inhaling DHA are unknown. The FDA also cautions that neither the eye nor any mucous membranes should be exposed to DHA.
 
 A study by the National Toxicology Program suggests that information on the risks of dihydroxyacetone is, as yet, unclear. The study points out that DHA is a carbohydrate metabolized by plants and animals. The same report also stated that DHA, when applied to the skin of mice, had no carcinogenic effect.

 
AND NOW, THE TAN KILLERS...

PERSPIRATION/EXCESSIVE EXERCISE
 Working out may work wonders on your body but it’ll wreak havoc on your sunless tan. It’s got to do with the enzymes, chemicals (and water) we emit when we sweat so if you want to hang on to your tan for as long as possible, it’s probably best to cut back on the gym. And remember not to exercise on the day you apply your tan!

DHA OVERSATURATION
 We’ve all seen them…those orange hued bodies that make us vow never to ‘fake’ it again. But there’s no reason your sunless tan shouldn’t be sensational and natural-looking.  If you over apply tanning solution or constantly ‘top up’ your tan, you’re going to over saturate your skin with DHA.   The more tan you apply, the more orange you’ll become it’s as simple as that. The secret to drop dead gorgeous colour is to exfoliate your skin every 7-10 days then reapply your favourite tan. And remember, skin sheds constantly so if you keep ‘topping up’ your tan won’t only look orange, it’ll become patchy and dull.

Not a good look!

SWIMMING
Sad but true. Waterlogged skin isn’t conducive to a glowing gorgeous tan. You’ve probably noticed after a long relaxing soak in the tub how your skin tends to clump and peel off when you rub it? Well it stands to reason that if you’re wearing a sunless tan, the same thing is going to happen and your tan will simply peel off. And, if you’re swimming in a chlorinated pool, it’s a double whammy as chlorine ‘bleaches’ the skin. Too long in the shower has the same effect as does excessive perspiration. To maintain your tan, opt for a quick shower and gently pat skin dry.

PERFUME
 Due to high alcohol content, some perfumes can leave patchy areas on your tan. So when applying your favourite fragrance its best to spray or dab onto the pulse points like the wrists and inside elbows rather than on the neck or between the breasts.

DRY SKIN
 At the risk of repeating ourselves, hydrated skin is ESSENTIAL if you want an even, longer-lasting tan. So remember to moisturize!
 
**NATA accreditation provides a means of determining, formally recognising and promoting the competence of facilities to perform specific types of testing, inspection, calibration, and other related activities.

The criteria for determining a facility’s competence are based on the relevant international standard and include: the qualifications, training and experience of staff; correct equipment that is properly calibrated and maintained; adequate quality assurance procedures; appropriate sampling practices, and so on.

NATA accreditation benefits facilities by allowing them to determine whether they are performing their work correctly and to appropriate standards, and provides them with a benchmark for maintaining that competence. Many facilities operate in isolation to their peers, and otherwise would rarely, if ever, receive any independent technical evaluation as a measure of their performance. A regular NATA assessment checks all aspects of a facility's operations related to consistently producing accurate and dependable data. Areas for improvement are identified and discussed, and a detailed report provided at the end of each visit. Where necessary, follow-up action is reviewed by NATA so the facility can be confident that it has taken the appropriate corrective action. In addition to commercial services, many manufacturing organisations use NATA accreditation to ensure the testing of their products by their own in-house laboratories is being performed correctly.