SELF-TANNING
Level 3 Beauty Therapy
HOW DOES IT WORK?
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Self tan contains an ingredient called
Dihydroyacitone (DHA) which is a colourless
sugar.
DHA reacts with the Amino acids found in our
skin and causes a temporary colour change- the
tan.
This chemical reaction takes place on the outer
most layer of the skin.
As this layer of skin is being continually shed,
the tan will last between 5-7 days.
STERILISATION AND DISINFECTION
Showers- Must be cleaned after every use to
avoid cross infection
 Floors- Must be cleaned, disinfected and dried
after every client
 Filters- Must be cleaned and changed at regular
intervals
 Bins- must be lined and changed everyday or
when needed
 Water tanks- Found in automated spray booths.
Risk assessments must be carried out to test for
bacteria and possible legionella bacteria which
can leads to legionnaires’ disease by inhaling
small droplets of water
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PREPARING THE WORK AREA
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Consider other treatments when booking in a
spray tan
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Floors should be non-slip and easy to clean
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Ensure that equipment is regularly serviced
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Ensure you have enough space to work
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Check that the lighting is adequate
PREPARING WORK AREA CONTINUED….
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Ensure you have a sufficient amount of solution
Check pressure gauges and fluid tank levels
(automated systems)
Have paper pants, hair net and goggles ready
Cover couch, trolley and floor wherever needed to
prevent staining
PREPARATION OF THE BEAUTY THERAPIST
Therapists should use the following personal
protective equipment (PPE)
 Hands should be washed adequately prior to
treatment
 The therapists hands should be protected by
using gloves- this will prevent staining and
contact dermatitis
 Uniforms can be protected by using aprons
 A face mask can be work to prevent the
inhalation of excess airborne particles
 Long hair should be tied back
CONSULTATION AND PRIOR ADVICE
Advice for spray tanning or manual tanning should
be given prior to the appointment to ensure the
client is suitable for treatment. Advice guides can
be given prior to the treatment to give that
personal touch! It should contain the following
advice:
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Hypersensitive skin or known allergies- Client
should have a patch test to assess suitability
Any form of hair removal should be performed 24
hours prior to tan
CONTINUED…
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The client should exfoliate the evening before the
tan, or morning of (if appointment is in evening)
spray tan.
Client should come in loose, dark clothing
Explain that paper pants are provided or they
can wear their own underwear (recommend to
use older underwear in this case)
CONTINUED….
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No moisturiser should be worn the day of tan
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Minimal deodorant on day of tan
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Make-up must be removed
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Jewellery must be removed for treatment
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Other treatments must not be carried out prior or
after tan.
OTHER INFORMATION
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Inform client of treatment timings; Spray tan30mins, Manual tan- 60mins
If the client is receiving an automated they must
be informed of the poses they are required to do
(typically 4)
The required colour must be agreed with the
client- this will vary from person to person
dependant on how well they tan the sun
CONTINUED…
If a client has stretch marks or recently healed
skin- the colour of the tan may differ in these
areas
 If the client has a tattoo, it may appear faded
when the tan is initially applied
 All details must be checked and signed prior to
treatment. Treatment details must be recorded.
 Under 16’s must have parental consent.
 Invite the client to ask questions- tanning is a
treatment clients can be nervous about!
 Check for contraindications before treatment.
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CONTRA INDICATIONS
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Pregnancy- Hormonal changes in the body could
cause the colour to change. No services should be
carried out in the first 3 months
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Hypersensitive skin or allergies- Test patch
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Infectious skin conditions
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Cuts and abrasions
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Recent tattoos/scar tissue
CONTINUED…
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Immediately after a heat treatment or hair
removal
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Contact lenses
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Respiratory conditions
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Skin conditions
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Positive (allergic) reaction to patch test
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Skin erythema
CONTRA ACTIONS
Erythema- caused by an allergy to the productirritation, burning sensation and swelling could
occur.
 Respiratory problems- could be cause by airborne
particles being inhaled.
 Watery eyes- irritated by product, goggles can be
used to prevent this
 Fainting- make sure the client is confortable any
hydrated
 Nausea- inhalation of airborne product could
cause nausea.
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GETTING THE CLIENT READY
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Choose the correct colour to suit client, usually a
choice of light medium or dark
Client should have exfoliated been exfoliated
prior to treatment if not having it at the salon
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Make-up and jewellery must be removed
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Client is to put on paper pants and hair net
CONTINUED…
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Therapist applies barrier cream to elbows, knees,
hands and feet
The therapist should make sure the hairline and
ears are exposed from the hair net
Explain to the client what it will feel like and
where you are going to start
AUTOMATED BOOTHS
Client prepares their skin prior to treatment.
 A large compressor sprays liquid product in a fine
mist over the client.
 The client must change position (unusually 4
times) in order to cover the whole body.
 Drying time is around 5-10 minutes
 Its quick, easy and requires little of a therapists
time
 Offers total privacy to client
 Isn’t personalised to client
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SPRAY GUN APPLICATION
Client prepares the skin prior to treatment
 Requires a client to stand in a tent or tanning
station
 The tan is applied by a therapist using a spray
gun
 Allows tan to be personalised to client and no
areas are missed
 Drying time is around 5-10 minutes
 Quick and easy to do
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AIRBRUSH APPLICATION
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Client prepares the skin prior to treatment
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A small pen like spray gun is used to apply tan
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It is used to perform corrective work such as
concealing Vitiligo
MANUAL APPLICATION
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Seen as a more luxurious option as the tan is
massaged in.
The client is exfoliated and the tan is applied by
the therapist.
This treatment takes longer to do- around 60
minutes
Tan can be applied and adapted to the client
POOR TANNING RESULTS
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Incorrect choice in colour- Tan too light or too
dark
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Uneven application
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Incorrect application technique
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Tan corrector products- to be used within 5 hours
of tan application
Orange or ashy cast to skin- caused by over
application or incorrect choice of solution
AFTERCARE ADVICE
Do not touch the skin during the application or
while the tan is still on
 Wash tan off after 8 hours
 Do not get skin wet before the 8 hours
 Avoid activities which will make you sweat
 Wear dark, loose clothing
 Avoid face masks or AHA products
 Exfoliate or buff skin for even fading
 Apply moisturiser to keep skin hydrated
 Tan extenders can be used to prolong effect of tan
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