Find your Perfect Color!
251.968.4826
1545 Gulf Shores Parkway Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(in Rouse’s Shopping Center)
Mon-Fri: 9am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 12pm-5pm
Here is a list of a few frequently asked questions about spray tanning. If you don’t find your question here please feel free to give us a call or email!
What is VersaSpa Tan?
The VersaSpa™ booth is a private, self-contained system that employs a patented revolutionary spray-on process to apply a uniform amount of sunless tanning mist to the entire body in just seconds. When the tanning session is complete, the consumer simply steps out of the booth, pats-dry any excess mist, dresses, and exits. The result is a uniform, natural-looking tan in under five minutes.
WILL IT TURN ME ORANGE?
No! In the past, self-tanners gave many individuals an unnatural orange glow and caused streaking. Most of these undesirable results were caused by improper or ineffective application techniques. Applying creams and lotions by hand usually results in excessive amounts being absorbed in the skin. Excessive amounts applied in a single application can give an orange glow to the skin. Unnatural dark spots may also appear in dry or thick-skinned areas such as elbows, knees, and knuckles because these areas have a tendency to absorb more of the cream. Handheld spray-on applicators tend to run and cause streaking.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT AFTER A TANNING SESSION BEFORE I CAN SHOWER?
We recommend that you wait a minimum of 4 hours after tanning to give the DHA enough time to fully set. If you shower earlier, you may diminish the intensity of the tan. When you do shower the initial tan created by the water-soluble bronzer will wash off, but the DHA will remain and create your long-term tan. If you rinse before the 12 hour mark, only a warm water rinse is recommended. Using only your palms in circular motions to remove the cosmetic bronzers.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE VERSASPA TAN MIST GETS IN MY EYES?
VersaSpa Tanning Mist formulations have been thoroughly tested by a third party lab and the results showed no eye or skin irritation. More than 20 million sunless sessions occur every year, with no adverse reactions documented.
DO I NEED TO COVER MY HAIR WHILE TANNING IN THE VERSASPA TANNING BOOTH?
Many consumers wear disposable shower caps (provided by the Salon) to keep the solution from getting in their hair. Other consumers tan without covering their hair. The solution will not penetrate the hair follicles. However, we MUST remind you to make sure the hairnet is off the skin and allowing a little bit of the hair to show, so you do not get a line from the hairnet.
HAS ANYONE HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE CHEMICALS USED IN THE VERSASPA TANNING SOLUTION?
All of the components of the sunless tanning solution have been used in cosmetics and food products for decades and have proven to be safe for use on the skin. If you have had previous allergic reactions to self-tanning lotions or cosmetics you may want to do a “patch test” by putting a small amount of the sunless solution on a small area of the skin to test for possible reactions.
DO I NEED TO HOLD MY BREATH DURING THE TANNING SESSION?
We recommend that you hold your breath during the actual misting process, which lasts 12 to 18 seconds. We make this recommendation because most individuals would prefer not to breathe in the mist, even though there is nothing in it that would cause any harm if you did breathe it in. If you have a history of asthma or other respiratory illnesses we do not recommend that you tan in the VersaSpa tanning booth until consulting with your physician.
WILL THE COMPONENTS OF THE VERSASPA SOLUTION MAKE MY SKIN HAVE AN UNPLEASANT SMELL?
Some consumers have commented that they noticed a “starchy” smell on their skin after tanning, but it is usually not noticeable to others around them. We do offer retail products like spray tan sealers or drying powders to help with the smell.
ARE THERE WAYS TO ENHANCE THE VERSASPA TAN RESULTS?
Yes! Making sure you are prepping correctly, wearing the appropriate clothing, staying hydrated and applying a sunless water-based moisturizer prior to tanning helps the skin absorb the sunless tanning solution. Using a moisturizer frequently will help the tan last longer. Island Tan has several products that are specially formulated for Sunless Tanning and are designed to prolong, protect and enhance your sunless tanning experience.
CAN I GO SWIMMING AFTER TANNING IN THE MYSTIC TAN BOOTH?
You should not swim or shower for a minimum of 24 hours after tanning in the VersaSpa booth. Swimming in chlorinated water at any time can bleach the Spray tan and possibly cause streaking and greatly diminish the length of the tan.
HOW LONG AFTER A VERSAPA TAN TANNING SESSION BEFORE I CAN PUT MY CLOTHES BACK ON?
Once you have towel dried there is little chance of the bronzer or DHA getting on your clothes. If you pursue any strenuous physical activity after your Sunless tanning session, perspiration may cause some of the bronzer to transfer to your clothing. Since the bronzer is completely water-soluble it will wash out.
HOW MANY TIMES DO I NEED TO TAN WITH THE VERSASPA TANNING PROCESS TO ACHIEVE THE COLOR I WANT?
You will be tan after one session, but it may take a additional session or two to achieve your desired color. Once you reach the color you desire you should be able to maintain it by tanning every 3-10 days, depending on your prep and post care regiment.
IF I TAN IN THE VERSASPA TANNING BOOTH, CAN I ALSO TAN IN TANNING BEDS AND IN THE SUN?
Yes. There is nothing in the Sunless tanning solution that would prevent you from tanning in tanning beds or the sun. In fact, a number of customers have found that tanning with UV rays and the Sunless tanning solution actually gives them a better overall tan. If you do plan to use a tanning bed and the VersaSpa booth on the same day we recommend that you tan in the tanning bed first. Remember, however, that the VersaSpa tan does not give you any protection from UV rays. So please still use a Sunscreen while laying out! We ONLY recommend Mineral Sunscreens, especially Stream2Sea, which is sold in stores. We offer Active, Tint, Kids & SHIMMER! If you choose to not buy a sunscreen from us, please only use mineral sunscreens to protect your skin and the environment.
BECAUSE OF MY FAIR SKIN AND HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO TAN BEFORE. WILL THE VERSA SPA TANNING BOOTH GIVE ME A TAN?
Yes. The VersaSpa™ tanning booth was designed specifically for individuals who can’t or don’t want to tan conventionally. It is a safe way to achieve a healthy, suntanned look in a minimum amount of time.CAN I USE THE VERSASPA TAN BOOTH IF I AM PREGNANT?
VersaSpa™ Inc. & Island Tan suggests that you consult your Doctor regarding this matter. As we are not doctors and cannot advise you. A doctor’s note, may even be required for sunless tanning.
“Where the Sun Always Shines”
Here is a list of a few frequently asked questions about the Heath and Saftey of Spray Tanning. If you don’t find your question here please feel free to give us a call or email!
WHAT IS DHA AND HOW SAFE IS IT?
DHA is dihydroxyacetone, a carbohydrate (monosaccharide sugar) compound approved by the FDA for use in externally applied sunless tanning solutions. DHA is usually derived from a vegetable source like beets or sugar cane. Its properties as a skin darkener were discovered in the 1920’s but weren’t marketed as such until the 1960’s when Coppertone ® introduced Quick Tan ®. It was added to the FDA’s list of approved cosmetic ingredients in the 1970’s. DHA is the tanning ingredient used in the Mystic Tan Tanning Myst that has produced more than 50 million sunless tans with no documented reports of adverse effects.
WITH THE FDA CLARIFICATION, IS DHA STILL APPROVED FOR TANNING IN A SPRAY SUNLESS TANNING BOOTH?
Absolutely. Since DHA is approved as an externally applied color additive for sunless tanning, using the simple measures recommended by the FDA prevent it from being applied to any unapproved areas.
IS VERSASPA TANNING SOLUTION SAFE AROUND THE EYES, AND IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO FURTHER PROTECT THEM?
Yes. Sunless tanning solution has been thoroughly tested by a third-party lab and the results showed no eye or skin irritation. VersaSpa Tanning Mist has been used in over 50 million tanning sessions with no reported adverse effects. Complying with the recommendations is as simple as wearing some type of eye cover.
IS SUNLESS TANNING SOLUTION SAFE ON THE LIPS AND NASAL PASSAGES, AND IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO FURTHER PROTECT THEM?
No adverse reactions have ever been reported to VersaSpa. A simple way to comply with the FDA recommendations is to apply a protective coating of lip balm, Vaseline ®, or similar product to the lips. The nasal passages can be protected with an easy-to-use nose filter, supplied by Island Tan.
HOW SAFE IS IT TO INGEST SUNLESS TANNING SOLUTION AND HOW CAN I COMPLY WITH THE RECOMMENDATION TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING?
While no one should purposely swallow Sunless Tanning Mist, DHA is a non-hazardous compound and causes no adverse reaction in the quantities found in Sunless Tanning Mist. DHA has been used as a diet supplement in sports nutrition and it is non-carcinogenic. Testing has further shown that DHA is less toxic than aspirin, caffeine, and even common table salt. Based on research, the maximum amount of DHA that could accidentally be ingested or breathed during a one-minute sunless tanning session would be .05 milligrams (equivalent to less than one grain of common table salt). The easiest way to comply with the recommendations is to keep your mouth closed during the tanning session.
At Island Tan, our VersaSpa is an authentic VersaSpa Tan booth with Heat and Voice activation. We only use Authentic Sunless Solution so that our customers get the Absolute Best!
HOW SAFE IS IT TO INHALE SUNLESS TANNING SOLUTION AND HOW CAN I COMPLY WITH THE FDA RECOMMENDATION TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING?
DHA has a health risk rating of “0-Minimal” and is not considered a toxic material. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established “Permissible Exposure Limits” (PEL) ratings that represent the allowable airborne concentration of a toxic material to which an employee can be exposed during an 8-hour shift without personal respirators. Basically, it represents the safe level of a known toxic material. For example, a toxic material with a health risk rating of “2-Moderate” and a PEL of 5 means that OSHA has established that it is safe for employees to work an 8-hour shift – the equivalent of almost 500 VersaSpa tanning sessions – in an environment that has up to 5 parts per million (ppm) of that material in the air. The maximum DHA concentration (ppm) during an average VersaSpa tanning session is only 3.2ppm for a total exposure time of one minute. To easily comply with the recommendations, simply use a nose filter during the tanning session.
WILL MAKERS OF SUNLESS TANNING SOLUTION SEEK APPROVAL FOR USING DHA AS A COLOR ADDITIVE IN MISTING APPLICATIONS?
VersaSpa will continue to do the testing and research necessary to earn a broader approval from the FDA, but the process is a long and expensive one. It took more than 10 years from the time Coppertone Tan® began selling it’s DHA sunless tanner, Quick Tan®, in the 1960’s until the FDA approved DHA as a color additive. In the meantime, you, as a consumer, should consider using the protective measures recommended by the FDA.
HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT THE MIST AT MY SALON IS SAFE?
Don’t settle for less than the Authentic VersaSpa Sunless Tan Experience.
- Authentic VersaSpa Tanning Myst Solution
- VersaSpa Tan UV-Free Tanning System Equipment
- Pre & Post Sunless products
VersaSpa Tanning Mist has been specially formulated to work in sunless systems and our Tanning Mist has been thoroughly tested by third-party labs.