SUNLESS FAQ’s
If you don’t find your question here please feel free to give us a call or email!
WHAT IS A VersaSpa TAN?
The VersaSpa Spray Tan 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, you simply step out of the booth, pats-dry any excess mist (if needed), 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 8 hours after spray 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. The DHA will continue to develop over the next 24 hours.
DO I NEED TO COVER MY HAIR WHILE TANNING IN THE VERSASPA TANNING BOOTH?
Many people wear disposable shower caps (provided by Island Tan) to keep the solution from getting in their hair. Some people tan without covering their hair, (we do not recommend this for blondes). 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.
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.
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.
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.
HAS ANYONE HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO 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. Everyone’s skin is different, so doing a “patch test” is the safest way to see if there would be an allergic reaction before spraying your entire body.
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 Hydration Spray or drying powders to help with the smell.
IS THERE WAYS TO ENHANCE THE VERSASPA TAN RESULTS?
Yes! Making sure you are prepping correctly, wearing the appropriate clothing, staying hydrated and applying a moisturizer prior to spray tanning (No Dove Products) Using a Perfector before helps the skin have the best reaction with sunless tanning solution. Using a moisturizer frequently will help the tan last longer, as DHA will dry out your skin. Island Tan has several retailed 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 VERSASPA 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. If you are going to get into the pool or water a lot. We highly recommend the retailed Hydration Spray post spray tan, as well as using throughout your spray tans life. Make sure you rinse after getting out of the water and moisturizing/hydrating immediately after to help your spray tan longevity.
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.
HOW LONG AFTER A VERSAPA TAN TANNING SESSION BEFORE I CAN PUT MY CLOTHES BACK ON?
Once you have towel dried you can immediately put your clothes back on. There is little chance of the bronzer or DHA getting on your clothes. We recommend dark loose clothing. Long pants & Sleeves to help mitigate skin-to-skin transferring. 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. However, strenuously activities and sweating can ruin your spray tan development.
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!
“Where the Sun Always Shines”
Find your Perfect Color!
Mon-Fri: 9 am-7 pm | Sat-Sun: 12 pm-5 pm
1545 Gulf Shores Parkway Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(in Rouse’s Shopping Center)
251.968.4826 (Phone)
251.244.2424 (Text Line Only)