FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the St Tropez Tan?

It’s a new way of applying sunless tanning solution to your body.  It combines the latest advances in sunless tanning products with state-of-the-art airbrushing technology. A very fine sunless tanning solution is airbrushed over your body.  A bronzer gives you immediate golden-brown color, and DHA gives you a long-lasting tan.  Plus, a high-quality moisturizer makes you skin feel soft and supple.  It is a very sensual experience.

What’s in it?
All the components in the St Tropez Tanning solution can be found in high-end cosmetic products.  The key components are:

Bronzer – basically food coloring.

DHA – dihydroxyacetone, the active in most sunless tanning products.

Moisturiser – we believe we have the finest moisturizer on the market, just ask our customers.  It contains 25% aloe vera, vitamin E, alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and collagen amino acids.

What does the tan look like?
The initial tan, which you observe in seconds, is a deep, dark brown.  It is often referred to as a Jamaican tan. The initial color is from the bronzer, and will wash off with your first bath or shower. The DHA tan, which peaks after 12 to 24 hours, is a golden-brown color, often referred to as a Baywatch type tan.  

How long does it take?
The airbrushing lasts for a matter of minutes, following by a drying period.  You then towel-buff (less than a minute) and you’re done.  Most customers are in-and-out of the St Tropez tanning room in 15 to 20 minutes, with most time spent putting clothes on and off.

How long will it last?
Our customers are reporting that the tan typically lasts 5 to 7 days.  The bronzer gives you instant color.  The color intensifies rapidly, practically doubling in the first 30 minutes.  The intensity again more-or-less doubles overnight. Most of the bronzer washes off with your first bath or shower, but the DHA tan remains.  The DHA tan begins to fade after about 24 to 48 hours, but you should have a distinct tan for 5 to 7 days.

How often do I need to do it?
That’s up to you.  Once a week will give you color.  Twice a week gets you quite dark.  Some people want to be very dark, and do it even more often.  We recommend two or maybe three times in your first week to get a base tan, and once or twice a week after that, depending on your preference.

Can I go twice in a row?
Yes, but we don’t recommend it, especially for your first time.  While you do get much darker, you increase you chance of having a cosmetic problem.   Experienced St Tropez tanners sometimes do back-to-back tanning sessions, but again, we don’t recommend it.  At least wait a few hours between sessions.

Will I turn orange or streak?
No, you shouldn’t.  The St Tropez tan is the most advanced sunless-tanning method on the market.  Sunless tanning has come a long way from those old QT days.

Is it safe?
The St Tropez airbrush tan is a cosmetic.  It uses the same basic sunless tanning components as the products being promoted as a smart alternative to UV-exposure.   The main unique feature of this tan is the way it is applied – an automated airbrush process.

What about allergic reactions?
If you have hypersensitive skin, or are allergic to sunless-tanning products, please proceed with caution.  You should check with your physician prior to using this or any other sunless tanning product.  We have had very few reports of reactions of any sorts, but let’s play it safe.

What if I breathe it?
Although there is nothing in the airbrushing that should cause problems if you breathe it, we recommend that you hold your breath during the misting process.

What if it gets in my eyes?
We recommend that you close your eyes during the airbrushing, especially since that will result in your eyelids getting tanned.  However, we have not had any significant issues related to eye irritation.  

What about my hair?
Hair nets (bouffant caps) are provided, but are optional.  The airbrushing beads up on hair, but is not absorbed into hair, nor does it discolor hair.

Does it have the starchy odor of other sunless tanners?
The starchy odor often associated with sunless tanning is due to DHA reacting with your skin.  Some people’s bodies seem to absorb a starchy odor, and other people seem to shed it.  Unfortunately, the odor may be observed in this case since we use DHA just like other sunless tanning products.  Ask the staff for tips minimizing the odor.

Will it transfer to clothes?
As with any other colored cosmetic, this product has the potential to transfer to clothing.  While this occasional transfer is a nuisance, most of our customers have learned how to deal with it.  In the vast majority of cases, transferred color washes right out.  More stubborn cases may require dry cleaning.

The most likely time for transfer is immediately after tanning.  We recommend that you wear loose fitting, dark-colored clothes at that time.  

Is towel buffing really important?  Will it remove my tan?
Towel buffing is critically important, and no it does not remove the tan.  The buffing spreads around the excess solution on the body, particularly the beads of solution on the hair.  It results in a more uniform tan, being analogous to buffing a car after waxing or shoes after shining.  The little that is left on the towel is what would have otherwise transferred to your clothing.