SKIN PREP and TANNING INFO
It’s time to start prepping your skin.
Stop using deodorants other than mineral free ones like Toms. Some people are allergic to Tom’s brand; if you start breaking out, switch to a different kind of natural deodorant.
Stop using perfumes or lotion other than Aveeno neutral.
Stop wearing jewelry including belly button rings.
You've worked hard to get your body where it is and soon it will be time to show it off! Don't let a hastily applied, sloppy tan hide all of that work!
Stage color is an extremely important aspect of your overall package. Truly, if it comes down to a close call between you and another competitor, if your tan is poorly applied and distracting, it will make it easier to look at the other competitor, and you don’t want that! You want the judges to look at your in your beautiful tan 😉.
We are all different and we all use different products for deodorant. Generally speaking, a competitor should stop using deodorant 2-4 weeks prior to competing and make sure to exfoliate the armpit area thoroughly 3 to 4 times a week starting at less 2 weeks prior to show time in order to give your skin time to get rid of most of what has been built up in your pores.
Deodorant has a way of leaching into the skin, and then leaching out again. Some deodorants contain minerals which will react with the tanning solution and make you turn green and, when we say green, we mean it! Not pretty at all trust us!
We have seen a lot of train wrecks backstage and it is sad to see such an avoidable issue! The main culprit is again metals such as aluminum oxide. So, plain and simple, get funky! What we mean is, if you don't stink, you should!
EXFOLIATE!
If you haven’t been exfoliating, start now! Scrub as much dead skin off as possible with exfoliating gloves with every shower until you have to apply your first coat of air brush tan. After your first coat of tan you will not shower or apply lotion or exfoliate anymore! Exfoliating gloves are our favorite! They easily penetrate all of those crevices of our body even more accentuated as we lean out. Exfoliating body washes are not ok close to competition time. We recommend body soaps with pH neutral and free of metals such as aluminum oxide. A safe bet is Neutrogena Rain Bath. Pay special attention to the rough areas of your skin such as the elbows, knees and knuckles. Rough skin tends to soak up more of the spray tan solution, causing that area to be darker and blotchy. Exfoliating thoroughly will help prevent this and it will also help the tan fade more evenly as it goes away.
MOISTURIZE!
Your skin must be well hydrated with a neutral pH lotion such as Neutrogena, or Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. We have seen perfume and lotion cause the tanning solution to turn green on the skin as well as repel the solution due to improper pH. Just as with exfoliation, pay special attention to your knees, elbows, and knuckles. You can use lotion as many time as you want throughout the day BUT DO NOT PUT ON LOTION AFTER THE LAST SHOWER BEFORE YOUR FIRST COAT OF TAN. And if you put face moisturizer on wash your hands well after as you don’t want to tough your body with your fingers that that lotion; it will cause the tan not to adhere to your skin in those areas you touched.
WAX, SHAVE, MOW, WHATEVER!
However, you decide, get the hair off before you tan. Hair tends to draw more solution into the root, causing small black spots. Make sure you show up to get spray tanned, cleanly shaved. If you haven’t been able to get waxed (no sooner than 7 days prior to your appointment) or shave, make sure that when you, you do so very close to your first coat of tan to limit the hair regrowth by the time you get on stage. After you shave, make sure you exfoliate as razors have a little thin strip which often contains metals and in some cases if one doesn’t exfoliate thoroughly can show interesting green stripes!
HANG LOOSE!
Wear very loose fitting clothes to and from being airbrushed. Tight clothes, including socks, will rub against the freshly applied tan and cause light areas. Consider what may be exposed later and make sure you're not causing issues with waistlines and sock lines.
Wear flip flops or loose short Hugg like boots. Tall wedge flit flops are best as it keeps you off the ground in case of rain.
DRY WELL!
Your technician will take you into the next cubicle and you will stand in front of the fan making sure to face both away and toward the fan periodically.
Wear flip flops, kimono, or other loose, baggy clothing after tan is applied.
If you wear a kimono, do not tighten the belt to tight around the waist. Flannel or synthetic material such as fleece is better than cotton. Turning your tops inside out will help alleviate marks from the seams of shorts, sweatshirts, hoodies etc. if they are tight.
Do not sit on the toilet. Instead, squat over the toilet!
Watch for splashes when using the toilet!! (APPLIES TO ALL)
Ladies this is especially important to you. Peeing in a cup (24 oz. minimum) is the way to go. Place some toilet paper in the toilet to minimize splashing when emptying your cup.
The fun of being a competitor!!!
Sleep in long sleeved shirt and pants (flannel pajamas work well!)
Prepare your bed with dark sheet and pillowcase.
This stuff washes off but you will find dark sheets and pillowcases will be more comfortable. Flannel works best for sheets and pillowcases.
Long sleeves and pant type pajamas will help make sure that you don’t wake up with marks on your skin from skin rubbing.
Make sure you don’t lay arm on your face as the tan will transfer. You can wear soft loose gloves to help with this.
Do not be alarmed if your tan has a couple of marks after you wake up! Your airbrush technician will fix everything during the second coat!
Stay away from any water sources!!
Use wipes to wash and sanitize your hands or gently wash your fingers under gently running water. Do not splash as you will NOT rinse this coat off!
Be very careful with the first coat!
You want the solution to penetrate evenly into your skin. Keep your body away from any surface(s) and or body parts from rubbing on each other for as long as the tan needs to dry. As for drying time, everyone is different and the technicians will check you to see if you are dry.
LADIES DO NOT HAVE THEM SPRAY TAN YOUR FACE. You will apply make up on your face with foundation one tone lighter than the body.
The better prepped your skin is, the longer the tan will last and the more evenly it will fade, which is great for those post contest photo shoots!
The reason for starting your tanning early is so you can give the DHA in the first coat a good deal of time to brown your skin.
Saturday, the morning of prejudging, you will receive a second coat and touch ups at the venue, the Wendy Williamson Auditorium.