The New Bronze Age

Known for beautiful weather and sunny seasons, Florida makes it easy to maintain a sun-kissed glow. Still, sunbathing on beach days can often take a backseat to work schedules and responsibilities. The occasional stormy weather, brief winters and cloudy days are a factor, too.

Enter the spray tan. Not so many years ago, bottled bronzers yielded unnatural and unpleasant results — tangerine hues, streaky skin and residue on clothing. Today, apparent fake tans are a thing of the past. Improved ingredients and blends have given a resurgence to the alternative tanning method.

“The biggest misconception about spray tanning is turning orange. Yes, it can happen, but it shouldn’t happen if you tan with an experienced and certified tanner,” said Kimberly Barnard, owner of Myst Me.

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: and FlamingoImages

“It comes down to the type of solution your tanner uses, being able to determine the appropriate DHA level for each client and almost even more importantly, to know when to tell the client to shower for the first time, because no one person should be told the same processing time.”

Spray tans don’t present the same health risks as traditional sunbathing and tanning beds. Skin cancer poses a long-term threat, and red, peeling skin from sunburns can be painful and ruin a fresh glow.

“I started Myst Me 14 years ago after a skin cancer diagnosis in 2009,” shared Barnard. “The tanning bed was my daily routine. I remember getting the skin cancer cut out of my hand and going to the tanning bed that day, yet holding my hand out of the bed while I tanned.”

At that moment, Barnard realized she had a problem with overtanning, and that was the last time she ever laid in a tanning bed.

“My mom bought me my first spray tan gun. Initially, I just tanned my friends to practice. Then, I went on to complete two separate training courses and became Master Certified,” Barnard explained.

Although spray tanning is considerably safer than tanning beds and sunbathing, Barnard reminds every client to use sunscreen after their spray tan to ensure the longevity of the tan and well-protected skin.

“Make sure to use a sunscreen that says ‘oil-free’ so you don’t strip off your new tan,” she said.

Just as one must take precautions before enjoying natural rays, such as using sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure, spray tanning has its own precautions.

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Arteni Inesa

To avoid rubbing off on furniture or clothing, Myst Me advises steering clear of tight clothing.

“After tanning, we tell our clients to wear long, loose, dark pajama pants, sweat pants or palazzo pants. Long pants will not only protect their tan but also protect everything they sit or lean on during the processing phase.”

Barnard notes that your spray tan will not transfer to any furniture or clothing after you take your first shower.

With the days of unnatural orange hues in the rearview, spray tans now offer a safe and quick way to achieve a beautiful Florida glow.

“Spray tanning is a form of art,” Barnard said, “and everyone deserves to feel confident.”