The day you graduate is an important milestone in your life, as it marks the last day of college. Everyone wants to look their best during the ceremonies, but there’s one more thing we really care about: the graduation pictures.
Regular tans are hard to perfect, and they also come with sun damage. On the other hand, getting a spray tan for your Santa Barbara graduation comes with fewer risks.
Whether you want to take pictures with your friends and family or want to look good on campus, this article will tell you how to get a long-lasting spray tan for your UCSB graduation.
Preparations for a Lasting Spray Tan
A spray tan can last for 7 days or so, but you’ll have to do it correctly. You’ll have to make some preparations in the month before and after the spray tan. Here’s what you should do before getting the tan to make sure it lasts:
Choose a Reliable Provider
Santa Barbara and Goleta have numerous places where you can get airbrush tanning, but make sure to choose a provider that uses high-quality products. Salons such as SweetCheeks use gentle and rich formulas that stick to the skin evenly and last a long time. Make sure to do your research beforehand.
Exfoliate Before the Appointment
It’s recommended you exfoliate around 24 hours before getting airbrush tanning. Focus on areas such as knees, ankles, and elbows, as these pack a lot of dead skin. It’s best to use a dry brush or an oil-free scrub to leave the skin as clean as possible.
Skip the Skincare
Any lotion you apply to your body creates a barrier between your skin and the spray tan. Even a simple hand cream can influence the results. Steer clear of perfume, oils, and deodorant while you’re at it.
Dress Appropriately
Dark clothing prevents visible stains on the clothes, but it’s even more important to wear loose clothes. The tanning solution needs a few hours to absorb. If you wear tight clothes, it can lead to streaks in the tan and influence the results.
Remove Excess Hair
If you have hair removal in mind, you should do it about 24-48 hours before spray tanning. Your follicles need time to heal and skipping that can lead to irritation. Sugar waxing is gentle and removes both hair and dead skin cells, but you’ll still have to leave some space between appointments. Otherwise, it could lead to uneven absorption of the tan.
Aftercare Tips to Prolong Tan Longevity
Unless you get a last-minute tan, it will fade with every activity and shower you engage in. Here are some aftercare tips to end the school year with a lasting tan:
Be Mindful of Your Skin Type
Depending on your skin tone and type, your top layer can shed faster. Dry skin sheds fast and also in clumps. If that’s the case, be sure to moisturize regularly using an oil-free formula.
Schedule Activities Accordingly
California is a place where you can enjoy the warmth through many fun activities. Living in Santa Barbara or Goleta, you may be tempted to take a dive in the pool or at the beach now and again. However, prolonged exposure to these types of summer activities can affect the longevity of your tan. We’re not saying you shouldn’t enjoy summer but limit these activities before your ceremony.
Practice Gentle Showering
The first shower after the spray tan should be a rinse under lukewarm water. You can shower using body wash after that, but be gentle. Avoid hot showers, and refrain from scrubbing using a loofah or sponge. Exfoliating products can cause your spray tan to fade faster, and that’s the last thing you want.
Avoid Scented Products
Scented products generally have oils and alcohol in the formula, both of which can affect the longevity of your spray tan. If you want to smell a certain way on the days leading up to your graduation, you can use the perfume on your clothes. The less you mess with your skin, the more your spray tan is likely to maintain its glow until graduation and beyond.
Use a DHA Lotion
Spray tans use DHA in their formula to give your skin that sun-kissed pigment. If you want the tan to last for your graduation, you can use a lotion with DHA in its formula. The estheticians at SweetCheeks can offer you a few good recommendations, along with the best practices to apply them to your skin.
Look Your Best with a Spray Tan on Your UCSB Graduation
Spray tans are a good way for you to get that golden glow on your UCSB graduation day without the risk of sunburn. They complement every outfit you choose to wear at graduation, and they make you look picture-perfect. Make sure to follow our best practices to enjoy long-lasting results.