Exclusive Tans Sunless Tanning

Airbrush Tanning Information & Pricing

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What is an Airbrush or Sunless Tan?

Sunless Tanning

A sunless tan is a tan that is cosmetically applied rather than a traditional UV-based tan. Airbrushing is the application method we use at Exclusive Tans. In an airbrush session, a trained and certified technician sprays a DHA solution on you so that your skin looks tanned. We specifically do not use a 'booth' method of application (MysticTan, MagicTan); we have tried these methods in the past with very poor results. Anyone who has seen the Friends episode where Ross attempted to use a booth will see clearly why a personal application method is superior. It's exactly that - personal.

Appointments

Want to set an appointment for Airbrush Tanning in advance? Airbush Tanning is only available in the Castle Rock location.

To Schedule your own appointment for Airbrush Tanning in advance, click here to launch our appointment software.

If you're having trouble, please give us a call (303)-660-9135 and someone will assist you.

Airbrush Tanning Pricing

  • 1 session - $30
  • 3 sessions - $75
  • 5 sessions - $120
  • 10 sessions - $200
  • 15 sessions - $250
  • 20 sessions - $350

Frequently Asked Questions about Airbrush Tanning

Why would someone get an airbrush tan instead of a 'real' one?

There are several reasons why an airbrush tan might be the right choice for you.

  • Getting a traditional tan takes time. Depending on how dark you want to be, how light you are to begin with, and how long you want to hold that color, tanning takes time. If you don't have the time, (the class reunion is this weekend), or you don't want to invest the time for a single event (a wedding or Christmas party, for example), then an airbrush tan is a great alternative.
  • Some people are taking medication that does not mix well with UV-exposure. If your doctor has given you medication and specifically advised you to stay out of the sun, then you should avoid the UV exposure in the tanning beds. Your skin will react the same as if you'd gone outside. Sunless tanning is the only alternative for these customers and we're happy to help them look their best.
  • Many customers have started working on their tan (a traditional UV-based tan), but they have tan lines or a 'farmer's tan'. A touch-up session with our airbrush techs can even things out cosmetically, while you continue to develop great color in our tanning beds.
  • Finally, even with all the new information published, a few people still have concerns about UV-exposure, and they prefer a cosmetic tan to a traditional tan.

Whatever the reason, we're here, we're trained, and we're looking forward to helping you look your best.

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How does sunless tanning work?

The active ingredient in any sunless tanner is DHA (dihydroxyacetone). It does not produce a 'real' tan by oxidizing melanin cells. It creates a tanned appearance by reacting with proteins on the surface of your skin to develop a bronze coloring. The DHA reacts with the amino acids and amino groups of the skin keratin, forming bronze-colored compounds. The process takes place on the outer layers of the epidermis. The development of color takes anywhere from 2-4 hours and the intensity is dependent on the formulation concentration of the DHA in the application product.

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How long does an airbrush tan last?

A sunless tan will start to fade after 5-7 days. To extend the life of your tan an extra 3-5 days, use a moisturizer specifically designed for sunless tans. The generally contain a light bronzer, which will keep the color fresh and even.

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How dark can I get with an airbrush tan?

That's entirely up to you. You can get sun-kissed to take off the winter-whites, or you can look as though you've spent a week on the beach. Work with your technician to determine the look you want.

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How many airbrush sessions do I need to get a tan?

Typically, it takes only one appointment to get you the tan you're looking for. Some people choose to schedule more appointments so that their tan is not 'instant'. They prefer to become darker gradually so that it seems more natural. Other people decide, after their first appointment, that they really want to be darker, so they schedule another appointment before their airbrush tan starts to fade in order to increase their color.

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How long does it take for an airbrush appointment?

While it only takes about 10 minutes to spray you head to toe, we plan 30 minutes for your appointment to give you time to dry and dress. If you want to get a UV-tanning session together with your airbrush tan (the 'combo'), then plan a little longer, and be sure to tell the sales associate this when you schedule your airbrush appointment.

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I've decided that an airbrush tan will work best for me. How far in advance should I schedule my appointment?

We recommend that you schedule your airbrush tanning appointment 1-2 days in advance of your event or trip. This will give your tan time to set in, and we still have time if we need to fix a streak or touch up your tan. If you are experienced at airbrush tanning, you can schedule your tan closer to your event.

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How do I schedule an appointment?

It's easy! Just give us a call at 303.660.9135. We only provide airbrush tanning services at the North Castle Rock salon (next door to Applebee's). If you're calling outside business hours, feel free to drop us a note via our website. We're working on offering on-line scheduling --- look for that soon.

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Do I need to pay in advance when I schedule an appointment?

Generally, we request that you either have some kind of package (tanning, airbrush, or body wraps) in order to schedule an appointment. If you don't, no problem, we may need to collect a credit card number to hold the appointment. There won't be any charge to your card unless you cancel without notice. When our airbrush services are in peak demand, we've likely turned down appointment requests for the same time as yours and we've scheduled staff to take care of you. We understand if you need to re-schedule and we appreciate the notice so that we can re-book our resources. When that doesn't happen, we need to be able to recover our costs. The fee to cancel without notice is $15.00.

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Is the airbrush space private?

Definitely! Because we value your privacy and comfort the airbrush room is the most secluded, private room available in our salon.

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What should I do to get ready for my airbrush appointment?

The night before your airbrush appointment:

  • Shave or wax
  • Exfoliate. Spend a little extra time on dry areas, such as knees, elbows, feet and hands
  • Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

The day of your appointment:

  • Come in to the salon with clean, dry, skin
  • If your appointment is in the morning, do not moisturize
  • If you appointment is in the evening, moisturize lightly in the morning, but do not reapply before your appointment.
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How do I take care of my sunless tan after my appointment?

  • Arrange your schedule so that you do not sweat or shower for at least 6 hours after your airbrush tanning appointment. Be sure, however, to shower no later than 10 hours after your appointment. Try to avoid sleeping overnight without showering after your appointment.
  • Do not worry if color is seen washing off in the shower. This is the toner, not your tan.
  • Do not moisturize, swim, or exercise until after your first shower.
  • Do not exfoliate for at least 48 hours after your sunless tanning application.
  • If the color starts to fade unevenly, or if the sunless tan needs a quick color pick-me-up, apply a spray-on self-tanner. We offer these in a variety of sizes to suit your needs.
  • Use Bronzing Powder to fill in any tan lines, accentuate color, and stay sun-kissed.
  • Use the Corrector Kit to remove any unwanted stains and correct over-saturated areas.
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What should I wear to the salon for my appointment?

Wear loose fitting dark clothes to and from the salon. Do not wear wool, nylon, or silk immediately after a sunless tanning application.

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What do I wear during my appointment

If you are female, you may wear nothing at all if you don't want lines. We provide paper undergarments if you prefer, or you are welcome to bring something you are comfortable in. Most women wear the paper thong and go topless for maximum exposure while maintaining a little modesty. If you are male, you must wear briefs of some kind.

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Will the solution stain my clothes?

No. You will see residue on the inside of your clothing immediately after your appointment, but it doesn't generally stain. To be safe, don't wear wool, nylon, or silk immediately after a sunless tanning application.

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Can I choose the technician for my appointment?

Absolutely! When you make your appointment, you can request a specific technician. Be advised that each tech only works certain days, so you may need to adjust your schedule in order to request a specific technician. All the technicians are women.

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I've used a sunless tanner that I applied myself, and it turned me orange. How can you keep this from happening with an airbrush tan?

Many people have had this experience and are delighted to find out it's much less common in airbrush tanning than in home applications. The active ingredient in sunless tanning is DHA. It's a sugar-cane based element that is common to all sunless tanning products. Very few people have an 'orange' reaction to DHA. Rather, the ingredients used to keep the DHA from settling or pooling in a lotion or cream, when mixed with the DHA can cause over-saturation, streaking, and an orange appearance. With airbrush tanning, as well as other commercial application methods, the DHA solution is not mixed with a lotion or cream. There is no opportunity for the product to 'settle' or the suspension to become pooled. The solution is 'misted' on you for more light and even coverage. The application method, combined with trained and certified technicians, will give you a great natural-looking tan in only minutes.

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Can I get airbrushed over a traditional UV-based tan?

Absolutely! A traditional UV-based tan takes time to develop. Airbrushing or sunless tanning will give you a tanned appearance sooner than traditional tanning alone. We offer a sunless 'combo' session; a regular tanning session followed immediately by an airbrush session. The heat and UV exposure of the traditional session will open the pores creating the maximum saturation opportunity for the airbrush solution.

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Can I go out in the sun with a sunless tan?

Yes. The UV light from the sun will not damage your sunless tan. However, the sunless tan does not provide any protection from the sun; it is purely cosmetic. Be sure to apply sunscreen with a sunless tan.

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