The Science Behind Spray Tanning: A Quick Dive Into DHA and How to Spray Tan Like a Pro
Look, we're not here to lecture you about chemistry like some beauty school textbook. But if you're gonna glow, you might as well know what's actually happening to your skin, and why spray tanning is the move when you refuse to let the sun (or society) dictate your timeline.
What Actually Happens When You Spray Tan
Spray tans work because of something called DHA (dihydroxyacetone). It's a sugar molecule that reacts with the amino acids on your skin. No UV rays. No damage. Just a chemical reaction that temporarily darkens your skin tone over the course of a few hours. It’s pretty much the same reaction that happens when cookies brown in the oven. It's called the Millard Reaction (the more you know, bestie).
Translation? You're not "tanning" at all. You're bronzing. You're choosing your glow on your terms, and your skin isn't paying the price later.
The color develops in about 4-8 hours, peaks around 24, and lasts roughly 7-14 days, depending on how well you prep and maintain your glorious glow..
How to Spray Tan Like You Built the Damn Place
1. Exfoliate like you're erasing old versions of yourself.
Dead skin = patchy tan. Use a gentle scrub or exfoliating mitt the day before. Pay extra attention to anywhere your skin gets a little rough around the edges.
2. Moisturize the dry spots first. Hands, feet, joints. DHA grabs onto dryness, and unless orange elbows are your thing, balance it tf out.
3. Go naked. Well, almost.
Wear something loose and dark after your tan. Let it develop without rubbing off on your favorite white tee. Bras are optional. Tan lines are a vibe, but only when they're intentional. Remember, anything tight on your skin will leave a mark so to be safe, just pull up in your best Adam Sandler fit and call it a day babe.
4. Shower when your spray tan tech tells you to.
Follow directions. Don’t go rogue on the 50/50 situationship with your spray tan artist. Shower when you're told to. You will rinse anywhere from 2 hours-8 hours.
5. Hydrate your skin daily.
Once your tan is locked in, moisturize every day to keep it even and extend the life of your glow. Dry skin sheds faster, and so does your bronze. You also want to hydrate from within. Drink your H20 and mind your business.
6. Pat dry after showers. Don't scrub.
You're not trying to erase it, you're maintaining it. Be gentle. Let your glow fade naturally instead of rubbing it into oblivion.
Why This Matters (And Why We Care)
At ALT SUN, we're not just teaching you how to tan. We're teaching you how to take control. Because the idea that you need to "earn" your glow by lying out for hours, risking burns and long-term damage, or worse—feeling guilty for wanting to look a certain way? That's old thinking.
You don't need permission to feel good in your skin. You don't need a beach vacation or a dermatologist's approval. You just need to know how it works, trust the process, and show up exactly how you want to.
Spray tanning isn't vanity. It's autonomy.
Glow how you want. No sun required. No apologies needed.
