Lindsey is the owner of Organic Tan and a native of Greenville, coming back to her roots after living in sunny LA for seven years. While in California, she worked as a celebrity assistant, learning tips on how to look your best at photo shoots. She also noticed a need for an organic tanning product and excited to be able to share this service with others. She enjoys Pilates, shoes, decadent chocolate and yummy vegetarian food. Lindsey holds a BA from the College of Charleston and is a licensed Esthetician at Greenville Natural Health Center.

Lindsey’s other moonlighting passion is to help others in the business world, especially assistants. She actively runs her other site www.lindseyholder.com for tips & tricks!

Mandy is a licensed esthetician who loves her tattoos! She will make you look like a golden goddess is no time flat. Mandy also loves make-up and anything skin care related!

FAQ’s:

What makes Organic Tan’s product organic & what are the ingredients? The product  Organic Tan purchases is Eco-Certified DHA.

What is DHA & what does it do?

DHA  {Dihydroxyacetone}is an ingredient derived from sugar cane and beets, which reacts with the amino acids in the protein on the outer layer of the skin. (the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis)to create the darkening reaction or temporary browning effect of sunless tans.

Ingredients: Aloe Vera in Purified De-Mineralized Water, Dihydroxyacetone (Eco-Cert  DHA), Witch Hazel, Caramelized Sugar (Bronzer), Juglans Regia (Walnut Shell Extract) Cranberry Seed Extract, Hawaiian Sea Extract, Sea Kelp & Vitamin C. Following ingredients represent less than 1% of total formula: Phenethyl Alcohol (see info. below) & Caprylyl Glycol, FD&C Red# 40, Green #5, Yellow #5, Organic Oils as Fragrance.

Definition of Phenethyl Alcohol is the organic compound, a colourless liquid that occurs widely in nature, being found in a variety of essential oils, Phenethyl alcohol is an alcohol with a pleasant floral odor. It is therefore a common ingredient in flavors and perfumery.  It is also used as a preservative in soaps due to its stability in basic conditions. In biology it is of interest due to its antimicrobial {capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microorganisms}properties.

Caprylyl Glycol is derived from coconut. It is used as moisturizing or wetting agent and for biological stabilization in cosmetics.

*How long do the tans usually last? It varies person to person, depending on how their skin holds the tan. The typical time is 5-7 days.

*Can I tan my body and NOT my face? It is recommended to tan your entire body, including your face to avoid tan lines.

*What make-up do I wear if I do tan my face? You can wear the same make-up as you normally would. If you have a super light powder, just do not apply as much and blot on your face vs. a heavy application.

**What if my palms or feet get darker? What do I do? Sunless sprays are not perfect & occasionally your palms may get darker if you touched the bronzer, etc.  To Remove the color, it’s best to get a stain color remover like “Clean Touch”. You can purchase this at Sally’s Beauty Supply. Nair is also an alternative to use-at your own discretion.

*If I get my tan in the am, can I take a shower that night? Preferably not. The tan needs to soak into your skin, so wait until the morning after to shower for maximum results. However, if absolutely necessary, get your tan in the am and shower 8 hours later minimum.

*Can I put make-up on after I tan? Yes. It is recommended to wait a few hours before applying. A lot of customers tan in the morning, even when they have an event that night. I recommend mineral make-up, since it is non comodogenic.

*Will you be the same darkness after showering? You will be the darkest before showering. Some of the top coat not soaked into the skin will wash after showering. However, the tan will still remain and you will enjoy your sunk-kissed glow.

* Will my tan start to break down? Yes. Any self tanning product will break down naturally on the body. After approx. 5 days or when you see the tanning product break down, remove the lasting particles. Here is how I remove my residue: Take a hot bath with several drops of oil in the water. Soak in the bath for at least 5 minutes and remove the excess residue with lathered exfoliating gloves.  Exfoliating gloves are the BEST! The friction is amazing and it pulls the tan right off! You will see it slide right off! The oil helps take the residue off easily and moisturizes your skin in the process. Now you are ready  for your next tan!

*How do self tanners work?
The principle tanning agent used in all self-tanning formulas is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This ingredient does not produce a “real tan” by increasing the skin’s melanin levels, rather it creates a tanned appearance by developing a brown color on the surface of the skin.

The action of DHA is limited to the upper layer of the skin and involves a reaction between DHA and skin proteins and oxygen that produces brown compounds.  This process is similar to what occurs when you slice open an apple and the surface of the apple browns when it’s exposed to the oxygen in the air.

The development of color takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and the intensity of color is dependent upon the DHA concentration in the product as well as each tanner’s individual skin characteristics. The color developed by the DHA usually lasts 5 to 7 days and begins to fade as the top layer of the skin naturally exfoliates.

* How many days will a sunless tan last?
The longevity of a sunless tan depends on the type of self tanning application, the skin’s natural exfoliation process, and on the skincare regimen followed before and after application.

On average, self tanners last 4-7 days. A professionally application, I.e. a sunless tan received at a salon or spa, will last longer than an at-home application as there is usually a greater percentage of DHA used.

At-home application (lotions, sprays, mousse, etc.) = 3 to 5 days
Professional application (stand-up spray units, airbrush, Custom Bronzing) = 5 to 7 days
The “life span” of a sunless tan also depends on your skin’s natural exfoliation. The faster your skin turns over, the faster the sunless tan will fade. The tan created by the DHA affects only the top layer of the skin and will begin to fade after 4 to 5 days as the skin naturally begins to exfoliate.

Following a good skin care regimen before and after sunless tanning will help a sunless tan last longer. Exfoliating prior to a sunless tanning application and keeping skin moisturized afterwards are essential. Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer, like Norvell® Pro-long™ tan extending lotion, help hydrate skin and maintain even, natural-looking color longer.

* How long should I wait after using a self tanner before I shower?
DHA solutions take about 16-hours to fully develop. Clients will receive the best results if they can avid bathing until the day after their sunless session. If they must bathe, they should wait a minimum of 6-hours after the application.

If showering prior to the 16-hour post application recommendation, a simple rinse with water only, is best. Soap destroys DHA. Delayed bathing allows the DHA bronzer sufficient time to complete its reaction with the amino acids (proteins) within the skin.

NOTE: It is important to know about the  instant/cosmetic bronzers. The cosmetic bronzer is the color that is immediately visible during the session and it will wash off during the first shower, revealing the DHA bronze tan beneath. Note this is not your tan washing down the drain.

*Why is keeping skin moisturized essential to maintain great sunless results?
It is important to keep skin moisturized after sunless tanning as dry, flaky skin will slough off faster and color will fade sooner. You basically want to slow down your body’s natural exfoliation process.

Sunless tan-extending products with a light self-tanning bronzer, like Norvell® Amber Sun™ Pro-long™, help hydrate skin and maintain even, natural-looking color longer by providing subtle bronzers.

*Will the spray from a spray tanning application come off on my clothes?
AIf you are using a spray solution with a cosmetic bronzer, some of the bronze color may rub off on clothing or bed sheets. This is most likely to happen when you get dressed immediately after tanning.

To minimize the chance of the tint transferring to clothing, we recommend that you wear loose-fitting, darker clothes after your spray session. Try to refrain from physical exertion that could result in you sweating until you shower and wash off the cosmetic bronzer.

The cosmetic tint is water-soluble. Therefore, in most cases, the color will come out of clothing in the wash.

* What about the after-odor often associated with sunless tanning?
Norvell® uses the newest technology in odor inhibitors to encapsulate the odor causing agents commonly associated with DHA products.

We then blend the fragrance with DHA in a manor which allows the pleasant fragrance of raspberry and almonds to come through, eliminating the dreaded “sunless smell”.

*What is a cosmetic bronzer?
The component of a sunless product that gives a a tanner immediate color for that “just off the beach” look.

Ingredients used in sunless cosmetic bronzers are similar to those used in cosmetic foundations or bronzing powders.

*When should Iexfoliate?
You should exfoliate before every sunless session. Using a mild shower gel/exfoliant, one day prior to the session.

Your client should allow at least 8 hours between body scrub use and the sunless session.

For clients with extremely dry skin, or problem areas we recommend using Sea Coral Salt Scrub. If using salt scrub, this must be done 24-48 hours prior to the session, otherwise the oils within the salt scrub will effect the sunless results.
*Will solution stain my client’s hair?
No. Most people will not see any affect on the color of their hair. Customers with light blonde, gray or platinum hair may see some discoloration from the cosmetic bronzers initially, however, this color will wash out with the first shower after the session. It is important when spraying to not spray directly into the hairline.

If you or the customer prefer, you can have them wear a hair cap, but it is not necessary. Note: when wearing a hair cap, make sure to pull the cap back to expose the hairline and behind the ears, otherwise you will create a hard line around the forehead and temples.

* How can clients prevent patchy or uneven wear-off?
Daily application of Norvell® Pro-Long™ color extending moisturizer will extend the look of the tan. This bronzing booster will also reduce the appearance of uneven wear and patchiness.

Pro-Long™ is a nutrient rich moisturizer that contains low levels of DHA bronzer to extend the look of any sunless tan. This exclusive formula not only extends the tan it also incorporates the latest skin care with skin-firming technology. Delivering “dynamic copper” to the skin

* How long should I allow my skin to rest between spray sessions?
We recommend that after every 5 weeks of spray tanning, the client allow their skin to rest for 10 days. This allows the customer to completely loose their tan periodically which eliminates patchiness or uneven areas of wear. These areas are caused by normal contact with clothing and other surfaces which cause additional exfoliation.

*Will I turn “orange”?
According to Norvell:  No. We have perfectly blended our cosmetic bronzer to give your customers that “just off the beach” look and transition smoothly into their DHA color that will later develop.

All Norvell® solutions are designed to create a custom color shade between the DHA/Erythulose combination and the customers natural skin tone.

The “orange” color, as it is sometime called, is the result of high pH levels within the skin. Extremely light complected customers or those tanning for the first time should be sprayed with Norvell® xLaTan™ pH Balancing prep spray to balance the skin’s pH levels prior to their application.
* How long after tanning should I wait to enjoy a pool/spa/ocean? We recommend avoiding these situations for the first 48 hours following your spray tan. Chlorinated pools & spas can increase the rate in which the skin exfoliates causing the tan to wear and fade.

*Can pregnant women be safely sprayed?
According to Norvell: As you would before using any product on a pregnant client, recommend that she consult with her personal physician before tanning. However, Norvell® solution is a non-toxic, food grade product that is not known to have any detrimental effects on an expectant mother.

* Is a DHA spray tan safe for a diabetic person?

According to Norvell:  We have received no feedback from any medical authority that would indicate a risk to a diabetic person, however, as you would before using any product on a diabetic person, we recommend each customer consult their physician before receiving a DHA spray tan application.

*I have a client with Vitiligo, will the solution cause a change in the affected areas?
Yes. Norvell® sunless solution does work on the affected areas, however, it is important to remember the skin that is lighter “tans” and the unaffected skin areas also tan, therefore they will remain different colors. While both areas do achieve a sunless tan, they will appear “two toned” when finished. Norvell® color is a blend of the natural skin color and the sunless color.

Sunless color is not a “cover-up”, but rather a blend. Customers looking to darken only the lighter skin will need to take care and apply solution to these areas only, and may be best served with any of the retail self-tanning applications available from Norvell.

* If I have sensitive skin, should I be concerned about a possible reaction to Norvell® solutions?
If you have sensitive skin and concerned about an allergies or skin reactions, we recommend you first patch test a small area of the skin prior to a full body session.

* Will sunless solution cause additional freckling to already freckled skin?
No. However, the spray does not cover freckles up either. What is darker will stay darker and what is lighter, stays lighter in contrast.

* Will I be sticky after being sprayed?
It is normal for there to be a slight sticky feel immediately following the session. Norvell solutions is formulated to be the fastest drying formula available. Clients should feel completely dry and non-tacky within 8-12 minutes following the application.

* Will a sunless tan protect you from UV sun rays?
No. You need to still wear sunscreen.