Norvell spray tanning products feature a breakthrough micro-nutrient technology that delivers a potent blend of vitamins and antioxidants to boost the skin’s inherent “just off the beach” glow. The Norvell tan natural formula works with the skin creating a customized shade of color every time.

Before you take advantage of our airbrush tanning systems, we recommend preparing your body for the ultimate tan. Amber Sun by Norvell products are a fantastic way to achieve hydrated, firm and tan skin at home. The hydrating body wash, moisturizing body scrub, and body butter are a great way to prep for and maintain a healthy glow.

All of your friends will be jealous of your long lasting “just off the beach” color! There is a Norvell airbrush tan solution for everyone!

If you need help deciding which products to purchase, please contact our tanning experts.

Airbrush Tanning Q & A

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.

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.

If 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.

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 educate your customer regarding 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. An uneducated client may think their tan is washing down the drain.

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.

Have a question about our Custom Airbrush Tanning? Ask us!