Most spray tan solutions are tinted with a bronzer, which gives skin an instant bronzed tan while the actual spray tan product develops with the skin. This bronzer washes away when you take your first shower, but by then, the actual spray tan would have darkened to give you your desired tan.
Using a tinted self-tanner not only gives you an instant glow, but it also allows the technician to see where they have applied the product. However, some salons use clear spray tan products.
What are clear spray tans? Clear spray tan solutions are the same products that work to tan your skin, but they just do not contain the instant bronzer that most other products do. The clear spray tan will develop on your skin to give you a darker skin tone over a few hours.
If you are not a fan of bronzers, you might consider trying out a clear spray tan. Keep reading to find out if it is the right option for you!
What Is A Clear Spray Tan?
A clear spray tan is very much the same as a normal spray tan, but the biggest difference is that clear spray tans do not contain an instant, temporary bronzer that offers a bronzed look straight away.
Clear spray tans are still applied the exact same way that normal spray tans are, the only difference is that the technician will not be able to see where the spray tan has been applied, as there is no bronzer to use as a guide.
It is a good idea to only use a professional technician to apply clear spray tan, as it can be much harder to work with. You would want to ensure that they have applied the clear spray tan evenly on your skin, and have not missed any areas or left any patches.
How Does A Clear Spray Tan Work?
There is no difference in the way that a clear spray tan works compared to a bronzer spray tan, just that the one gives you an instant bronzed color while the actual tan develops, and the other doesn’t.
Clear spray tan, like other spray tan solutions, contains DHA, which is an active ingredient that reacts with the outer layer of dead skin cells, as well as the oxygen in the air to develop a darker skin tone.
The DHA takes a few hours to develop the darker color on your skin, so you need to leave it to develop before jumping in the shower or using any beauty products.
The product still needs to be sprayed evenly all over your skin to give you a smooth, natural tan, and if any spots are missed, you won’t be able to notice it straight away, but you will notice once the color has fully developed.
What Does A Clear Spray Tan Look Like?
A clear spray tan looks very different from a regular spray tan, as it does not contain the bronzer which shows up instantly on the skin.
Most clear spray tan products look like a thick clear solution, and sometimes they can appear milky, which can help with the application. How the spray appears depends on the brand used.
Often the clear spray tan can have a sheen when applied to the skin, which can help with more even applications. If bright lights are used during application, then it should give better visibility on where the product has been applied and where it hasn’t.
Advantages Of A Clear Spray Tan
There are a few advantages to using a clear spray tan, and for some people, it is a much better option than using a spray tan with bronzer:
1. No Bronzer
The benefit of not having a bronzer in the spray tan means that you can pop out on your work lunch break and have your spray tan done, and return to work not looking like you spent weeks on the beach!
The color will develop gradually over the hours following your spray tan, so you do not feel like you have gone from fair to super-tanned in just an hour.
2. Less Fading
Many people find that there is more fading that happens with a bronzer spray tan, than when using a clear spray tan. Using a clear spray tan usually allows your tan to fade more evenly, but this is more true for lighter skin tones.
Suitable For Sensitive Skin
For those who have sensitive skin, and who have reactions to food-grade dyes and colorants, clear spray tans can be the better option.
It is more suitable for sensitive skin as it does not contain any of these dyes or colorants, so the chance of allergies or sensitivity is reduced.
3. No Green Color
Sometimes, when cosmetic products or creams are left on the skin when a spray tan with a bronzer is applied, it could turn a mucky-green color, rather than a bronzed tone.
When there is no colorant or bronzer included in the spray tan, such as with a clear spray tan, then there is no chance that you will land up with green spots and patches on your skin.
4. Fewer Patches
Often, bronzer in spray tans can pool and collect in pores and fine lines, which means that you can land up with a very uneven look, and while the bronzer is supposed to wash off in your first shower, it can be difficult to remove it from pores and fine lines.
A clear solution will not give you these darker spots and pooling and will help you develop a more even tone all over.
5. Long-Lasting
DHA is an active ingredient in spray tan products, and when it is mixed with bronzers and other types of colorants, it might deteriorate quicker and it might turn a green color sooner.
When you eliminate these bronzers and colorants, then the spray tan becomes longer-lasting and more shelf-stable. It also decreases the risk that you will have a discolored spray tan.
6. No Instant Stains
As there is no bronzer in the formula, you will not notice any instant stains on your clothes and linen. This is ideal if you need to run some errands or see people after your spray tan appointment.
As the color of your skin develops, the stains might develop too, but it at least gives you time to get home and change into other clothes first.
7. Disadvantage Of Clear Spray Tan
Like with all things, clear spray tans have advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the disadvantages of clear spray tans:
8. Longer Color Development
With a normal spray tan, you can enjoy a bronzed tone straight away. Even though this bronzer will wash away as soon as you shower, it gives you a tanned look while the color develops underneath.
With a clear spray tan, you do not get this instant color, and you will have to wait for a few hours for your color to eventually develop.
9. Hard Application
It can be so much harder to apply clear spray tan than applying spray tan with a bronzer. The bronzer works as an application guide, so you can see where the product has been applied, and any gaps that you have missed.
Some clear spray tans are a milky white color or have a sheen to them, but it is still not as clear to follow as a spray tan with a bronzer.
Final Thoughts
A clear spray tan is a spray tan solution that does not contain any bronzer. It still works the same as a normal spray tan, but it does not have a bronzer that gives you an instant tanned toned.
Many people prefer to use clear spray tan products, as you can carry on with your day, return to work, or fetch the kids from school, without suddenly appearing ten skin shades darker. You will still be able to achieve a darker tan, but the color will need a few hours to develop.
Clear spray tans can be more tricky to apply, but they have some great benefits that suit many people!
Related Questions
How long does a clear spray tan last?
A clear spray tan lasts as long as a normal spray tan with a bronzer would. Expect your clear spray tan to last between 7-10 days. The tan will inevitably fade as the outer layer of your skin sheds, taking the tan along with it.
How long will it take for a clear spray tan to show color?
You will not notice the color of your clear spray tan right away, and it will take a few hours for the color to develop. You can expect the color to develop over 4-6 hours, with a darker color taking longer to develop.
Can clear spray tans stain?
Clear spray tans can stain, and often they can be more dangerous when it comes to staining because you cannot actually see where the product has come into contact with your clothes. The stain will develop after some time, and often it can be permanent.
