Written by Barbara Whatley, Spa & Fitness Director.

It’s the holiday season! During this time of year, you’ll probably attend several holiday parties where you’ll get together with friends and family who you may not see on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. If you’d like to have that healthy, sun-tanned glow when you see your friends and family, we have just the thing for you. The Golden Ocala Spa now offers our members the Spray Soleil Tan, a safe, sunless tanning solution.

Look Your Best Without Harming Your Skin

If you want to have a nice looking tan without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays, spray tanning is your best option. Spray tanning allows you to stay close to your natural hue without being exposed to the harmful UV rays like you would when sun tanning or using a tanning bed.

Some people believe that because you are less likely to burn your skin when using a tanning bed, it is less harmful to your skin than tanning in the natural sunlight. This is not true. In fact, tanning beds may even be worse for your skin – they are known to cause melanoma and non-melanoma cancers.

Regardless of whether you are tanning in the sun or in a tanning bed, what darkens your skin is UV radiation, which is known to cause cancer. Tanning beds typically emit three times the UVA radiation than you would be exposed to in natural sunlight. In addition to causing cancer, UV light can also cause your skin to age, giving it discoloration, wrinkles, and dryness.

The Safest Form of Tanning

At the Golden Ocala Spa, we offer the safest form of tanning to our Club members. The Spray Soleil Tan utilizes an HVLP (High Velocity, Low Pressure) hand-held machine to apply a sugar-based DHA (Dihydroxy acetone) solution to your skin. Dihydroxyacetone reacts with the amino acids on the top layer of your skin and just like a natural tan, it will naturally fade as your skin exfoliates.

Spray Soleil uses only the best products, which have been tested on different skin types to ensure they provide the best tones of golden brown for your tan. Also, we customize your spray tan to ensure the perfect amount of the active ingredient, DHA, is applied for your skin tone. All in about 20 minutes or less!

How long will my spray tan last?

On average, your spray tan will last between 7 and 10 days. However, this time period depends on your skin’s natural exfoliation rate, as well as your skin care regimen. Moisturizing twice a day and avoiding abrasive skin care products will extend the life of your tan. Those who use tan extenders and self-tanners can have results that last up to 2 weeks!

What should I wear during my appointment?

Typically, people will wear undergarments or bikinis (we suggest wearing dark colors) to their appointment, but please wear whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.

Do I need to do anything to prepare for my appointment?

To ensure the best possible results, please remove (shave or wax) unwanted body hair roughly 8 hours before receiving your spray tan. Stubble is better than freshly shaved skin in order to avoid the spray tan solution getting into the hair follicles.

Members, call (352) 402-4350 to schedule your appointment for a Spray Soleil Tan today.