Frequently Asked Questions

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 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) =  7-10 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.  We can help combat this with a gradual lotion.

If you are tanning for an event like a wedding, photoshoot vacation etc.  We always recommend 1-3 days prior.  This ensures enough setting time as well as enough time to remove all cosmetic bronzing agent to avoid transfer onto clothing.

With an experienced technician who carries low quality solution.....maybe.  

At Dark & Devious....ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

It may seem like a relatively easy process, just spray, don't miss any spots and voila!  That's actually not the case at all.  Each skintone has an undertone.  Each spray tan solution also has an undertone as well as a concentration percentage of actives.  If this calculation is left up to someone not skilled in color theory and color science, then you are certainly at risk of turning not just orange, but in the wrong hands you can also turn yellow, gray or green!

Whatever you feel comfortable in!  We just ask you keep in mind that spray tan lines are very sharp and noticeable, if you're wearing a backless dress to an event, obviously tanning in a bra or bikini top is a no-no!  For first time clients, we do suggest to wear a thong or bottom, only due to the fact our tans are matched perfectly with your undertone, and without a line, sometimes it can appear as if you're not dark enough, even though you have significant color, but it looks like it belongs on our skin.

If you are doing a boudoir photoshoot, we do recommend that you tan nude.  We refuse to be a photographers worse nightmare and have them hide or edit out dreaded tan lines.  It makes it difficult for everyone.

So a thong, g-string, undies, bikini bottom, bandeau or your birthday suit...whatever you'd like!  We do also have tanning stickers free of charge.

Of course.  Men are always welcome, actually, about 40% of my clientele is men.  I've been tanning some of my same male clients for over a decade, and have still kept their little secret that they're regular spray tan clients ;)  I am also (proudly) the offical spray tan artist of the Fort McMurray Fire Dept Calendar!  Many start off tanning along with their wives or girlfriend and become addicted themselves.  We put just as much work into ensuring our male clients feel comfortable as we do our woman clients, so no need to be uncomfortable and question booking with us.

YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!  I'm always saddened by this question.  As someone who used to be nearly 300 lbs myself, I totally get wanting to ask this first to ensure you won't feel uncomfortable.  Spray tanning is for EVERY BODY!!!  If you're tanning for a special event or shoot and are worried about lines, I can absolutely ensure we get everything looking perfectly even without an area missed!

 Your spray tan artist will tell you how to position your body to make sure you receive an even natural-looking tan. Just follow their guidance to end up with a beautiful tan.  

Right away!  Our actual spray time is 3 minutes, then we follow that with a little drying powder and a quick peek into our LED mirror.  You are then completely good to get dressed in loose fitting clothing.

Nope.  The only product that has the ability to transfer is the water-soluable cosmetic bronzer used to give your that instant gratification.  That can most certainly wash out of your bedsheets.  However, white sheets over time can cause staining so best to have darker sheets if you're a repeat tanner.

 Kinda yes and kinda no.  Avoid the pool completely for the first 24 hours after your spray tan. After that, you’ll still want to splish-splash sparingly, as chlorine can cause your tan to fade faster than normal.  Not only can it fade you, but chlorine is a chemical that can cause itching.  If your skin is wet and therefore more supple and soft, any scratching can result in tan coming off.  

 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.  

 If you are using a spray solution with a cosmetic bronzer (water-soluble make-up), 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 bronzers transferring to clothing, we recommend you wear loose-fitting, darker clothes after your spray session.  Try to refrain from physical exertion that could result in your sweating until you shower and wash off the cosmetic bronzers.  All cosmetic bronzers used within our products are water-soluble. Therefore, in most cases, the color will come out of clothing in the wash.  It is however important to note bronzers may stain light hair, wool, spandex, lycra, silks or other fine fabrics.  If product comes into contact with hands or clothing rinse immediately. 

 No.  It is common to get a false sense of security when you have been spray tanned.  Your skin will still burn when overexposed.  It is still necessary to apply SPF lotions or sprays when in the sun.  Norvell solutions do NOT contain any SPF.   Now, with that being said, although is doesn't provide any SPF protection, it is common is burn less, simply because your base tone is now darker.  However, it's important to remember that sun damage doesn't need a burn in order to occur.

Here at Dark & Devious, we ensure all the products we use professionally and sell as retail are non-toxic, and utilize only the best, naturally derived DHA which has been vigorously tested before entering any of our formulation.   The reason this has ever been deemed as a question is because no formal medical studies have been preformed on pregnant woman.  Although DHA is technically a chemical additive, when dervived naturally and not created in lab, it's simply a derivative of sugar,most commonly, either sugar canes or beets.

Our solutions are:

• Paraben Free
• Gluten Free
• Sulfate Free
• Nut-Allergen Free
• Propylene Glycol Free
• Phthalates Free
• Synthetic Fragrance Free