numbersThe Fitzpatrick Skin type scale is a numerical classification, which determines human skin color based on the skins untanned (from UV exposure) natural pigmentation, and your genetic makeup.

The skin can be classified into 6 groups. This covers all known skin tone ranges.

This scale is used within dermatology as a standard classification for patient skin typing.

 

 

To determine your skin type, you can take an online test here.

Whats My Skintype Quiz

Click HERE

 

As a Spray Tanning technician most of your clients will be Types 1-4. Though some darker skinned clients may request sunless tans to even out tan lines, or to provide a warmer tone to the skin coloration.

Though sunless tanning products do not stimulate the skins pigment, the depth of skin color can affect the way a sunless tans coloration will develop and fade.

DHA produces a tan that is a sheer golden brown color on the skin surface. It allows the skins natural pigment color to show through, which will meld with the DHA tan, and create the final tan color one sees.

The final coloration and tone is from a combination of the specific solution ingredients, solution DHA depth, amount of product applied, your clients individual skin tone, and the way their skin individually reacts to each ingredient within that blend.

If the clients skin pigment is very light, and the DHA tan is very dark in contrast,  you will often experience an increased chance of orange tans, or those which appear to fade faster or more crackly and broken looking.

DHA Percentages are listed numerically. The lower number are lighter in coloration depth, the higher numbers are darker.  A rough rule of thumb, is to use lower numbers on light skin tones, and higher numbers on dark skin tones.

Professional Sunless spray solutions usually range from 5%-20%.  The most popular ranges in the USA market for most clients, tend the be the medium ranges of 8%,9% and 10%.

But your geographic location, clientele skin types, and client preferences will dictate the products that are the most popular in your location.

DHA to start with:

The best prevention of Orange tones is to first use the recommended DHA percent based on that client’s skin type, and  product recommendations from the manufacturer of the blend used.

If unsure which level to use, go lighter. It easier to apply a bit more product 24 hours later to darken a “to light” tan. Its more difficult to remove an over dark or orange tan.

A guide for the DHA Levels of Tampa Bay Tan solutions and the skin type match recommendation, can be downloaded for your use from the link below.

Downloadable Skin type and best DHA Level when using Tampa Bay Tan Solutions.

Click HERE

 

If your client normally turns orange easily, use the lower DHA recommended for their skintype, or  switch to a lighter blend, or adjusting their shower off time to a shorter time frame to lighten tan depth.

For a client that wants to be darker, assuming their skin type will allow it; use a higher DHA level or have them leave the product on a bit longer before showering.

Some blends may also develop lighter or darker, even with the same rough DHA range, due to other ingredients in the blend and how to react with the clients unique skin, and adjust color development.

Next posting I will address Application amounts and skin preparation, and how this can cause orange tones……….     Vicki