If you know me, you know I don’t just love a bargain—I love a system that actually works. Back in 2020, when the world shut down and Iowa tanning salons went dark, I didn’t just sit around and let my glow fade. I went into full “Wannabe Expert” mode. I spent months researching how to replicate professional booth results at home, and in the process, I learned the deep chemistry of what’s actually happening to our skin.

As I always say: If you can’t tone it, tan it! Today, I’m breaking down the Sun Tan City experience with the science you won’t commonly hear at the kiosk.

Privacy First: The Booth Advantage

Before we get into the tech, let’s talk modesty. I see the results of individual custom spray boutiques, and they are amazing, but let’s be real—not everyone wants to stand naked in front of a stranger.

At Sun Tan City, your session is 100% private. You are in a locked room, it’s just you and the machine, and you don’t have to show a soul your “birthday suit” to get a professional result. If you’re super modest, STC is absolutely your path to a flawless glow.

Is It Fruit? The “Sweet” Science of DHA

You might have heard that spray tan solution is “made of fruit,” and you’re actually on the right track!

The active ingredient, DHA (Dihydroxyacetone), is a simple 3-carbon sugar derived from sugar beets and sugar cane. But the real “fruit” magic in the Malibu formula is Erythrulose, naturally derived from red raspberries.

• DHA is the sprinter: It browns you fast via the Maillard Reaction (the same science that browns a steak or toasts bread!). Because your skin’s amino acid “recipe” is unique, the color is unique to you. It’s a custom-tinted chemical reaction.
• Erythrulose is the marathon runner: It develops slower (over 48 hours), making your tan last longer and ensuring a natural, even fade.

The Hydration Layer: The Anti-Aging “Top Coat”

Don’t you dare skip the Hydration Spray at the end of your session! It isn’t just “wet air.” It’s a skin-nourishing treatment cocktail of Grapeseed Oil, Green Tea, Ginger Root, and Hyaluronic Acid.

This pass lowers the skin’s surface tension, “sealing” the DHA so it doesn’t rub off on your car seat. Plus, the peptides provide an anti-aging boost that blurs fine lines. It ensures your tan stays flexible and fades smoothly rather than looking like a parched desert after three days.

Choose Your Level: The STC Strength Guide

Pro-Tip: The “Double Legs” Option

Do your legs always fade faster? Me too. Select “Double Legs” at the kiosk. The machine will do an extra pass on your legs to compensate for shaving and friction.

⚠️ The Malibu Warning: “Crazy Pants” Phase

Clear is NOT an option with the Malibu formula. It uses a heavy violet-based bronzer indicator. When you walk out of that booth, you are going to look a little “crazy pants”—dark, muddy, and maybe a bit purple. DON’T PANIC. That is just the indicator. It will wash off in your first shower, leaving a gorgeous bronze underneath.

Why Primers & Lotions are Non-Negotiable

“Orange” tans are usually a pH issue. If your skin is too alkaline (from harsh soaps), the DHA turns ginger.

• Designer Skin Sunless Primer: This balances your pH so you turn brown, not carrot. It’s the “Velcro” that helps the color stick.
• Shore Love Double Dip Lotion: My holy grail for “Double Dipping” (UV + Spray). It warms the skin and opens your pores so the solution sinks in deeper.

The “Golden Rule”: No Showers for 8 Hours!

Do NOT get wet for at least 8 hours. No showers, no rain, and no heavy-duty yard work. I learned the yard work lesson the hard way—sweat is essentially acid to a developing tan and will etch white drip marks into your legs.

Lauren’s Shower Secrets & The PH Hack

• The Feminine Wash Hack: Most body washes are too alkaline. Summer’s Eve Spa Wash is a spray-tanner’s best friend because it’s specifically formulated to be pH-balanced.
• The Blacklist: Skip the Bath & Body Works and avoid Mineral Oil or Alcohol. Instead, use the Hempz Body Lotion Line after your first shower; it’s incredibly hydrating and tan-friendly.
• The Prep: A good shave is mandatory. The Billie Razor is the actual best. Pair it with a sugar scrub 24 hours before your session.

The “TSA” Choreography: Mastering the 4 Poses

1. Pose 1 (The Front): Feet wide, arms up in a “Y.” Spread your fingers! 2. Pose 2 (Right Side): The side-scan. One arm up, one arm slightly back.
2. Pose 3 (The Back): Stick your backside out slightly (the “duck” pose) to avoid “smile lines” under the glutes.
3. Pose 4 (Left Side): Mirror image of Pose 2.

💡 Little-Known Pro Tips

• Stand on a Towel: Keeps the soles of your feet from turning brown.
• The Powder Trick: Use Mega Babe “Bust Dust” in your elbow and knee creases post-tan to stop the smudge.
• Pro Essentials: Shop all my spray tan essentials here (nose plugs, hair nets, etc.).
• The Expert Brand: Shoutout to Norvell—they have a whole line dedicated to pre and post-sunless care.

The Healthy Strategy

Combining Red Light Therapy with a spray tan is the ultimate anti-aging hack. You get the glow while the red light works on your collagen.

Ready to glow? Join my community and stay in the loop. Also stay tuned for my next post on at-home maintenance in between STC appointments!

PS- did you know? Your first spray tan is ALWAYS free at STC. Check out more from the company here