Everybody wants a tan. It looks good, it feels good, it turns heads. The problem is that a lot of the time a tan involves lying for extended periods in the sun, which is often unaffordable – either financially, since in the UK you’ll probably have to travel abroad to find useful quantities of sunlight, or in terms of health, as concern about the harmful effects of ultraviolet light is rising year on year. Even the traditional sunbed has its critics, on the grounds that artificial UV light is still UV light and, unless carefully managed, has the same risks as the sun. One alternative to these UV solutions to the desire to bronze are spray tanning booths.

Spray tanning has been around a while, and is simple in its concept. Instead of lying under a source of UV light – whether the sun or an array of electric bulbs – chemical compounds are sprayed onto the skin which give a similar visual effect. It’s important to realise that these are not dyes or paints; instead, a chemical reaction takes place between the spray and the layer of dead skin on the surface or your body. The ‘tan’ typically lasts a week or so and will gradually fade. The sprays are available for use at home and can be administered yourself. The problem is that, unless you are a contortionist, or have someone who knows what they’re doing and knows you very well, that it’s difficult to spray yourself evenly all over. Result: a tan that looks like you’ve done it yourself, imperfectly, which is more or less accurate. The solution? Spray tanning booths.

Spray tanning booths provide an even spray, removing the concern for streaks or odd colouration (everyone has seen photos of celebrities with obviously fake orange tans...). The process is quick and easy, and simply involves stepping into the booth and being sprayed with the tanning compound – without any unnecessary contortion.

There are two types of such booth, manual and automatic. In a manual booth, a trained member of staff will do the spraying for you with a high-speed airbrush. Sunbed hire companies often provide training for staff along with the booth. Alternatively, the process may be completely automated. These booths do not even require an operator. Carefully positioned nozzles disperse the spray evenly and accurately, giving you a perfect all-over tan in little more than a few minutes. Dual booths are also available, meaning that companies can switch between manual and automatic operation depending on customer requirements and staffing levels. The units are often equipped with self-cleaning capabilities, and will wash themselves down after a certain number of uses.

The sprays should come mixed with additional products, such as moisturiser, to protect the skin, and often vitamins, to nourish it. What they don’t tend to contain is sunblock – since this is a chemical reaction rather than a paint or dye, that component would wash off. Spray tanning therefore does not provide any protection against sunburn, something clients need to be aware of.

Spray tanning booths are a useful addition to any salon with suntan equipment. Some clients who want a tan effect will be unwilling to expose themselves to UV light, either because they are concerned about the potentially harmful long-term effects, or because their skin type will not tolerate UV light without burning, even a sunbed (such as type 1 skintype clients). A manual or automatic spray booth caters for the requirements of these clients cheaply and easily.