Sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine, as it helps protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause sunburn, skin aging, and skin cancer. There are two main types of sunscreen: physical sunscreen and chemical sunscreen. While both types of sunscreen serve the same purpose, they work in different ways and have some distinct differences. Physical sunscreen, also known as mineral sunscreen, contains active ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients work by sitting on top of the skin and physically blocking UV rays from penetrating the skin. Physical sunscreens are often preferred by people with sensitive skin, as they are less likely to cause irritation and are suitable for all skin types. They are also effective immediately upon application and do not need to be applied 20-30 minutes before sun exposure, as is the case with chemical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, contains active ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which work by absorbing UV rays and converting them into heat, which is then released from the skin. Chemical sunscreens must be applied 20-30 minutes before sun exposure in order to be fully effective. They are often preferred by people with oily skin, as they tend to feel lighter and less greasy than physical sunscreens. However, chemical sunscreens can be irritating for some people, especially those with sensitive skin. They may also be less effective for people with darker skin tones, as the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens can sometimes cause a white cast on the skin. There are pros and cons to both physical and chemical sunscreens, and the best choice for you will depend on your skin type and personal preferences. It is important to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and to reapply it every 2 hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating. It is also important to remember that sunscreen is just one part of a comprehensive sun protection plan, which should also include seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding being out in the sun during peak hours. Follow me on Instagram @mint_tans & FaceBook @Mint Tan

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the sun and other sources, such as tanning beds. There are three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA and UVB are the most common and can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere, while UVC is largely absorbed by the ozone layer. Exposure to UV radiation can have harmful effects on the skin, including sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the cells that produce pigment in the skin. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma can occur on any part of the body, but it is most commonly found on the legs and arms in women and on the head and neck in men. UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells, which can lead to the development of skin cancer. The risk of melanoma increases with prolonged and repeated exposure to UV radiation. Tanning beds, which emit UV radiation, have been linked to an increased risk of melanoma. To reduce the risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer, it is important to protect your skin from UV radiation. This can be done by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen with a high SPF. It is also important to avoid tanning beds and to check your skin regularly for any changes or abnormalities. If you notice any changes in the size, shape, color, or texture of a mole or other skin growth, you should consult a dermatologist. In conclusion, UV radiation is a leading cause of skin cancer, including melanoma. To reduce your ris k of skin cancer, it is important to protect your skin from UV radiation by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen. Avoiding tanning beds and regularly checking your skin for changes can also help reduce your risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer. If you are a sunless pro, I recommend taking the the Eyes on Cancer course to educate yourself, because we are in a position to save lives. We see our clients often, exposed, and areas they can't see for themselves, such as their back. Eyes on Cancer offers a short course on skin cancer which has helped me identify basal cell carcinoma in a client. GLOW BIG, or GO HOME! Follow me on Instagram @mint_tans & FaceBook @Mint Tan

Spray tanning has come a very long way! Orange tans can easily be avoided by working with an experienced and certified spray tan artist. Spray tanning is a popular method for achieving a tan without exposing your skin to the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun or a tanning bed. During spray tanning, a fine mist of DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a colorless sugar, is applied to the skin using an airbrush or handheld sprayer. When the DHA comes into contact with the skin, it reacts with the amino acids in the dead cells on the surface of the skin, creating a brownish color that mimics a natural tan. There are several benefits to spray tanning: No sun exposure: One of the main benefits of spray tanning is that it allows you to achieve a tan without exposing your skin to the damaging UV rays of the sun. Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer and can also cause premature aging, including wrinkles and age spots. By choosing spray tanning, you can enjoy the look of a tan without putting your skin at risk. Customizable color: With spray tanning, you can choose the shade of your tan to match your natural skin tone or to achieve a more dramatic look. This allows you to customize your tan to your preferences. Quick and convenient: Spray tanning is a quick and convenient way to achieve a tan. A spray tan session typically takes less than 20 minutes, and the tan will develop over the next few hours. You have options that allow you to wear the tanning solution for as little as an hour! You can rinse and get on with your day while your tan continues to develop over the next 20 hours without the risk of ruining your tan. Safe for all skin types: Spray tanning is a safe option for people with all skin types, including those with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema. No risk of skin damage: Unlike sun exposure or tanning bed use, spray tanning does not damage the skin. It does not cause sunburn or other types of skin irritation. Overall, spray tanning is a safe and convenient way to achieve a tan without exposing your skin to the damaging UV rays of the sun. It is a good option for those who want to enjoy the look of a tan without the risks associated with sun exposure. Follow me on Instagram @mint_tans & FaceBook @Mint Tan

I recently hosted a FaceBook live about how sunless pros (or other beauty business pros) can find their niche. This conversation led me to write this piece because I wanted to create a resource that others could reference or refer back to if they attended the Live. What exactly is a market niche? A niche is a smaller section of a larger market that's defined by the needs, wants and preferences of a specific target audience. For example, we have a large sunless industry, but within that industry there are companies and individuals that solely offer competition tanning for bodybuilders. So this makes competition tanning a niche market within the sunless industry. People may argue that a smaller market results in less revenue, etc., but this is far from the truth. We're going to dive into these details, as well as discuss how you can go about finding your own niche and growing your market. Some will argue that there are a lot of cons to being a niche market: fewer clients, smaller market, and less revenue. Let's dissect this and look through a different lens. When you cater to a niche market you are targeting specific customers. These customers are more likely to buy from you instead of the competition because you become an expert or specialist in this field. There's also less competition so you are no longer the small fish in a big pond -- you become a market leader. It's important to understand that niches do not exist on their own. Niches are created and curated based on smart and strategic marketing that targets a specific demographic or population. This is referred to as niche marketing, and it is critical to the success of creating and growing a desired niche market. Let's use bodybuilding spray tan brands as our example again. The biggest names in the industry are Liquid Sun Rayz, Jan Tana, and Pro Tan -- they are the market leaders and have little to no competition outside of each-other. They market to a specific customer and industry, bodybuilders and show promoters. As a result they have a monopoly on this market, and are able to charge higher prices for their specialized products, skillset, and expertise. They also have strong relationships and loyal clients, which contributes to growing a strong brand. Niche businesses are often high margin companies. They are more profitable because they focus their time and money on creating or stocking niche products rather than products that cater to every segment of the larger market. You will often see companies niche down when they are reinventing themselves, or rebranding. Here are a few sunless niches: Competition Tanning Aesthetic Sports Teams (Dance, Cheer, Synchronized Swim, etc.) Bridal Film & Production Models: catalog, editorial, parts, etc. Pageants People of Color: Black, Asian, Pacific Islanders, Hispanic, Indigenous, etc. In a nutshell, finding your niche requires identifying a specific customer base; identifying their needs and wants, as well as any existing problems. From there you will strategize to solve as many problems as necessary or possible. And with the combination of strong niche marketing, the right products, service and operation, you can create your own niche, or jump into an existing niche market with a strong game plan. If you found this blog useful, please like and share. I offer a course on Competition Tanning as well as Aesthetic Sports Team Tanning. My newest course covers high-volume tanning and operations that are applicable to any large group (Dance/Cheer teams, Sororities, Competition Tanning, etc.). I also teach you how to break into the dance and cheer world so you can start tanning FULL TEAMS, and earning upwards of $400+ per hour. Follow me on Instagram @mint_tans & FaceBook @Mint Tan

There's so much debate in the world of spray tanning regarding the marketing and the use word "organic". Kylie Rumball, a Sunless Tanning expert from SunFX, explains the misconception and clarifies what consumers and artists should seek when looking for the healthiest and most natural type of sunless tanning solution. "In reality, natural products aren’t necessarily organic [...] In the US for example, products that don’t carry a USDA Organic Seal only need to contain 70% organic ingredients in order to advertise themselves as an organic product. The remaining 30% of ingredients don’t even need to be natural – so they may consist of nearly a third synthetic materials". In virtually every TV ad break, you’ll probably hear the words ”organic”and “natural” used to sell a wide variety of different products. These adjectives are often applied to products to make them appear healthier – including foods of questionable nutritional value like high-calorie cereal bars or soft drinks. The unfortunate result is that many people now confuse the terms “organic”and “natural” for each other. In reality, natural products aren’t necessarily organic, and even products advertised as organic could contain a significant amount of unnatural ingredients. In the US for example, products that don’t carry a USDA Organic Seal only need to contain 70% organic ingredients in order to advertise themselves as an organic product. The remaining 30% of ingredients don’t even need to be natural – so they may consist of nearly a third synthetic materials. And thanks to confusing regulations in other territories, many products advertised as “organic” could be stretching the truth when it comes to some of their “organic” ingredients. So what’s the story with organic spray tans? Does this mean spray tans that claim to be organic may not actually be organic at all? FORGET ORGANIC. THINK NATURAL. While many spray tan products carry the words “organic” or “organically certified” on their packaging, in reality, there’s no such thing. And it’s not a case of those companies intentionally misleading their customers. Instead, the issue stems from a general lack of clarity as to what ingredients can reasonably be called organic. A great example of this is dihydroxyacetone (DHA) – a common active ingredient in many spray tanning products. DHA is manufactured from natural sources including – but not limited to – sugar beet and rapeseed. And while many spray tan producers consider this naturally-based DHA to be an organic ingredient, others do not. While Sunfx uses certified DHA derived from all-natural sources, we felt it was misleading to accurately list this active ingredient as organic. And even though the Australian Organic Standard requires only 95% of a product’s ingredients to be organic, we believe anything less than 100% is again misleading. What should I look for instead of “organic” spray tans? Rather than relying on “organic” labels, certification, or advertising claims, you should instead look for tanning products that are free from unnatural ingredients like: ● Alcohol ● Artificial perfumes ● Parabens ● Mineral oil ● Artificial preservatives Not only will this ensure your glow is as close to organic as possible, you’ll also avoid unwanted side-effects and unnecessary harm to the environment caused by chemicals in many spray tan products. source: https://sunfxamerica.com/natural-vs-organic-spray-tan/