FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
We love to educate our clients on how to tan effectively. Here are some quick Q&A's to common questions that we receive.
The application process is quick, easy, and available online HERE.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and enthusiastic about the tanning industry.
No prior salon experience is required (don't worry- we'll teach you everything you'll need to know!).
Once you have an account in our computer system (created with staff upon your first visit), you'll have access to both of our salons! Each location offers slightly different equipment, but the bed levels, pricing, staff, and ownership are shared.
We operate on a walk-in basis, so no appointments are necessary! With 30 beds between the two locations, there are plenty of options to choose from.
We have pricing options for every type of tanner! While memberships offer the most perks and the greatest value, we also offer Single Sessions & Packages. Click HERE for more info on our Package/Membership options.
SMART Tanning means that you aim to never, ever sunburn. Our staff have completed SMART Tan certifications, which includes how to conduct a Skin Type Analysis in order to best recommend your tan time schedule. Every tanner is different, and we put a high premium on you and your unique Skin Type.
Tanning lotion makes a HUGE difference in both tanning results, as well as preserving the quality and health of your skin. Using a professional tanning lotion (with ingredients that won’t harm your skin or our equipment) will save you time and money by expediting your results, making each tanning session more effective.
Moisturizing the skin immediately prior to your tanning session will open up your pores, allowing your skin to absorb the UV light and start producing color immediately. Dry skin reflects light, and will take about 7 minutes of sunlight exposure until it starts to tan.
UV light also pulls moisture from the skin, which can cause signs of premature aging. By creating a moisture barrier on the skin for the UV light to pull from, you’ll maintain the hydration of your skin, which will promote elasticity and youthfulness in the long term. All professional tanning products sold in our salons also contain anti-aging ingredients and technologies.
Outdoor tanning lotions, tanning oils, products containing Mineral Oil (or White Paraffin Oil), any product by the brand “Maui Babe”, aerosol/spray products (they turn the floor into an ice rink!) and regular OTC moisturizers can be harmful to our equipment, very difficult to clean, and may cause adverse reactions (such as heat rash) when used in a tanning bed. If you have questions about a product that we don’t sell in-store, please don’t hesitate to ask staff if it’s okay to use.
Ideally, we advise tanning at least 2-3 times per week for one month prior to your sunny trip, event, or the start of the summer months. Everyone’s skin is unique, which means some tanners will tan faster or slower than others. Upon your first visit, staff will recommend a starting tan time, which will be recorded on your tanning account by computer software. If you don’t experience any redness or sensitivity after each session, your next tan time may be gradually increased according to your Skin Type. Some sun is better than no sun when it comes to preventing sunburn, so try to plan ahead if you can!
Even with a base tan, we strongly recommend the use of sunscreen outdoors, particularly in situations where sunburn is imminent.
DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a sugar compound that comes from beets. This, along with erythrulose (a slower developing, longer lasting tanning agent) and other ingredients (green algae, etc) are evenly misted onto the skin, where the solution is absorbed by the epidermis. DHA reacts to the amino acids on the skin, oxidizes, and develops a bronze hue to the skin over several hours.
At Malibu Tan, we use the VersaPRO Sunless System, which are automated booths that apply the sunless solution for you. A voice guide walks you through 4 different poses, which will ensure that your whole body gets sprayed evenly. The process itself takes anywhere from 5-20 minutes, depending on which treatment you choose, and the color should last for 7-10 days, on average. As your skin cycles and dead skin cells are shed, your spray tan will fade.
We recommend that you shower, shave (anywhere that you usually do), and exfoliate your skin with a manual exfoliant (a loofah, wash cloth, etc) to ensure that you have a clean and even surface to work with. Come into the salon with bare skin, free of any lotions, oils, or deodorants (these can block the sunless solution from absorbing/developing properly), wearing dark, loose fitting clothing.
After your VersaPRO Sunless treatment, wait 4-12 hours until you shower, sweat, or wet the skin (staff will give you a more specific wait time, depending on your treatment).
To best maintain your sunless color, avoid heavily fragranced products, chlorinated water, and manual/chemical exfoliants (wash with your hands and a mild soap). Using a daily moisturizer will help prolong your spray tan, and help it to fade more evenly.
Clients under the age of 14 are not permitted to tan. If you're between 14-17, you'll need in-person parental consent at your first visit.
EFT stands for Electronic Funds Transfer, which is another way of saying “auto-debit”. These memberships will charge your card on the 1st of every month, and they come with a minimum commitment of either 3 or 6 full debits (months). After this point, memberships will continue to charge on a month-to-month basis, allowing you the flexibility to tan longer if you wish.
These plans are the most cost-effective way to tan at Malibu, granting you unlimited tanning, and they’re also the most flexible! You can freeze your membership for up to 12 months, unfreeze when you’re ready, and pick right up where you left off. You also get a mega discounted rate on single upgrades, free Monthly rewards, and the option to upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time.
Any modifications to your EFT membership, such as freezing, cancelling, or updating the card on file, must be done in person, before the 1st of the month.
