The Mystic Tan

What is a Mystic Tan?
The Mystic Tan is a spray-on tan that many tanning salons offer as an alternative to traditional ultraviolet (UV) beds. Instead of lying down in a bed, tanners stand in a booth and tanning chemicals are sprayed onto their bodies.

The Mystic Tan was created in response to evidence that UV tanning increases the risk of skin cancer. Additionally, the Mystic Tan requires only one session, as opposed to the 5-10 required for traditional UV tanning.

How Long Does The Tan Last?
The Mystic Tan lasts for approximately two weeks. I decided to get a Mystic Tan because I wanted to be tan for a particular event, so tan didn't necessarily need to last long. The Mystic Tan is ideal for people who don't have the time to go to a tanning both several times a week, but want to be tan for a particular occasion, such as a wedding, party, or summer outing. Another benefit of the Mystic Tan is that one session lasts less than a minute, as opposed to 5-20 for UV tanning.

How Much Does It Cost?
The Mystic Tan costs approximately $15-$25 per session, depending on the salon and the packages that they offer. The Mystic Tan is more expensive than traditional tanning because fewer sessions are required to achieve a tan.

What To Expect
When you go for your Mystic Tan, you will take off all of your clothing and enter a large booth-- similar to a stall shower. You'll cover your hair with a shower cap to prevent the chemicals from touching your hair. The tanning salon staff should tell you how to work the machine and should answer any questions you may have. You have the option of using bronzer, which will make the tan appear immediately. If you do not use bronzer, you will still get a tan.

When you are ready, you press a button to start the machine. You then close your eyes and your mouth (holding your breath will help you avoid inhaling the fumes) and the spray starts a few seconds after you press the button.

If it's your first time, the spray will startle you. It certainly startled me and gave me an incredible urge to urinate. Be prepared for this sensation.

Stand with your legs slightly apart and your arms away from your body. Stand for about 15 seconds while the front of your body is sprayed, and then turn around for the back of your body to be sprayed. The session is over in less than a minute. Your entire body will be wet when you get out of the stall. You can pat yourself dry with the towels they offer you, and this will not remove the tan.

The tan will develop within a few hours. You might not notice any immediate difference in your skin color. Do not wear white or light colors on the day that you get the tan, as the chemicals could rub off on your clothing.

Better Or Worse Than UV Tanning?
In my opinion, the Mystic Tan is not a pleasant experience. The chemicals smell, it's extremely uncomfortable, and it's messy. I don't think I would get a Mystic Tan again, unless I really wanted to be tan for a particular event without having to make repeated visits to the tanning bed. Despite the unpleasant experience in the booth, the resulting tan does look like a real tan-- at least it did for me. Depending on your skin coloring, the tan could have orange tones in it. It obviously will not look as natural as a real tan from the sun or a tan from a UV bed, but it can still look very good. Once again, it all depends on your natural skin coloring.

I do not recommend the Mystic Tan for people who are extremely active in terms of exercise. I go running almost everyday, and sweating caused the tan to rub off. My tan lasted only a week as opposed to two weeks because I was sweating so much through exercise. Additionally, it makes a mess when your sweat has an orange hue.

Given the known risks associated with UV tanning, the Mystic Tan is certainly worth a try.