Your Glow Guide

DHA, or Dihydroxyacetone, is derived from sugar. It is the active tanning ingredient used in self tanners and spray tanning formulas and was approved by the FDA for external use on the body in 1977.

DHA interacts with amino acids on the top layer of the skin, producing a browning effect that typically lasts 7 to 10 days. Once applied, DHA takes a full 8 hours to develop. During development, it’s important to avoid water exposure and heavy perspiration.

The effects of DHA naturally fade as dead skin cells shed. It typically takes 7 to 10 days for the browning effect to fully disappear. Younger skin may shed the tan faster, closer to 7 days, while mature skin may retain color closer to 10 days. Using a gritty scrub or exfoliating mitt can help lift dead skin cells and fade the tan more quickly.

When used as recommended, South Seas products are formulated to create a natural-looking, beach-ready glow. To help avoid an orange or overly faux appearance, avoid over-application and apply the product evenly. Since DHA reacts with amino acids on the top layer of the skin, there is a limit to how much color can develop with repeated application.

A sunless tan allows you to achieve beautiful, tanned-looking skin without UV exposure. However, DHA does not replace sunscreen and should not be relied on for sun protection. We always recommend applying SPF daily to help protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays.

Give our office a call and chat with a live representative. We’re happy to share application tips and tricks to help you achieve your best South Seas glow.

The shelf life of South Seas products varies by product. On the back of the bottle, look for a symbol that looks like an open jar. The number inside the symbol indicates how many months the product is recommended for use after opening.

After selecting a product, you can find the ingredient list under the product photo in the “Additional Information” section.

We recommend the following protocol during pregnancy and breastfeeding:

• Check with your doctor first.
• Avoid spray tanning and self tanners during your first trimester.
• When spray tanning or using self tanners after delivery, avoid application on the chest.

All tanning formulas take a full 8 hours to develop and stop developing at 8 hours. When using Tahitian Natural Tan Solution or Lava Tan Solution, clients can rinse at 8 hours or leave the solution on until their next shower.

When using Fiji Express Tan Solution, clients should rinse in 2 hours for results similar to Tahitian Tan Solution or 3 hours for results similar to Lava Tan Solution. Fiji Express will not reveal its final result after the first shower. After rinsing, the tan will continue to develop until the full 8-hour development period is complete.

If you would like to turn Tahitian Natural Tan Solution or Lava Tan Solution into a rapid-rinse formula similar to Fiji Express Tan Solution, please call our office for guidance at 970-461-9200.

The effects of DHA naturally fade as dead skin cells shed. It typically takes 7 to 10 days for the browning effect to fully disappear. Younger skin may shed the tan faster, closer to 7 days, while mature skin may retain color closer to 10 days. Using a gritty scrub or exfoliating mitt can help lift dead skin cells and fade the tan more quickly.

Avoid overapplication and apply the solution evenly so your clients achieve their desired results. When spraying 4 to 6 inches away from the body and 8 to 10 inches away from the face, hands, and feet, we recommend using 1 to 2 ounces per tan. Less is always more on fair complexions.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 970-461-9200. We want you to feel confident in your spray tan application.

Yes. SPF should always be recommended to help protect the skin from sunburn and UVA/UVB exposure. Spray tanning solutions and self tanners do not contain SPF and should not be used as sun protection. Coral SPF 30 Lotion is a beautiful pairing with a spray tan because it does not strip the tan or leave a white cast behind.

When using an HVLP tanning system, spray 4 to 6 inches away from the body and 8 to 10 inches away from the face, hands, and feet. For an everyday client, no more than 1 to 2 ounces should be applied. More than 2 ounces may be used if your client is seeking a darker result for an on-stage event, such as dance, fitness, or bodybuilding competition.

The tanning solutions have a 6-month shelf-life symbol on their labels but they can last up to 2 years!  Opened or unopened, the "cosmetic bronzer" (or FD&C colors) in tanning solution starts to oxidize between 6-9 months.  (This is part of the natural aging process of tanning solution.)  The cosmetic bronzer is comprised of FD&C colors, and when FD&C colors start to oxidize their coloring shifts. Fortunately, the tanning solution isn’t "bad" or cannot be used when the cosmetic bronzer shifts!  When the coloring shifts, the Bali Bronzer Drops (cosmetic bronzer additive) can be added to help restore any brown-tones that have shifted from the oxidization process.  

South Seas tanning solutions have a 6-month shelf life symbol on their labels, but the DHA can last up to 2 years from purchase. Opened or unopened, the cosmetic bronzer, or FD&C colors, in tanning solution may begin to oxidize between 6 and 9 months. This is part of the natural aging process of tanning solution.

The cosmetic bronzer is made with FD&C colors, and when those colors begin to oxidize, the guide color may shift. Fortunately, this does not mean the tanning solution has gone bad or cannot be used. If the guide color shifts, Bali Bronzer Drops, our cosmetic bronzer additive, can be added to help restore brown tones that may have shifted during the oxidation process.

DHA, or Dihydroxyacetone, is the active tanning ingredient that creates the lasting 7 to 10 day browning effect on the skin. DHA is clear and colorless, which is why FD&C colors are added to tanning solutions as a cosmetic guide color, helping you see where you are applying the spray tan. Around 6 months, the cosmetic bronzer may begin to oxidize and show an olive undertone over time. Because the cosmetic bronzer rinses off in the first shower, it will not leave a lasting olive hue on the skin.

If a client prefers to sleep in their spray tan, slight rub-off from the cosmetic bronzer, or FD&C colors within the tanning solution, may occur. If rub-off occurs on sheets or clothing, use a cold rinse cycle in the washing machine.

Yes. The solutions can be mixed, and we recommend starting with a 50/50 ratio. Please call our office so we can help you find the right mix for your clientele.

We recommend the following protocol for clients who are pregnant or breastfeeding:

• Have your client check with their doctor first.
• Avoid spray tanning clients during their first trimester.
• After delivery, have clients wear a bikini top to cover the chest area due to breastfeeding.

Your order will be processed and shipped within 1 business day following its submission. Orders placed Friday after 1 PM Central or over the weekend will be processed on Monday.

Orders are not shipped on the following holidays:

Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Day, December 25
New Year’s Eve, December 31
New Year’s Day, January 1
Easter
Memorial Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Thanksgiving

Please keep an eye out for our email blasts for any updates to our shipping policies. If you’re looking for express shipping options or need your package to arrive on a specific day, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 970-461-9200.

We use FedEx and USPS. Once your package is in transit, the shipping carrier will do its best to deliver without delays. However, storms, holidays, and other carrier-related issues may cause delays of 1 to 3 business days.

For domestic and international orders, most packages over 3 lbs., are shipped with FedEx. For domestic orders under 3 lbs., packages may be shipped with USPS.

Shipping costs are based on the weight, dimensions, and destination of the package. If you are a business, such as a salon or spa, you may be able to avoid residential surcharges by shipping to a business address.

Many businesses build shipping costs into their product pricing so they can offer free shipping. We do not add shipping costs into our product prices. We do offer free shipping days throughout the year, which usually fall around holidays. Please don’t hesitate to call us to find out when our next free shipping day is.

All orders ship from Oklahoma. If you’re located in Oklahoma or a surrounding state, please allow approximately 1 to 2 business days for your shipment to arrive. If you’re located farther away, please allow approximately 3 to 4 business days.

Your order will be processed and shipped within 1 business day following payment. Orders received Friday after 12 PM Central through Sunday will be processed on Monday.

FedEx Continental U.S.
Ground: 2 to 5 business days
2Day: 2 business days, not including the day you ordered
Overnight: 1 business day, not including the day you ordered

United States Postal Service
First Class: 3 to 7 business days
Priority Flat Rate Padded Envelope: 2 to 3 business days
Priority Mail: 2 to 3 business days

Please note that the information above is an estimate and does not include delays that may occur due to storms, holidays, or carrier-related issues. Please keep an eye on the tracking number provided in your emailed order confirmation. If your order ships via FedEx Ground or USPS, your shipment may experience a delivery delay of 1 to 2 days.

We currently do not ship to PO Boxes or APO addresses through our website. If a physical address is unavailable, please call our office at 970-461-9200 to set up an order that ships to your PO Box or APO address.

Yes. To find out if we can ship to your international address, please email info@southseasskincare.com. In your email, include the items and quantities you’re interested in, along with your shipping address. We will respond with an international shipping quote and draft invoice for your review.

When an order is placed through our website, you’ll receive an email confirming your order. Within 24 hours, you’ll receive an additional email from FedEx or USPS notifying you of your tracking number. Once this email is received, the tracking number will go live after its first scan from the shipping carrier.

If you need to cancel or modify an order after it has been submitted, please contact us by email at info@southseasskincare.com or by phone at 970-461-9200 within 30 minutes of order submission.

Please contact us as soon as possible so we can help facilitate updating your order to the correct address. Please note that once an order is in transit, South Seas cannot guarantee that the address can be updated. South Seas is not responsible for orders where the shipping address was entered incorrectly by the customer.

Once your order has been returned to our shipping department, we will reach out to you by email and phone to confirm the correct shipping address and arrange reshipment.