Spray-on tanning is all the

rage these days. Not only has it recently been mentioned in magazines

for both men and women, but it perhaps reached the apex of its popularity

a few weeks ago when the process appeared on an episode of "Friends."

Though Sunkiss Studios in Fayetteville

has had a Mystic Tan Spray Booth for close to a year now, owner Marlese

Bogacki has definitely seen a rise in its use recently.

The process involves a person

disrobing and entering the booth. After pressing a button, a mist made

up of a bronzer, DHA (dihydroxyacetone) and aloe vera, which makes up

65 percent of the solution, is sprayed evenly on the body. After the first

wave stops, the person turns around and gets sprayed on the other side

of their body. The spray process lasts less than 60 seconds. One can see

instant results and the tan will darken over the next few hours. The tan

lasts approximately five days and customers can choose one of two levels

of tan.

The process has many benefits,

chief among them being no UV or sunlight exposure. Bogacki states that

the booth has many repeat customers but that it is also popular among

people who want a tan for a specific reason. The store was recently inundated

with girls hoping for a quick and even tan before a homecoming dance.

She has also seen brides, pageant contestants and pregnant women use the

booth.

The spray-on tan booth is not

exclusively for women either. While staff was interviewed for this story,

two men got spray-on tans.

Patrons are asked to watch

a video before they get their first spray-on tan. The video walks the

viewer through the process. Before entering the booth, patrons are asked

to wear a hairnet, booties (unless they want their feet tan) and a barrier

creme on their cuticles and palms. The creme prevents any of the mist

solution from sticking to those parts of the body.

Many people who come for a

spray-on tan have several misconceptions. The most popular one is that

the solution will turn their skin orange. Bogacki explains that this is

not true. There is also nothing in the solution that is harmful should

any get in your eyes or mouth, though most people close their eyes and

don't breathe for the 14-18 seconds when the mist is being sprayed.

"It is completely safe

and it looks like you just spent a week on the beach, minus the red or

dry skin and the peeling," said Bogacki.

Sunkiss Studios is located

next to Right on Thyme in Fayetteville. They are open seven days a week

and have a number of different tanning packages available. Phone 770-719-1933

or more information.

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