How should clients prepare their skin for a tanning session?

Preparing the skin for a tanning session involves several important steps to ensure an even and long-lasting tan. Exfoliating the skin prior to tanning is crucial because it removes dead skin cells, allowing the tanning solution to adhere better to the skin and resulting in a smoother and more uniform appearance. This practice minimizes patchiness that can occur when dead skin is present, as the tanner can cling to these dead skin cells unevenly.

Applying a barrier cream, particularly to areas of the body that are prone to developing a darker shade, such as elbows, knees, and ankles, further supports an even tan. The barrier cream helps prevent those areas from absorbing too much of the tanning product, which can otherwise lead to an undesired darker coloration compared to the rest of the body.

In contrast, using lotion or cream prior to tanning may not provide the same beneficial effects that exfoliating and using barrier cream offers. Additionally, avoiding hydration before tanning is not advisable, as hydrated skin tends to absorb the tanning solution more effectively, leading to better results. Lastly, shaving immediately before tanning can cause skin sensitivity and irritation, which is not ideal prior to applying a tanning product. Therefore, the combination of exfoliating and applying a barrier cream is the most effective way to