Airbrush tanning systems:

This was the first technology used for spray tanning. All airbrush systems
have inherent problems due to the nature of the equipment. As far as
drawbacks go here are the primary concerns:

1) Since airbrush systems operate at a relatively high psi of 18-25 they
produce a significant amount of over spray. This results in cleaning issues
as well as breathing concerns. I recommend having a good ventilation system
and always having the client and the technician wear ear loop breathing
masks. Because more solution ends up in the air and not on the client these
system typically use more solution than well designed HVLP turbine systems,
so your hard cost per spray is slightly greater.

2) The airbrush tool produces a small circular pattern on the skin. This
results in a rather tedious process that takes longer to master. It also
results in a typical tanning session length of 20+ minutes. In this
business time is money and this spray session length effects labor costs and
maximum volume.

3) The experience for the client is not as good as with a turbine. It is
rather uncomfortable standing in place for this length of time while a cool
mist is sprayed over your body. In today's world quicker is better and the
faster someone can achieve a beautiful tan the better they like it.

Why HVLP Turbine Systems:

The technology that is quickly taking over the industry is HVLP (high volume
low pressure) turbine systems. This is not a "turbo" system but a true HVLP
turbine technology. Just like with any product there are different qualities
of turbines available. Since this industry is growing so quickly some
suppliers are trying to jump on the band wagon with poorly designed
equipment. Many of the turbines on the market are off-the-shelf equipment
originally designed to spray thick paints and stains. They have large
needles and apertures and tend to spray a coarse mist. They also operate at
a high psi (4-5) versus the preferred 1-3 psi. The results are still better
than what is available with airbrush technology but no where near the
quality that is possible with a properly designed system.
Your turbine system is the best designed unit currently available for spray
tanning at any price. Here are some of the benefits this system offers:

1) Minimal over spray. This system sprays a super fine mist at an incredibly
low psi of 1. This insures a soft spray that does not fog or result in
"bounce back". Bounce back occurs when using a system that requires a higher
psi (airbrush systems typically operate at 18-25 psi). The spray hits the
clients skin with a force that causes a certain portion of the mist to
bounce off the skin and into the surrounding room. Since our turbine
produces a very small amount of over spray, clean up is not a major issue,
neither the customer or the technician typically need to wear breathing
masks, and the equipment uses less solution per spray.

2) This system produces close to 100 cfm. This high volume of air combined
with the smallest needle and aperture in the industry results in 4 inch
elliptical pattern of extremely fine (atomized) mist. This larger pattern
and higher volume allows the typical full body spray to take less than 5
minutes. We have customers that spray 20 to 30 people during a busy evening.
The only way this is possible is with a very short spray time. Another
benefit of this super fine mist is that it penetrates past body hair much
better than the spray produced by an airbrush. When spraying men this can be
a huge plus.

3) The professional grade turbine motor is housed in a unique, stippled
gray, wheeled cabinet. The entire unit can be easily maneuvered from room to
room. Durable casters allow easy rolling on smooth or carpeted surfaces.
Water-resistant cabinet sides easily wipe clean, and will stylishly blend
with most any décor. Top mounted rails, and deep-set bottle holder, secure
supplies neatly in place for easy retrieval.

4) Exclusive sound muting housing permits quiet equipment operation in even
the most chic spas. This unit produces an operational volume that is only
62db at 3 feet! About as loud as a conversation. These systems are louder
than airbrush systems but this unit is the quietest unit I have found that
is powerful enough to hold up under constant use plus produce a totally
atomized mist. We have tested some units that are under powered and within

5) The spray gun itself is the best in the industry. All internal fluid
handling parts are made from the finest marine grade stainless steel
(tanning solution reacts to any metal other than stainless), eliminating
mechanical part failure. The special ABS handle is easy to grasp, compute
balanced and eliminates hand fatigue. For detailed work this gun can quickly
be adjusted to produce a small circular pattern about the size of a quarter.

These comparisons submitted by:
Robert Surface
Club Spray Tan