The Onstage Look

A dark tan enhances your physique, making it easier for the judges to assess your muscularity. There are a few tricks to achieving an even tan.

You can start with a tanning bed, but the advantage of the new dyes is that this harmful step is no longer necessary. The new stains that are available specifically for body building competition do not need to be applied to already tanned skin.

If using a tanning bed, don't forget your "hidden" parts. Tan in different positions (arms overhead, on back and on front, legs apart to get inner thighs) for an all-over tan.

Keeping shaved will result in a better tan. This also prevents skin rash later when the dye is applied. Dye on sensitive, newly shaved skin often causes a burning rash.

If you are hairy, use a trimmer or an electric razor to take off heaviest hair and do close work with a regular razor. Shaving creams for women are less drying that men's creams. If using Neet, do a patch test first!

Start using body moisturizers well before the contest date. Tanning products do not look good on dry, flaky skin.

There are basically two main ways to get yourself stage-ready with regards to tanning - A "home, self-application" or using a spray tanning service. Regardless of the option you choose, proper skin preparation is still highly important!

If using Dream Tan cream, avoid using the gold/bronze formula and stick with the red/brown (forumla #2)

Applying the Dye (self application):

Wednesday:

• Try not to shave now. Do final touch up with a razor as required.
• Exfoliate skin. Product will go on skin more smoothly if surface of dead cells is removed. The tanning lotions will blotch or leave uneven streaks if skin is dry. Slather on olive oil and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then soak in a bath and lightly scrub with a loofa. When dry, moisturize well. (Repeating this procedure after the contest will help remove most of the dye.) There are also bodybuilding products available which are designed to exfoliate skin.

Thursday:

• Plan on applying 3 coats of dye at intervals throughout the day. Do note that with many of the new dyes, it's not necessary to start applications until Thursday evening.
• Wear surgical gloves and apply dye evenly. Don't worry if the first coat streaks, subsequent coats will even it out. Knees and elbows get very dark, so go lightly there.
• Let first coat sit for two hours, then rinse to remove excess. It takes a while for the dye to dry, so don't get dressed too quickly. Moisturize later in the day and tan will look richer and smoother under the lights.
• Most people don't use any dye on their faces. If you do dye your face, go very lightly and don't apply to that area until Friday night. It is often better to use a bronzer for your face. There are good products for the face, Estee Lauder, Neutrogena, MAC (#45), JanTana makeup and Muscle Up all have excellent "for the face" dyes.
• Remember that a darker tan is achieved from many application, not thicker coats.

Friday:

• Repeat 2 or 3 applications of Friday.

Saturday:

• It is best to not shower on Saturday or too much dye will run off.
• Touch up tan if necessary.
• if using a "final" cream product with your tanning spray (such as Dream Tan or Final Touch) this is the day to apply it.
• If you feel you could still be darker or if your dye ran during the morning show, apply another coat early enough in the afternoon for it to be thoroughly dry before the Finals.
• For the pre-judging, no oil is allowed. Do moisturize skin to give a smooth look. Bain de Soleil #4 (comes in a tube) is good if applied lightly. There are also "posing oils" available at supplement stores and gyms, for the evening shows.

Using a Spray Tan Service:

Airbrush spray tanning is has really gained popularity as a solution to becoming stage-ready tanned. It is a quick solution that produces great results. Application can vary somewhat depending on product being used but generally the procedure is done the day before the show and in some cases, the day OF the show. Feel free to contact us regarding suggestions for local spraytanning services.

Week before show:

• Moisturize daily with a neutral moisturizer. Apply generously and knees, elbows, feet and hands.
• Avoid using self-tanning products! Certain ones can react with your tan and cause color issues

Thursday:

• Exfoliate well! Use something very neutral with no added perfumes.
• Do NOT use deodorant as it will raise your skins pH level and possibly turn you green! Also try to avoid perfumey soaps.
• Moisturize well with a neutral moisturizer. Apply generously and knees, elbows, feet and hands.

Friday:

• 1 or 2 spraytan applications will be applied this day.

Saturday:

• No NOT shower on Saturday or you will lose much of your color.
• Touch ups will be done if necessary.

[ Contest Rules & Regulations ]