Hi Geeks

A quick question, if you patch test a person with a spray tan solution (usually dab a cotton bud with the solution at the back of ear) what exactly happens if they are allergic? What should I expect to see? I have patch tested 100s and no one has ever reacted, but, going to do one later on a girl who is allegic to everything and would like to know what to expect - would it be a rash, spots, itching?

Thanks
Jan

Hi Jan...hows you

Well lets hope you will see nothing but if an individual does have a reaction it very much depends on how severe their reaction is ....it can be anything from a slight red rash developing or red spots like chicken pox.

Normally given the small area involved there is not to much discomfort to the individual should they have a reaction.....if they do simply apply something like Savlon to help sooth and heal

HTH and that the weather down in Cork is better for you than it is up here in Aberdeen

hi

not sure if this will help you but i had a lady who was allergic to evrything ins make up moisturiser perfume deoderant etc i done a patch test and all was fine so went ahead and done the tan next time and it was absolutely fine. I asked her what happens if she was allergic and she said her allergies get really bad her skin swells up and blisters really bad but i reckon she is probably more of a worst case scenario. The client should be able to tell you what she may expect to happen if she was allergic. hth xx

It really depends on what it is they are allergic to. With spray tans it usually is as a result of the colourants or the added fragrance in most cases. This will mostly likely cause itching and a rash. Washing off the colour guide usually does the trick.

Liz

Just be really cautious here - actually is someone is allergic to a lot of things, it really doesn't matter how much of a product is applied, whether it be a tiny amount or a large amount - if the reaction is systemic, the consequences could be dire. Someone displaying a localised reaction initially can also (not often), develop into a full blown systemic reaction.

Really not wishing to scare monger - but if a client is genuinely 'allergic' to a large amount of things - really I would not be advising a spray tan - even with a patch test. Sensitivity is a different issue.

Also worth noting - the reaction could increase each time - so just because the individual is ok first time, does not mean subsequent times they will be.

If you have a client allergic to everything as you say - DO NOT SPRAY HER! PATCH TEST OR NOT. Take it from a medical professional.