TRACY GOUGH
Gough’s initial vision included owning
multiple locations of After Dark Organic
Airbrush Tanning salons, but funding was
an issue. “Banks don’t typically like to
hand over loans to a 20-year-old with no
business experience,” she says. Then she
came up with the idea of making her busi-
ness mobile. It took two years before she
fully embraced the concept; four years into
running After Dark, she committed herself
to making her business strictly mobile and
expanding its service areas.
Along the way, Gough made another
important decision. “I finally figured out
that any airbrush solution purchased
wholesale wasn’t going to do the trick,”
she says. “I had to be innovative if I want-
ed the perfect color and to achieve the best
techniques.”
Gough was originally trained while
working for a major tanning company at
the start of her career. “When I created
After Dark, I wanted to take the extra
measures in getting certified completely,”
she says. “I’ve done training classes
through high-end tanning companies like
Norvell and Aviva, while still doing per-
sonal research on all the latest trends in
the airbrush tanning world.”
It is no secret that spending hours in the
sun or a tanning bed is not the best thing
for your skin. “I think people really started
to detour from tanning beds and the sun
after the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services issued a surgeon general’s
warning call of action on skin cancer,”
Gough says. “It stated that skin cancer was
on the rise and that it could be attributed
to the estimated rise in indoor tanning.”
Gough says that with After Dark, she is
able to provide a safe, organic alternative.
“Our mixtures are made up of water,
sugar/sugar cane, green tea extract,
Vitamin E, wheat, oat, soy, some herbs
and aloe, along with perfumes to help
coat the smell,” she says.
After Dark also can customize its
services to each client’s needs. “Since
we’re mixing the color on location, our
artists are well aware of how the client’s
skin will react and look
once the airbrush tan is
applied,” Gough says. “I
myself have very sensitive
skin and a lot of allergies,
so I was very picky when
searching and creating my
solution.’’
Before any solution is
applied, the client must
also sign a waiver listing
any medical conditions,
Gough in a client’s home
allergies or illnesses. “Most
people will notify us in
advance if they have severe allergies or
be done 48 hours before the tan, and
skin conditions,” she says. “If someone
that no lotions or moisturizers should be
has a lot of allergies, we may recommend
applied beforehand, as this can block
a skin test, where one of our artists will
the solution from being absorbed fully.
come and dab a small section of an ankle
She says After Dark tans last up to 10
or wrist with the solution to see if there is
days if taken care of properly, with the
any reaction before proceeding with a full
color most vivid the first four days. She
body tan.
recommends making an appointment a
“I’m proud to say that After Dark has
day or two before a big event or vacation.
never had any complaints of adverse skin
“Clients initially schedule through our
reactions to our airbrush solution,” says
website or email, since there is a lot of
Gough.
information we need to obtain,” she says.
“During the booking, we ask all clients to
review our process page to know how to
“We have our basic colors — light,
prepare for their tan, what to expect
medium or dark — but we won’t mix the
during the appointment and how to keep it
solution until we are on location and can
lasting afterwards. We are usually in and
analyze the client’s skin tone,” says
out in about 30 minutes or less.”
Gough. “Our artists not only mix the color,
“After eight hours, you can hop in the
but explain how and why we’re mixing
shower, rinse off the residue and go back
the tones to help the client understand the
to doing what you normally do,” Gough
process.”
says. “You can work out, relax in a hot
After Dark keeps clients’ information on
tub, go to the beach — whatever you
file, so any artist coming to an appoint-
desire.”
ment can use the same color, or easily
tone it up or down. The airbrush is
available in full- or half-body.
“Right now, we’re in the beginning
Preparing for an airbrush tan is a lot
stages of starting our product line,” Gough
simpler than most people assume.
says. “We are starting off with a body
“Exfoliating is the most important thing to
scrub, a body wash, and a body lotion —
do before your tan,” Gough says. “When
which of course will be all-natural.”
you exfoliate, you’re removing dead skin
“We are also planning our self-tanners
and preparing a fresh new layer that helps
and tan extenders, which will come a little
the airbrush be absorbed evenly. This also
while later, but will be well worth the
makes it last longer and fade much more
wait,” she adds. “I don’t think we will be
naturally.”
seeing any store locations anytime soon,
Gough also notes that waxing, facials
but who knows? The sky is certainly the
and other skin or body treatments should
limit!” ❖
(201) HEALTH 2019 EDITION
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