I abhor the sun. I mean, I give it props for lighting the world and everything, but its cancer-causing rays really bother me. I do enough damage to my body on my own, thank you very much, I don’t need any help from an ever-present orb in the sky. As a former lifeguard, my 25-year-old skin has already begun to show the effects of two decades of sun (and, yes, tanning-bed) worshipping. I’ve already had a much- too-close-for-comfort call with an itty-bitty place on my back; I’ll shy away from the glorious sunbathing that used to mark my summers and those fabulous days of fake-baking that helped me through the long Kansas winters.

However, my skin, in its natural state, is just one shade darker than White-Out. This is only attractive if you are A) Edward Cullen, B) Katy Perry, or C) Powder. So I turn to sunless tanning to make it so my legs don’t blind the elderly and scare small children. The days are over that one must spend a fortune on lotions and potions that stain your hands and ruin your clothes. And you no longer need to fear the spray-tan booths that make you appear like an Oompa-Loompa, a la David Schwimmer on Friends. Read on for the best of the best in faux tanning in ICT:

• Bahama Mamas (several Wichita and suburban locations) offers one of the most competitively priced spray-tans and easy-to-use spray tan booths around. They offer three levels of tan, and the prices increase for each level.
• At The Beach also offers the Mistiq-Tan technology that Bahama Mamas employs.
• X-Treme Tanning is the place to go for you die-hard West-Siders – their location at Central and Maize is now up and fully operational, ready to spray paint your body into summer shape. This option is ideal for those that like their tan with a little privacy; it’s just you, a little towel, and a hairnet in the booth. I’ve always gotten a Level 2, and I’ve always been completely satisfied. The steps are clearly laid out, and after a quick towel-dry, you’re good to go!
• Caribbean Sun offered one of the first airbrush tanning services in Wichita, and has continued to excel in this area. They have 15 technicians at four locations, which almost guarantees someone will be available to spray your bod, and you can wear as little or as much as you’d like. This is a personal preference and the technicians have seen it all, so forget those tan lines!
• My personal favorite for personal attention is SunScape Tanning. While this salon only employs one technician, she is truly an artist, and can even spray you a few abs if you happen to be lacking in that general area! Again, clothing (or swimsuit) is optional, and the results are nearly instant. After cooling your jets in front of some fans for a few minutes, your newly tanned self can brave your shorts in style.

Many spas and salons also offer this service – who did I miss? Let me know in the comments!

(Image Credit)

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