Prep & Aftercare

Proper preparation and aftercare are crucial to a good spray tan! 

Follow these instructions:

Pre-Tan Preparation:

  • The day or night before your tanning session, exfoliate using soap or a body wash and either nylon exfoliating gloves or a washcloth. Make sure you scrub your entire body gently, but well, for a good exfoliation and removal of any soap residue.  Please don't use loofas, as they can make you streaky.

  • Do any shaving the day or night before your tanning session. If you tan too soon after shaving, your pores are wide open and you may get little dots on the shaved area. Waxing should be done at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment.

  • The day of your session, shower using either a non-moisturizing translucent body wash. Do NOT use a moisturizing soap or body wash (especially Dove) before you tan. It is best to shower between 4 and 12 hours before your appointment.

  • Products that I particularly like are Dr. Bronners, Beessential, and Puracy, but any clear body wash will do. (Check out my Blog post on Recommended Products.)

  • Be sure to wash off any hair conditioner residue from your body with soap so that it doesn’t create a barrier.

  • If your appointment is later in the day, you may need to take a quick shower beforehand, using a clear body wash to remove any sweat and oils from the day. Do not do a water only rinse at this time. It is important to use a body wash to get any oils off of your body before being sprayed. While it is best to shower more than 4 hours before your appointment, if you must shower within 4 hours, take only a quick shower with soap and warm (not hot) water.

  • Skin should be clean and dry before being sprayed. Don’t apply moisturizers, oils, perfume, or makeup before your tanning appointment, as they can effect tan development.  (A small amount of anti-perspirant is ok, though, and even preferable in warm weather.)

  • Please schedule any massage appointments for at least 48 hours before your appointment to ensure that the oils do not create a barrier to the spray tanning solution.

  • Don't use any anti-aging products like Retin-A on your skin for at least 3 days before your appointment.

  • Wear dark, loose, easily cleaned clothing, and loose footwear like slippers or flip flops to your appointment.  (Wool, lycra, nylon, spandex, silk, rayon, and leather may stain.)  Long, loose pajama or sweat pants or a long skirt are better than shorts. Bring an old swimsuit or undergarment to tan in.  We have disposable panties, and clients may tan topless or nude, if preferred. 

  • Style hair in a hairclip or ponytail so it will be off of your face and neck.

  • You will not be able to get wet or sweaty for 8-12 hours for a Regular Spray Tan, and between 2-4 hours for the Express Tan – so please plan accordingly.

  • Bring a towel to cover leather or light colored seats.

  • If it is raining or snowing (or there is even a chance of it,) bring an umbrella and proper outerwear. If you get rained or snowed on, you will streak or spot.

  • PLEASE NOTE: If you have had a sunburn within several weeks of your appointment, there is a significant risk that your skin will peel. If you schedule a spray tan within a month of having gotten a sunburn, you take full responsibility for any negative results.

After-Tan Care:

  • Wear loose fitting clothing until your first shower, while your tan develops, and be very careful not to get wet.

  • Don’t exercise heavily or get sweaty, for the first 12-24 hours, until your tan is fully developed.  

  • Your first shower should be a water-only rinse.  Please use your hands to gently wash off any excess bronzer, so that it will develop evenly.  Use warm water, and rinse well for about 5 minutes, making sure not to miss your ears and neck. If you look streaky after your shower, it means you haven’t rinsed well enough and need to get back in the shower and rinse again, making sure to use your hands to get the excess bronzer off of your body. Do not use any lotion after your water rinse.

  • You will only have a little bit of color after your first rinse, but the full color will develop over 12-24 hours.

  • After 24 hours, take a full shower using a mild shower gel or body wash, preferably moisturizing. (like Dr. Bronners, Beesential, Shea Moisture, Puracy, etc., but most others are fine too.) Do NOT use Dove soap, or anything that says "renewing," "regenerating," "anti-aging," or "anti-acne"!  They have ingredients in them that will remove your tan.  Sulfate-free and natural products are best.

  • Use your hands gently, and you will see the remainder of the excess bronzer going down the drain. Color wash off in the shower is normal: this is only the color guide bronzer.  Your tan will continue to develop over the next 12 to 24 hours.

  • Pat (don’t rub) skin dry.

  • Apply a moisturizer or body butter to shower damp skin.  (NOT Curel or Dove – these can ruin tans!)  A few good choices would be Shea Moisture, CeraVe, Lubriderm, Vanicream, or Hempz, and some people prefer pure Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, or Cocoa Butter.  Some spray tanning establishments advise against Aveeno, but I have people who swear by it and have used it for years. The best moisturizer is one that you will actually use!

  • Apply moisturizer twice a day for longer lasting results. (after showering and before bed) 

  • If you'd like, you can use a tan extending lotion every day or every other day, but be sure to wash your hands and then use a makeup sponge to lotion the tops them so that the palms and fingers don't turn orange. 

  • Avoid exfoliating skin while you have your spray tan.  Do not use a loofah or scrub your skin.  Some products can cause faster fading – bar soaps, products with sulfates, alcohol based products such as toners and astringents, products that cause exfoliation such as AHAs, BHAs, Retin-A, etc. (anti-aging, anti-acne, regenerating, renewing)  Make sure that when you shave, you do so gently with a sharp razor (new is better than a dull one) to avoid exfoliating skin.  Use either body wash or hair conditioner instead of harsher shaving gels or creams. 

  • Hot tubs, swimming pools, and even extended time in the ocean will take off your tan.  If you plan on doing any swimming, apply a waterproof sunblock, and only take quick dips.  If a hot tub is definitely in your plans, a spray tan may not be advisable for you, at this time.

    If you have any questions, please ask!