Prep & aftercare
The part that decides how good your tan looks.
A spray tan develops in the top layer of your skin, so it can only look as even as the surface it lands on. Prep is not admin — it is most of the result.
One to two days before
- Exfoliate 48 hours before, and again the night before, with a non-oil-based product
- Focus on rough areas: elbows, knees, ankles, heels and underarms
- Shave 12 to 24 hours before. If you wax, do it 24 to 48 hours before
- Moisturise dry areas the night before, avoiding oil-based lotions
The day of your appointment
- Shower no sooner than three hours before. Cleanse thoroughly and use an exfoliating mitt
- Pat dry, then apply no lotion, oil, deodorant or perfume
- Wear loose, dark clothing — avoid tight bras, leggings and sneakers
- Bring or wear flip-flops or open-toe shoes
Immediately after
- Let your skin dry completely before dressing
- Loose, dark clothing and open-toe shoes
- Stay completely dry until it is time to rinse — no showers, no sweating, no water
- If you tanned at night, wear long sleeves and trousers to bed
Your first shower
Original solutions: wait at least 8 hours. Rapid solutions: rinse in 3 to 7 hours depending on how deep you want the colour. Both keep developing after that first rinse.
- Warm water only — no soap, shampoo or loofah
- Rinse until the water runs clear
- Pat dry. Never rub
The next 7 to 10 days
- Moisturise once or twice daily with fragrance-free, sulfate-free products
- Use gentle, sulfate-free body washes only
- Avoid hot water, baths, saunas and steam rooms
- Always pat your skin dry
What to avoid
Products: bar soaps, oil-based products, exfoliants, sulfate body washes, alcohol-based toners, acne treatments, perfumed lotions, and waxing after your tan.
Activities: pools, hot tubs, saltwater, heavy exercise, tight clothing, rough towel-drying, excessive hand-washing and repeatedly touching your skin.
Text 615-428-0746 and ask. Rinsing an original solution on a rapid timeline is the single most common way a good tan gets cut short.
Common questions
What do I wear during the appointment?
As much or as little as you are comfortable in. Disposable undergarments are provided if you would like them.
How do I prepare for a spray tan?
Exfoliate 48 hours before and again the night before, using a non-oil-based product. Shave 12 to 24 hours ahead, or wax 24 to 48 hours ahead. On the day, shower no sooner than 3 hours before your appointment, then apply no lotion, oil, deodorant or perfume.
Do I shave before or after?
Before — 12 to 24 hours ahead. Shaving after a tan exfoliates the colour straight off. If you wax, do it 24 to 48 hours ahead.
Why does prep matter so much?
A spray tan develops in the top layer of skin, so it can only look as even as the surface it lands on. Dead skin, product residue and dry patches absorb colour unevenly — which is what causes patchiness around elbows, knees, ankles and hands.
What do I wear afterwards?
Loose, dark clothing and open-toe shoes or flip-flops. Avoid tight bras, leggings and sneakers until after you rinse — anything tight can rub the colour while it develops.
How long do I wait before showering?
It depends on your solution. Original solutions need at least 8 hours before the first rinse. Rapid solutions rinse in 3 to 7 hours depending on how deep you want the colour. Both keep developing after that first rinse. Use warm water only, no soap or loofah, rinse until the water runs clear, then pat dry rather than rubbing.
How long will my tan last?
Typically 7 to 10 days with proper aftercare. Moisturise once or twice daily with a fragrance-free, sulfate-free product and avoid exfoliating products to get the full range.
What shortens a spray tan?
Hot water, baths, saunas, steam rooms, pools, hot tubs, saltwater, heavy exercise, bar soaps, oil-based products, sulfate body washes, alcohol-based toners, acne treatments and waxing.
What is a rapid solution?
A rapid solution develops faster, rinsing in 3 to 7 hours depending on how deep you want the result, versus at least 8 hours for an original solution. Both continue developing after the rinse.
Ready to look sun-kissed, not spray-tanned?
Book the Brentwood studio, or text your ZIP code and date to ask about a mobile appointment.