FAQ
Everything you wanted to ask.
Prep, aftercare, the science, the awkward questions — the most-asked spray tan questions on the internet, answered the way we'd tell a friend.
Section 01
Before your appointment
Shave and exfoliate 24 hours before — not the day of. Arrive with clean, product-free skin: no lotion, deodorant, makeup, perfume, or oils. The cleaner the canvas, the more even the color.
Loose, dark clothing and flip-flops or slides. Avoid tight waistbands, leggings, or anything that rubs. We provide disposables — wear whatever (or nothing) makes you most comfortable.
Shave 24 hours before, wax 48 hours before. Hair removal afterward will lift color and shorten your tan. If you have to shave during your tan, use a fresh razor and a gentle, sulfate-free shave cream.
Yes — completely safe and totally normal. Most people don't even mention it.
Most OBs are fine with topical DHA after the first trimester, but we always recommend clearing it with your doctor first. We use a barrier mask, ventilate the room, and can leave the chest area lighter if you're breastfeeding.
Section 02
During
Plan on 20–30 minutes door to door. The spray itself takes about 10–15 minutes — the rest is consult, prep, and drying.
Your call — whatever feels right. Most clients go nude or in a thong for full coverage and crisp lines. We're fully professional and you'll never feel exposed.
Not when it's mixed for you. We custom-blend every formula to your undertone — cool, neutral, or warm — so the result reads as sun, not bronzer. Orange tans come from one-size-fits-all solutions, not custom airbrush.
Section 03
Rinsing + first wash
Classic rinses in 8–12 hours and develops slowly to a deeper finish. Express rinses in 1–4 hours — pick your depth by your rinse time (1hr = light, 2hr = medium, 4hr = deep). Lukewarm water until it runs clear, then pat dry.
The brown that rinses off is cosmetic bronzer (a guide color so we can see where we sprayed). Your real tan is the DHA developing underneath, and it keeps deepening for 24 hours after the rinse. Don't panic — the color is just getting started.
No water, no sweat, no tight clothes until you rinse. That means no workouts, no rain runs, no hot yoga, and no falling asleep with a damp glass against your skin. After the rinse, you're free.
Section 04
Aftercare + longevity
Seven to ten days with proper aftercare. Moisturize daily with a sulfate-free, oil-free lotion, take quick lukewarm showers, and skip the bath salts and exfoliating scrubs.
Avoid: AHAs, BHAs, retinol on tanned skin, exfoliating scrubs, bar soap, anything with sulfates or alcohol, and oil-based body products. Use: gentle pH-balanced body wash, fragrance-free moisturizer, and a gradual tan extender every 2–3 days.
Chlorine, salt water, and hot tubs will fade your tan faster — sometimes dramatically. Rinse immediately after, pat dry, and reapply moisturizer. Saltwater is gentler than chlorine but neither is your friend.
When you're ready to refresh, exfoliate in long even strokes with a gentle scrub or mitt, take a hot shower, and apply baby oil for 20 minutes before rinsing. The tan will lift evenly instead of patchy.
Section 05
Skin, safety, ingredients
Our solutions are vegan, paraben-free, and use DHA — an FDA-approved sugar derivative that reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin to create color. No UV, no melanin damage, no bake.
Our formulas are non-comedogenic and oil-free. Most clients see zero breakouts. If you're acne-prone, double-cleanse your face the night you rinse and avoid heavy oils for 24 hours.
Yes — DHA is safe over tattoos and on sensitive skin. We always patch-test if you're worried, and we have a gentler formula for eczema-prone skin. Tattoos will look slightly darker temporarily and fade back to normal.
Section 06
Logistics
For weddings, 3–6 months out for peak season (May–October) — see our bridal packages. For vacations, book 2–3 days before you fly so it's set before the flight. For events, 1–2 days before is the sweet spot.
24 hours' notice for studio appointments, 48 hours for mobile and bridal. Late cancels are billed 50%. We travel across the entire North Shore + Middlesex County + Boston — beyond a 20-mile radius incurs a small travel fee, quoted up front.
Still curious
Question we didn't answer?
Reach out — Larissa answers every message personally, usually within a day.