How to Prep for Your Spray Tan (and Make It Last)

The number one question I get before a first appointment: "What am I supposed to do before?" Good news — it's simple. A little prep the day before is the difference between a tan that fades patchy in four days and one that glows for over a week.

The day before

Exfoliate. This is the big one. Your tan lives on the top layer of your skin, so you want that layer fresh and even. Use a scrub or exfoliating mitt in the shower and pay extra attention to elbows, knees, ankles, and anywhere your skin runs dry.

Shave or wax at least 24 hours before your appointment — not the same day. Freshly shaved skin can be a little sensitive, and waxing right before can leave pores open, which shows up as tiny dark dots.

Skip the heavy lotion after your last shower. Moisturizer, oils, deodorant, and perfume all create a barrier between your skin and the solution. Come to your appointment with clean, product-free skin.

What to wear

Loose, dark, and comfy. Think a flowy dress or oversized tee and loose pants — nothing tight, no bra straps digging in, no leggings. Tight clothes rub the solution while it develops and can leave lines.

During the tan itself, wear whatever makes you comfortable. Most clients go with a dark swimsuit or undergarments they don't mind getting solution on (it washes out, but dark is safest).

After your tan

Stay dry until your first rinse — no shower, no sweaty workout, no dishes, no rain if you can help it. Water is the enemy while your color develops.

If you chose a rapid tan, you'll rinse in 1–4 hours depending on how deep you want to go (I'll tell you your exact time before you leave). Original formula develops over 8–12 hours, so most clients sleep in it and rinse in the morning.

Your first rinse is lukewarm water only — no soap, no scrubbing. You'll see bronzer wash off; that's normal, that's just the cosmetic layer. Your real tan is underneath and keeps deepening over the next day.

After that: moisturize every single day. Hydrated skin holds color. Pat dry after showers instead of rubbing, and go easy on long hot baths and chlorine — both fade a tan fast.

The short version

Exfoliate the day before, arrive with clean skin, wear loose dark clothes, stay dry until your rinse, and moisturize daily. That's it. Do those five things and your tan will thank you.

Questions before your appointment? Text or call me — I'd rather answer a "silly" question than have you guess.