What to Do Before and After a Spray Tan: Essential Tips for Flawless Results (2024)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

Beauty may only be skin deep, but the best spray tan will boost your confidence. If you’re looking for a sun-kissed glow, knowing what to do before and after your spray tan is extremely important.

You’ll find some valuable tips on how to prepare your skin beforehand and maintain your tan, plus learn how to avoid some pitfalls in the process.

Following the expert guidelines will have you serving others with that radiant appearance and feeling free and in control of your looks.

Now, get ready to perfect the art of spray tanning and unleash your most vibrant self.

What to Do Before and After a Spray Tan?

Exfoliate 5-8 days before; exfoliate well. No lotions/oils at least a day in advance and shave/wax at least 12 hours in advance, if possible.

On the day of the application, wear loose, dark clothing; do not wear deodorant/makeup to the greatest extent possible.

After your tan is applied, wait 4-8 hours before showering and avoid sweating. Keep skin hydrated with gradual tanning lotions for glowing skin. Avoid excessive water exposure and scrubbing.

For the best color, get sprayed 1–2 days before an event. What you do the day before and the day after your spray tan is going to make all the difference in just how bronzed of a look you’re going to be left with.

Discover more tips to ensure your tan is flawless and long-lasting.

Pre-Tan Preparation

To achieve the perfect sun-kissed tan, it’s very important to prepare yourself for your planned spray tan. First, plan your appointment carefully so that both pre- and post-tan, you’ll be well prepared.

Exfoliate as best you can, but don’t do so right before the session. In a mild scrub or with dry brushing, look for ingredients that help in sloughing off dead skin cells. Moisturize well in your lead-up to your tan, paying extra attention to those dry areas.

Shave at least 12 hours beforehand to allow your skin time to calm down. Try and time your showering wherever possible to have a product-free rinse just before your appointment.

If you’re really into organics, search for gradual tanners with natural ingredients to help use in the lead-up.

Following these steps, you’ll have achieved the perfect canvas for a flawless tan that makes you feel so confident and absolutely radiant.

What to Do 5-8 Days Before

To prepare for your spray tan, start the process 5-8 days before your appointment. During this time, you’ll want to focus on exfoliating with a gentle scrub, hydrating your skin with lotion, dry brushing before showers, and planning your waxing and shaving schedule.

Exfoliate With a Gentle Scrub

Start 5-8 days before your appointment preparing your skin to be tanned. You can gently exfoliate dead skin cells by using sugar scrubs or dry brushing techniques. This puts your skin in a good position for a perfectly even application of tan.

Be sure not to over-exfoliate, as that may cause redness on the body.

After exfoliation, treat your skin with post-exfoliation care to ready it for the DHA found in self-tanner.

Hydrate With a Lotion

Immediately after exfoliating your skin, you should hydrate well before getting the spray tan. Apply a lotion that has ingredients rated for maximum hydration to start the skin preparation process for even tanning.

Be aware of the effects of body wash since these can strip away moisture. Be careful if you have sensitive skin while choosing a lotion.

This normally reduces, quite a bit, the rate at which tans will start to fade, so your glow will last longer.

Dry Brush Before Showering

Dry brushing is a game-changer for your pre-tan routine.

You’ll want to do this 5-8 days before your appointment, ideally before showering. It’s like giving your skin a mini-massage, boosting circulation and sloughing off dead cells.

Whether you do it before bed or the gym, just make sure it’s before you hop in the shower.

Follow your airbrush artist’s instructions for best results.

Wax at Least 24 Hours Before Appointment

Dry brushing is followed by hair removal. Waxing should be done at least 24 hours prior to your appointment for a spray tan. Here’s why:

1. Prevents irritation
2. Allows the pores to close
3. Reduces the risk of uneven tanning.
4. Ensures utmost absorption of the tanning solution

Don’t wax too frequently, though—listen to your salon. And do remember that the tanning bed isn’t the last resort. A Pro airbrush artist can get you looking resurrected for that perfect,Prefectly orange-free glow, leaving you feeling confident and very radiant.

Shave at Least 12 Hours Before Appointment

After waxing, it’s time to focus on shaving. You’ll want to shave at least 12 hours before your appointment. This timing allows your skin to settle and pores to close, reducing the risk of irritation.

Consider dry brushing beforehand to exfoliate and improve circulation.

If you prefer shaving over waxing, remember to exfoliate early and use a fresh razor for the smoothest results.

What to Do 24-12 Hours Before

Attention to the skin is paramount 24 to 12 hours prior to your spray tan. You want to avoid using oils or lotions after showering, but use oil-free lotion on dry areas of your body, such as elbows and knees; wear loose, comfortable clothes to avoid friction; and avoid any activity that may cause your body to sweat.

Avoid Applying Oil or Lotion After Showering

In the 24-12 hours before your spray tan, resist the urge to slather on your favorite lotion after showering. Oils and lotions create a barrier on your skin, preventing the tanning solution from penetrating evenly.

Instead, focus on keeping your skin clean and dry. If you’re worried about dry skin, consider using oil-free products sparingly.

Apply Oil-free Lotion to Dry Areas

Right out of the shower, take notice of those dry areas that seem to suck up more tanning solution.

Apply some light, oil-free lotion onto the elbows, knees, ankles, and feet. This ensures there will be no extra dark spots on your tan.

Tune into organic ingredients in lotions so they won’t affect your tan.

Keep in mind, a little goes a long way with skin preparation before the glow.

Wear Loose Clothing

After applying oil-free lotion to dry areas, it’s time to focus on your wardrobe.

Choose loose, dark clothing made from breathable fabric for comfortable wear. This prevents friction and potential damage to your developing tan.

Opt for flowy dresses, loose-fitting pants, or oversized t-shirts. Dark colors will help mask any initial color transfer, ensuring you’re prepared for your upcoming spray tan session.

Avoid Sweating

After loose clothing, try not to sweat in the few hours prior to your spray tan. Too much sweating will affect the development of the tanning solution on your skin.

Avoid intense workouts, saunas, or any other activities where you might sweat profusely.

Consider this precautionary measure to achieve a more uniform sunless tan without streaks, reduce the risk of premature fading, and avoid the dangers of UV rays from direct sun exposure or tanning beds.

Day of Tanning

There are some key things to do on the day of your spray tan. Avoid wearing a bra and sweating after your appointment; wait for the recommended time before taking a shower; and keep your skin hydrated by applying a gradual tanning lotion to enhance and prolong your glow.

Avoid Wearing a Bra

On the day of your spray tan, ditch the bra to avoid unwanted tan lines. Bra straps can create pesky marks, especially if you’re planning to wear a strapless dress.

Plus, going braless helps prevent back acne caused by trapped sweat.

Don’t worry about cleavage or nipple slips; your tanning technician has seen it all. Embrace the freedom and comfort for a flawless, even tan from head to toe.

Avoid Sweating After Appointment

Keep in mind that you should also not sweat after your spray tan. In addition to not wearing a bra, you won’t be wearing a sweaty body type either—you will need to avoid activities that will make you sweat.

Stay out of the sun and don’t have heavy workouts, but if you really do need to exercise, ensure that it’s light with good hydration and stretching afterwards.

Wear loose clothing to avoid excessive sweating and to maintain your newly sun-kissed glow.

Wait the Appropriate Time Before Showering

Before disappointment sets in, know that you won’t be able to shower right after your spray tan.

How long before you can take a shower—another important part of your tanning schedule—would be around 4-8 hours from the application. Allow your skin time to completely develop this tan.

When you do shower, use tepid water and avoid scrubbing. Gently pat yourself dry and check your skin for its condition.

As is often said, proper post-shower care is essential to maintaining that golden glow.

Hydrate With a Gradual Tanning Lotion

After waiting the right amount of time, it’s really important to hydrate your skin to keep your tan sustained. We love gradual tanning lotions, which prolong your glow. This one does double duty, with:

1. Moisturizing benefits for skin nourishment
2. Subtle color enhancing for a post-tan, all-over glow
3. Daily hydration for a prolonging effect of your tan
4. Streak-free application for an even finish

You will just love how this light, easy step has your skin looking sun-kissed and feeling silky.

Post-Tanning Care

Proper care will maintain your newly bronzed glow after a spray tan. Stay hydrated, use gradually developing tanning lotions, avoid excessive showering or pool time, and steer clear of scrubbing or exfoliating skin.

Hydrate Regularly to Prolong the Tan

Keeping the skin well hydrated after a spray tan allows the sun-kissed glow to last longer. Moisturizing became a major cumulative manual activity for the post-tanning stage of the process.

Apply a daily moisturizer after a spray tan to keep your skin hydrated and not dry. This very simple step can do wonders and really extend life to your tan.

Keep in mind that well-hydrated skin clings better to color, so adhere to a regular skin hydration schedule for best results.

Use a Gradual Tanning Lotion to Maintain the Tan

Further care for your already-bronzed body will be needed to keep that glow. Use a gradual tan-lotion daily and apply it all over the body, giving extra attention to areas that seem to fade faster than others.

This will hydrate your skin as well as extend the life of your tan. To have an even, natural-looking result, use a lotion with color that complements your skin type.

Apply this regularly to stay bronzed and beautiful between tanning sessions.

Avoid Excessive Showering or Pool Time

After your spray tan, resist the urge to spend too much time in water. Excessive showering or pool time can fade your tan faster than you’d like.

Limit your showers to quick rinses and avoid long soaks in the tub. If you’re hitting the pool, apply a waterproof sunscreen to create a barrier.

Avoid Scrubbing or Exfoliating

Avoid exfoliating and scrubbing, as both tend to be highly irritating to your skin. Such actions may alter the texture of your skin and lead to quick fading.

To achieve a long-lasting tan, adjust your skincare routine by using only very gentle, non-abrasive products. We recommend pH-balanced body washes and oil-free moisturizers—specifically post-tan care.

Remember: the more gently you treat your newly bronzed skin, the better and longer you’ll maintain that sun-kissed glow.

Additional Tips for Longevity

To maintain your spray tan’s longevity, exfoliate every few days and moisturize daily with a gentle, oil-free lotion. For special events, schedule your spray tan 1-2 days in advance to allow the color to fully develop and settle, ensuring you’ll look your best when it matters most.

Exfoliate Every Couple of Days and Moisturize Daily

To keep your spray tan looking fresh, exfoliate every 2-3 days and moisturize daily. This routine helps maintain an even tone and extends your tan’s lifespan. Here’s what you need to know:

• Use a gentle exfoliator to avoid stripping your tan
• Apply an oil-free moisturizer to combat skin dryness
• Focus on areas prone to fading, like hands and feet

Get Sprayed 1-2 Days Before an Event

While you continue to moisturize daily, more careful planning of the timing of your spray tanning will be involved for any events.

Schedule an appointment 1-2 days in advance. This allows the perfect amount of time for your tan to develop and for some of that initial color to settle so that you look your absolute best while providing a little buffer if touchups are necessary.

Keep in mind that a spray tan will last anywhere from 5-12 days on average.

Organic Fake Tans

When opting for an organic fake tan, you’ll want to look for formulas that use natural ingredients like sugar-derived DHA and hydrating elements such as hyaluronic acid and aloe. While the spray tan itself may not be certified organic, you can still choose products with more natural components to achieve a healthier glow.

Distinguishing Factors in Organic Fake Tans

When considering organic fake tans, you’ll find key differences from synthetic options. The sugar source impacts the tan’s quality, with organic sugars like beets offering eco-friendly alternatives.

Natural ingredients provide added benefits for your skin. While certifications aren’t common for spray tans, they can indicate higher standards.

Ingredients to Look for in Organic Fake Tans

Look for natural ingredients in your spray tans when choosing organic fake tans. Go with formulae that contain organic DHA from sugar beets or cane sugar instead.

Be drawn to vegan spray tan alternatives that are rich in hydrating components, such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. Such natural spray tan ingredients not only nourish your skin but also give you an even, long-lasting color.

Keep in mind that only some organic spray tan options have been certified, but they can still be a healthier alternative to traditional formulations.

Pre-Spray Tan Preparation

To prepare for spray tan, make sure to exfoliate dryer areas like hands, feet, and ankles. Don’t use lotions, waxes, or go to the spa beforehand. You should arrive in dark, loose clothing and nail polish. Avoid using perfumes, deodorant, and make-up.

Exfoliate Dry Areas

While the organic ones are very attractive, proper exfoliation is necessary for any spray tan.

Pay additional attention to dry skin areas like elbows, knees, and ankles. The techniques of gentle exfoliation will help you avoid hurting your skin.

Natural exfoliants like sugar scrubs or dry brushing really do their job. You don’t need to overdo it; 3-5 days before is best.

This prepping step ensures your tan will be even and long-lasting.

Avoid Moisturizers, Waxing, and Spa Treatments

After exfoliating, you’ll want to steer clear of certain products and treatments.

Don’t apply moisturizers, as they can create a barrier on your skin, preventing the tanning solution from absorbing evenly.

Skip waxing or other spa treatments, including body scrubs and exfoliation, for at least 24 hours before your appointment. These can irritate your skin and affect the tan’s outcome.

Wear Dark, Loose-fitting Clothes

When prepping for your spray tan, choose dark, loose-fitting clothes. These garments won’t cling to your freshly tanned skin, allowing it to breathe and develop evenly.

Opt for full coverage with loose fabrics that won’t rub off your tan. Dark colors prevent any visible staining if the solution transfers.

You’ll feel comfortable during and after your session, ensuring your tan sets perfectly without any unwanted marks or smudges.

Wear Nail Polish

Once you’re prepping for your spray tan, it can’t go unnoticed that your nails might need some love as well. It sounds weird, but trust me, pre-coloring your nails before the appointment makes so much sense.

It does two things—protects them from discoloration and leaves a really nice finish. Choose a color to match the newly bronzed skin or consider long-lasting gel polish for durability.

In case you aren’t sure about matching, then just go for a neutral color that’s going to suit any level of tan really well.

Avoid Perfumes, Deodorant, and Makeup

It’s recommended that you refrain from using perfumes, deodorants, and makeup before applying your spray. These are things that end up being a barrier on the skin and will have your tan looking super uneven. Here is what you need to know before :

1. Skip your usual fragrance routine
2. Hold off on applying deodorant
3. Remove all makeup, which includes foundation and concealer.
4. Avoid Using Scented Body Care Products

During and Post-Spray Tan Care

During your spray tan session, you’ll want to get naked or wear disposable undergarments and follow your technician’s instructions carefully. After your tan, wait at least 4 hours before bathing or sweating, and maintain your glow by moisturizing daily with an oil-free lotion.

Instructions During the Spray Tan Session

Now that you’ve prepped your skin, it’s time for the main event.

During your spray tan session, strip down or wear disposable undergarments. Remove jewelry and don a hair cap to protect your locks.

Your technician will apply a primer and barrier cream to rough areas. Don’t forget to wear protective gear for your face and feet.

Relax and let the magic happen!

Post-spray Tan Care Tips and Myths

After your spray tan, you’ll want to maintain that sun-kissed glow. Here are some post-spray care tips to keep you looking fabulous:

• Moisturize daily with an oil-free lotion
• Avoid excessive showering or pool time
• Don’t exfoliate for at least 5 days
• Use gradual tanning products to maintain color

Contrary to myths, modern spray tans won’t leave you orange or streaky. Just follow these tips, and you’ll rock that golden glow for days!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)