Spray tan prep is not hard. You just do not want to wing it and then wonder why the color grabbed on your knees, faded off your wrist crease, or looked off in the wedding photos. Here is the actual playbook.
When to book around the event
- Two days before the event is the sweet spot — color peaks at 24–48 hours
- Three days before is fine if you want a slightly softer, more lived-in look
- Same day is too risky — barriers like deodorant, makeup, and water can streak it
- For weddings: book a trial 4–6 weeks ahead to confirm the shade you want, then the real one 2 days before
- For vacation: get it the day before you leave so the color is fresh when you land
The day before your tan
- Exfoliate fully — knees, elbows, ankles, wrists, and the back of your hands
- Shave or wax at least 24 hours ahead so the pores have closed
- Get any other beauty service (manicure, pedicure, brows, lashes) done first
- Skip body lotion the night before — it forms a barrier
- Drink water; dehydrated skin grabs unevenly
The day of your tan
- Shower and arrive with completely clean, dry skin — no deodorant, perfume, makeup, or moisturizer
- Bring loose, dark clothing to wear home (cotton sweatpants, an oversized t-shirt, slides)
- No bra wire pressing against your skin on the way home — wear a soft bra or none
- Skip the underwire and tight waistbands until your first rinse
After the spray and before the rinse
- Stay dry for the development time the tech tells you (typically 4–8 hours depending on the formula)
- Do not sweat — skip the gym, sauna, and any room that gets steamy
- No washing hands, no hand sanitizer, no spilling water down your arm
- Sleep in dark loose clothing on dark sheets the first night
- When you rinse, use lukewarm water and no soap on the body for the first wash — just rinse
How to make the color last past day five
- Moisturize once or twice a day starting after the first rinse
- Skip long hot baths and chlorinated pools — both strip color fast
- Pat dry after showers, never rub
- Avoid retinol, AHA, BHA, and exfoliating scrubs while the tan is on
- Do not shave with a brand-new razor — a couple uses old is better for the tan
Common things people mess up
Putting deodorant on right before the appointment — it reacts with the solution and turns green. Skip it; you can put it on at home after the rinse.
Shaving the morning of — the open follicles grab color and you end up with little dark dots. Always shave the day before.
Hand sanitizer mid-development — the alcohol bleaches the spot it touches. If you have to sanitize, do it on the back of your hand and immediately wipe with the towel we send home with you.