Prep Instructions and Aftercare
The Glow Is in Your Hands
Prep matters - especially what you do the day before your appointment. A little intention goes a long way, and we’ll guide you through it.
Prep for Your Tan
The Day Before Your Appointment
This is the most important part of prep and makes the biggest difference in how your tan develops and fades.
Exfoliate
Use an exfoliating mitt, dry brush or nylon mesh cloth 24 hours before your appointment. You can purchase these items to pick up before your appointment.
Use an exfoliating mitt, dry brush or nylon mesh cloth 24 hours before your appointment. You can purchase these items to pick up before your appointment.
Shave
Shave at least 24 hours before using a razor without a moisture strip.
Shave at least 24 hours before using a razor without a moisture strip.
Don't Moisturize
Skip moisturizer after exfoliating before your tan.
Skip moisturizer after exfoliating before your tan.
Other services
Waxing, facials, massages, lashes, or nails should be 24+ hours before your tan. These services will remove your spray tan so do not schedule them after your tan.
Waxing, facials, massages, lashes, or nails should be 24+ hours before your tan. These services will remove your spray tan so do not schedule them after your tan.
Avoid bar soaps and heavy, residue-leaving body washes (Dove, Dial, Olay, Bath & Body Works, and others listed below) before your tan, as they can interfere with color development. If you have peeling skin, sunburn, or fresh tattoos, wait until the skin is healed before tanning. See below for brands to avoid.
If you’re short on time: If you weren't able to exfoliate 24 hours before, arrive a few minutes early and use one of our exfoliating mitts (available in-studio for $6) for a quick refresh before we spray.
Nice but not required: If you have time a couple days before your appointment to hydrate well and moisturize daily, that’s helpful - but the day-before prep is what truly matters most.
Day of Your Tan
Shower
If possible, skip showering. If you do shower, keep it quick and water-only at least 4 hours before your appointment.
If possible, skip showering. If you do shower, keep it quick and water-only at least 4 hours before your appointment.
No products
Arrive with clean, dry skin - no lotion, deodorant, perfume, oils, or makeup.
Arrive with clean, dry skin - no lotion, deodorant, perfume, oils, or makeup.
What to wear - during and after
Wear whatever you’re comfortable in during your service. We provide complimentary disposable thongs, bras and pasties. You can wear your own bikini, or underwear but know that they will get spray tan solution on them. After your tan, change into loose, dark clothing and flip flops. Avoid tight clothing until after your first rinse - so NO leggings, socks, shoes, clothing with tight cuffs. If you are concerned about lines, plan to go braless if you can. Anything tight or that rubs the skin after your tan and before your first rinse will rub off your tan.
Wear whatever you’re comfortable in during your service. We provide complimentary disposable thongs, bras and pasties. You can wear your own bikini, or underwear but know that they will get spray tan solution on them. After your tan, change into loose, dark clothing and flip flops. Avoid tight clothing until after your first rinse - so NO leggings, socks, shoes, clothing with tight cuffs. If you are concerned about lines, plan to go braless if you can. Anything tight or that rubs the skin after your tan and before your first rinse will rub off your tan.
What to Expect From Your Tan
Before you rinse
Avoid skin to skin contact before you rinse. Avoid getting water, moisturizer, makeup or anything else on your skin to avoid transfer or uneven spots. If you sleep in your tan before rinsing, wear long sleeves and long pants to avoid skin-on-skin contact. You might feel a little sticky or tacky before your rinse depending on the solution used. This is normal and will improve after you rinse off the bronzer.
Avoid skin to skin contact before you rinse. Avoid getting water, moisturizer, makeup or anything else on your skin to avoid transfer or uneven spots. If you sleep in your tan before rinsing, wear long sleeves and long pants to avoid skin-on-skin contact. You might feel a little sticky or tacky before your rinse depending on the solution used. This is normal and will improve after you rinse off the bronzer.
First rinse
During your first rinse: Use lukewarm water only and your hands to gently rub the bronzer off your body. No washcloths, loofahs, or soap yet. It may look like your tan washed away - that’s just the cosmetic bronzer (color guide) rinsing off. Your actual tan is still developing underneath.
During your first rinse: Use lukewarm water only and your hands to gently rub the bronzer off your body. No washcloths, loofahs, or soap yet. It may look like your tan washed away - that’s just the cosmetic bronzer (color guide) rinsing off. Your actual tan is still developing underneath.
Development timeline
Your color will take up to 24 hours to fully develop and even out. Before your rinse, you might see streaks or patches of bronzer. That’s normal and should even out into a smooth glow once you rinse and your tan is fully developed.
Your color will take up to 24 hours to fully develop and even out. Before your rinse, you might see streaks or patches of bronzer. That’s normal and should even out into a smooth glow once you rinse and your tan is fully developed.
Fade + sun
Your hands and face will fade faster (sometimes much faster) due to more oil glands, skincare, and frequent hand washing. Touch-ups with tan water can help. Spray tanning does not protect you from sun damage. Always wear mineral sunscreen when you’re outside - we have options available to purchase.
Your hands and face will fade faster (sometimes much faster) due to more oil glands, skincare, and frequent hand washing. Touch-ups with tan water can help. Spray tanning does not protect you from sun damage. Always wear mineral sunscreen when you’re outside - we have options available to purchase.
Aftercare & Maintenance
With good prep and consistent aftercare, your tan should last about 5-10 days and fade evenly with a smooth, soft finish.
Showering
Keep showers quick and avoid hot water. Pat skin dry after showering and swimming - don’t rub with the towel. Avoid baths.
Keep showers quick and avoid hot water. Pat skin dry after showering and swimming - don’t rub with the towel. Avoid baths.
Daily moisture
Use a tan-safe lotion, oil, or body butter daily to keep your skin moisturized and your tan looking even. Moisturize twice daily if you
Use a tan-safe lotion, oil, or body butter daily to keep your skin moisturized and your tan looking even. Moisturize twice daily if you
Tan extender
Start using a tan-extending lotion on Day 2 or in the evening; use your regular lotion in the morning.
Start using a tan-extending lotion on Day 2 or in the evening; use your regular lotion in the morning.
Swimming
If you swim in a pool, hot tub, or natural water, rinse off as soon as possible afterward and moisturize.
If you swim in a pool, hot tub, or natural water, rinse off as soon as possible afterward and moisturize.
Shaving
If you need to shave, use a fresh razor without a moisturizing strip and a gentle, tan-safe shave cream or oil, and shave lightly.
If you need to shave, use a fresh razor without a moisturizing strip and a gentle, tan-safe shave cream or oil, and shave lightly.
Tan-Safe Products & What to Avoid
The products you use matter. Some everyday body washes, scrubs, and lotions are great for normal use, but can be too stripping or too oily for a spray tan and may cause patchy fading.
What We Recommend
Bronze & Beyond Body Wash: pH-balanced and spray tan safe, so it cleanses without harsh sulfates that strip color. Other brands that are ok: Cerave, Hempz, Method, or any other brand specifically made for spray tans.
Scrub Me Good Sugar Scrubs: Use starting around Day 5 to help your tan fade evenly and gently remove leftover color when you’re ready for a fresh tan.
Scrub Me Good Moisturizers: Tan-friendly moisture to keep skin soft, comfortable, and smoother between tans.
Ingredients to Avoid on Tan Areas
Mineral oils and very heavy occlusive oils that can cause patchy development.
High levels of alcohol that dry out skin and make your tan fade faster.
Sulfates (like SLS and SLES) that can strip your tan.
Strong active ingredients such as AHAs, BHAs, exfoliating acids (glycolic, salicylic, lactic, etc), and retinoids on tan-covered areas, as they speed up exfoliation.
Common Product Lines That Aren’t Tan-Friendly
Dove, Dial, Olay, Tree Hut (scrubs & body washes), Nivea, Love Beauty & Planet, Caress, Ivory, Aveeno, Saltair, Sol de Janeiro, Philosophy, and heavily fragranced products (especially lines similar to Bath & Body Works body care).
Not sure if something at home is tan-safe? Bring it up at your appointment and we’ll help you sort through it.