Airbrush Spray Tanning Prep + Maintenance

Before Spray Tanning Session

  • Shower, exfoliate, and shave to remove body hair before your session.  Exfoliating your body is a key step before tanning. The exfoliating process will remove the top layer of dead skin cells.  For best results, utilize an exfoliating tool (loofah, gloves) or a grainy body wash.  If you don’t have an exfoliating product readily available, try adding sugar to any type of body soap.

  • Your skin should be clean and dry before your session.

  • Do not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfume, oils or makeup before your appointment as they can effect tan development.

  • You can and should use a light, water based moisturizer up to an hour before application. Make sure the first ingredient is water/aqua.

  • Do not wear socks as the pattern of the socks might show up on your tan.  Wear loose shoes (sandals or flip-flops are recommended).

  • You may wear a dark swimsuit or under garment to create your “tan line”. Women may opt to tan nude if you wish to have no visible tan lines.

  • Men MUST wear some type of undergarment.

  • Make sure hair is off of face and neck for appointment

  • Remove jewelry before being sprayed.

*You will not be able to swim, sweat, bathe or exercise for at least 6 to 10 hours after being sprayed – so please plan accordingly. You can RINSE (by letting luke warm water run off of your body until it runs clear) 1-3 hours after application. 

* Prolonged time in the shower at that time and use of soaps can alter the look of the completed tan so please follow technician’s directions.


After Spray Tanning Session

  • Wear dark, loose fitting clothing while tan develops.

  • After 1-3 hours, you can rinse with lukewarm water. DO NOT use soap, exfoliates or abrasive products. Reintroduce soap 24 hours after being sprayed.

  • Some color will wash off in the shower. This is normal; it is excess solution, and color guide tint/cosmetic bronzer. You will still have a bronze tan that is developing on the top layer of the skin. The spray tan can develop up to 24 hours after session.  Do not touch the skin or sleep with hands touching the face or body, as transfer can occur and make the hands discolor.

  • Pat, don’t rub skin dry.

  • Apply a moisturizer to shower damp skin every day. If skin is very dry apply a moisturizer twice every day.

  • Avoid exfoliating skin until right before your next tanning session. Some products can cause faster fading.  Bar soaps, alcohol based products such as toners and astringents products that cause exfoliation such as AHAs, BHAs,Retin-A etc.

Maintaining Your Tan

  • To maintain your tan make sure that your skin is always moisturized. Your tan can last from 5 to 8 days.  Using the wrong products can fade your tan faster. If you will be in any sort of water you may use an SPF which can seal in the sunless tan and prolong the natural “wear” of the sunless tan.

Products That May Damage Your Tan

  • AHA products (Alpha Hydroxy Acids -Glycolic, Lactic, Malic, Citric and Tartaric acids)

  • Anti-acne products that exfoliate, or dry the skin- Accutane, and Salicylic acid, can affect tan fading. Skin also peels, which can look unacceptable, especially with a tan. Antibiotics or other medications that affect your skin, can also affect your tan.

  • Anti-aging products that “renew” “refresh” or otherwise exfoliate skin,

  • Band-Aid or adhesive tape applied to skin will pull the “tan” off

  • Bar soaps, especially deodorant, or antibacterial varieties

  • BHA Products (Beta Hydroxy Acids-salicylic acid)

  • Body hair bleach products will bleach the tan, non bleach skin lighteners are fine

  • Bore type adhesive facial strips, or “peel-off” masks

  • Bug spray, perfumes, body sprays when sprayed directly onto skin, can remove or fade the tan. Instead, spray clothing, or spray a “cloud” of spray that you can walk through, instead of directly onto skin.

  • Dove soap, and Dove Shower gel. These are considered Syndet bars/soaps. During production, they use milder synthetic detergents, thus the name. These are often advertised as “Soap Free” bars/washes. Though generally being very mild to the skin, and having a lower pH, (around 7) they also tend to cause tanning solution absorption issues, uneven or no color, or peeling or faster tan fade. Curel lotion is also known to fade a tan faster on some people due to pH levels.

  • Facial mask treatments and exfoliating scrubs

  • Hair Inhibiting Lotions (Jergens etc.) tend to make a sunless tan yellow.

  • If you exercise and sweat heavily your tan can fade faster, especially in body fold areas. (arm bends, knee bends, between breasts etc.)

*This is a list of commonly used body care products that can have a detrimental effect on a spray tan. This is not all-inclusive. Not everyone will have a problem with these items. This is only a guide.