A spray tan develops in the very top layer of your skin. That means it can only ever look as even as the surface it lands on, which is why prep isn’t admin before the appointment. It’s most of the result.
Here’s the whole thing, in order.
Two days before
Exfoliate 48 hours out. Use something non-oil-based. Oil leaves a film that blocks absorption, and it is the single most common reason a tan comes out patchy in places it shouldn’t.
Spend the time on the areas that actually cause problems: elbows, knees, ankles, heels and underarms. The skin there is thicker and drier, so it drinks up more color than everywhere else. That’s what “dark elbows” is: not a mistake in the application, but a surface that wasn’t ready.
Handle hair removal now, not later. Shave 12 to 24 hours before your appointment. If you wax, go 24 to 48 hours ahead. Both leave the pores open right afterwards, and spraying into open pores is how you end up with tiny dark dots.
Shaving after your tan is worse, because a razor is an exfoliant, so you’re scraping the color straight back off. There is more on the timing in shave before or after a spray tan.
The night before
Exfoliate once more, then moisturize any dry patches. Avoid oil-based lotions again.
If your skin is generally dry, this second pass matters more than the first. Dry skin sheds faster, and a tan that’s sitting on skin about to flake off is a tan with a short life.
The day of
Finish your shower at least three hours before your appointment. Cleanse thoroughly and use an exfoliating mitt.
Then, and this is the part people get wrong, put nothing on afterwards. No lotion, no oil, no deodorant, no perfume. Pat dry and leave your skin completely bare.
Deodorant is the usual culprit. The aluminum in most antiperspirants reacts with the solution and can turn underarms green. It’s not permanent, but it’s not what anyone wants in a sleeveless dress.
Wear loose, dark clothing. Skip the tight bra, the leggings and the sneakers. Bring flip-flops or open-toe shoes. What to wear to a spray tan covers the rest, including what to sleep in.
If a group is prepping together before a dance or a bachelorette weekend, send this list to the group chat a few days out. It works far better than explaining it at the door.
The short version
- 48 hrs before: exfoliate, non-oil-based
- 12–24 hrs before: shave (or 24–48 hrs for wax)
- Night before: exfoliate again, moisturize dry areas
- 3+ hrs before: shower, exfoliating mitt
- After that shower: nothing on your skin at all
- Wear: loose, dark, open-toe
Do those six things and you’ve already done most of the work. The rest is color matching, and that part isn’t your job.
Questions before your appointment? Text 615-428-0746. You’ll get a real answer, not a booking link. If you have not been before, what happens at a first appointment walks through the whole thing.