Prep & aftercare
The part that decides how good your tan looks.
A spray tan develops in the top layer of your skin, so it can only look as even as the surface it lands on. Prep is not admin. It is most of the result.
One to two days before
- Exfoliate 48 hours before, and again the night before, with a non-oil-based product
- Focus on rough areas: elbows, knees, ankles, heels and underarms
- Shave 12 to 24 hours before. If you wax, do it 24 to 48 hours before
- Moisturize dry areas the night before, avoiding oil-based lotions
The day of your appointment
- Finish your shower at least three hours before your appointment. Cleanse thoroughly and use an exfoliating mitt
- Pat dry, then apply no lotion, oil, deodorant or perfume
- Wear loose, dark clothing, avoiding tight bras, leggings and sneakers
- Bring or wear flip-flops or open-toe shoes
Immediately after
- Let your skin dry completely before dressing
- Loose, dark clothing and open-toe shoes
- Stay completely dry until it is time to rinse: no showers, no sweating, no water
- If you tanned at night, wear long sleeves and pants to bed
Your first shower
Original solutions: wait 8 to 12 hours. Rapid solutions: rinse anywhere from 1 to 8 hours, depending on how deep you want the color. Your exact window is written down before you leave. Both keep developing after that first rinse.
- Warm water only, with no soap, shampoo or loofah
- Rinse until the water runs clear
- Pat dry. Never rub
The next 7 to 10 days
- Moisturize once or twice daily with fragrance-free, sulfate-free products
- Use gentle, sulfate-free body washes only
- Avoid hot water, baths, saunas and steam rooms
- Always pat your skin dry
What to avoid
Products: bar soaps, oil-based products, exfoliants, sulfate body washes, alcohol-based toners, acne treatments, perfumed lotions, and waxing after your tan.
Activities: pools, hot tubs, saltwater, heavy exercise, tight clothing, rough towel-drying, excessive hand-washing and repeatedly touching your skin.
Text 615-428-0746 and ask. Rinsing an original solution on a rapid timeline is the single most common way a good tan gets cut short.
Taking a tan off early
Use a dedicated tan remover and exfoliate. Seana recommends Rose & Caramel Purity Excel 60 Second Self Tan Remover with an exfoliating mitt. It works because DHA, the active ingredient in every spray tan, only ever colors the top layer of your skin, so once that layer is gone, the tan is gone with it. Full walkthrough in how to remove a spray tan.
Those two product links are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one, The Sunless Method may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See the privacy policy.
Common questions
What do I wear during the appointment?
As much or as little as you are comfortable in. Disposable undergarments are provided if you would like them.
How do I prepare for a spray tan?
Exfoliate 48 hours before and again the night before, using a non-oil-based product. Shave 12 to 24 hours ahead, or wax 24 to 48 hours ahead. On the day, finish your shower at least 3 hours before your appointment, then apply no lotion, oil, deodorant or perfume.
Do I shave before or after?
Before, 12 to 24 hours ahead. Shaving after a tan exfoliates the color straight off. If you wax, do it 24 to 48 hours ahead.
Why does prep matter so much?
A spray tan develops in the top layer of skin, so it can only look as even as the surface it lands on. Dead skin, product residue and dry patches absorb color unevenly, which is what causes patchiness around elbows, knees, ankles and hands.
What do I wear afterwards?
Loose, dark clothing and open-toe shoes or flip-flops. Avoid tight bras, leggings and sneakers until after you rinse. Anything tight can rub the color while it develops.
How long do I wait before showering?
It depends on your solution. Original solutions need 8 to 12 hours before the first rinse. Rapid solutions rinse anywhere from 1 to 8 hours depending on how deep you want the color. You are told your exact window before you leave. Both keep developing after that first rinse. Use warm water only, no soap or loofah, rinse until the water runs clear, then pat dry rather than rubbing.
How long will my tan last?
Typically 7 to 10 days with proper aftercare. Moisturize once or twice daily with a fragrance-free, sulfate-free product and avoid exfoliating products to get the full range.
What shortens a spray tan?
Hot water, baths, saunas, steam rooms, pools, hot tubs, saltwater, heavy exercise, bar soaps, oil-based products, sulfate body washes, alcohol-based toners, acne treatments and waxing.
How do I remove a spray tan early?
Use a dedicated tan remover and exfoliate. Seana recommends Rose & Caramel Purity Excel 60 Second Self Tan Remover, which is on her Amazon list. It works because DHA, the active ingredient in every spray tan, only ever colors the top layer of your skin. Once that layer is removed, so is the tan.
What is a rapid solution?
A rapid solution develops faster, rinsing anywhere from 1 to 8 hours depending on how deep you want the result, versus 8 to 12 hours for an original solution. Both continue developing after the rinse.
Ready to look sun-kissed, not spray-tanned?
Book the Brentwood studio, or text your ZIP code and date to ask about a mobile appointment.