Tanning Tips
PRE-TAN
Before your spray tan, make sure to shower, shave, and exfoliate 8 to 24 hours ahead of time. It’s best to use a gel-based body wash. If you shower or shave too close to your appointment, it can affect how your skin absorbs the tanning solution.
If you need a wax, massage, or pedicure, get those done at least 48 hours before your appointment. This gives any oils or products time to fully wash off. Avoid using retinol for a week before your tan as well.
Arrive at your appointment with clean skin, free of any products. This means no jewelry, lotions, deodorants, makeup, oils, or perfume.
As for sunburns, please note that if you arrive with a fresh burn, I won’t be able to spray tan you. I’ll have to ask you to reschedule. You’ll need to wait at least four weeks after your skin has peeled from a sunburn to get a tan; otherwise, it could result in a patchy or uneven finish. This policy is firm to ensure the best results!
DAY OF SESSION
On the day of your session, be sure you’ve followed all my pre-tan instructions.
Wear loose, dark clothing—like a long-sleeve shirt, sweatpants, and open-toed sandals or slides—to your appointment. Keep in mind that the bronzer in the spray tan solution may transfer to your clothes, but don’t worry, it’s water-soluble and should come out in the wash. After your spray tan, avoid wearing anything tight like bras, shorts, tank tops, socks, or tennis shoes to allow your tan to develop smoothly.
Make sure to plan ahead for traffic so you can arrive on time!
POST-TAN
After your spray tan, it’s important to stay dry until your recommended rinse time. This means no sweating, swimming, or showering. At your appointment, I’ll let you know exactly when you can shower at your initial appointment.
Steer clear of makeup, oils, lotions, deodorants, and perfumes until after your first shower, and wait at least 24 hours after your tan has developed to use them.
If you have pets, make sure they don’t lick your skin while the tan is setting.
To prevent stained hands, keep your palms away from the areas where the tan is developing.
When it’s time for your first shower, stick to just a water rinse – no soap is needed. If necessary, you can gently clean underarms and other private areas with a small amount of soap, but keep it minimal. Aim to shower quickly! If you notice streaks, hop back in and use your hand to gently guide the bronzer off. Pat yourself dry with a towel instead of rubbing. The more exposure to water, the faster your tan will fade, so keep the water lukewarm for this initial rinse.
MAINTENANCE
To extend the life of your tan, take shorter showers and moisturize daily using a natural lotion. Avoid lotions that contain mineral oil or strong fragrances, as these ingredients can cause your tan to fade quickly. My personal favorite for body wash and moisturizer is Hempz!
Be aware that certain activities can cause your spray tan to fade faster, such as exposure to chlorine, salt water, long hot showers or baths, saunas, and excessive sweating.
