How to Prepare for a Spray Tan, Plus Aftercare Tips

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Everything you need to know to get an even, long-lasting spray tan

Co-authored by Barbie Ritzman and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: September 25, 2024 Fact Checked

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Before Your Spray Tan

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The Day Of

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Aftercare

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How long does a spray tan last?

Got a spray tan appointment coming up? We're here to help you prep and care for your skin so you can get the best results. In this article, we’ll go over everything you should know before your spray tan, including hair removal, skin prep, and what to wear on the day of your appointment. We’ll also cover what to do after your spray tan to help your sun-kissed glow last longer, along with expert insights from beauty and skincare specialist Barbie Ritzman, so keep reading!

How do you prepare for a spray tan?

Start exfoliating and moisturizing your skin 3-5 days before your appointment.
Shave or wax your skin at least 24 hours in advance.
Take a shower right before your appointment so your skin is clean.
Don’t apply lotion, body oil, deodorant, or makeup on the day of your spray tan.
Wear dark-colored, loose-fitting clothing to your appointment.

Section 1 of 4:

What to Do Before Your Spray Tan

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Start exfoliating and moisturizing your skin 3-5 days beforehand. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, so that you have a smooth and even surface for your spray tan. This helps you achieve a more even result without streaks or patches. You can exfoliate using a dry brush before you shower, or you can use an exfoliating body scrub or exfoliating mitt in the shower—whatever you prefer!^{[1]
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- When you exfoliate, gently buff your skin in small circles. Pay extra attention to drier areas, like your elbows, knees, and ankles.
- After each exfoliation session, apply a gentle body lotion to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.
- Do your exfoliating routine each day leading up to your spray tan, but stop about 8 hours before your appointment. ^{[2]
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It’s a good idea to do some hair removal before a spray tan, since body hair can make it harder to get an even tan.^{[3]
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Research source} However, it’s important to shave or wax at least 24 hours before your appointment. If you shave or wax right before, the spray tan can seep into your open pores and cause dark spots, and it may cause irritation if you have sensitive skin.^{[4]
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If you use any skincare products that contain retinoids or hydroxy acids (AHAs or BHAs), stop using them about 24 hours before your appointment. These products work by increasing cell turnover, which can cause your spray tan to fade more quickly.^{[5]
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If you head to your spray tan with bare nails, they'll likely get discolored, which is a dead giveaway that your bronzed glow isn’t entirely natural. To prevent this, paint your nails the day before your appointment. The polish will prevent the tanning solution from staining your nails.^{[6]
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Section 2 of 4:

What to Do On the Day of Your Spray Tan

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For the best results, you’ll want your skin to be completely clean when you get your spray tan. Sweat and oil can prevent the tan from absorbing evenly into your skin, so it’s important to wash these things off before you head to your appointment.^{[7]
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Don't apply any lotions or oils on the day of your appointment. To get an even result, it’s important that there are no barriers between your skin and the tanning solution. This means you’ll need to avoid applying any moisturizers, body oils, or sunscreen on the day of your appointment.^{[8]
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- Your spray tan specialist will likely provide some barrier cream at your tanning session for your dry areas (hands, toes, behind the knees, etc). This cream will be specially formulated to make sure you get an even finish.^{[9]
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Don't wear any makeup, deodorant, or perfume. For an even spray tan, your skin should be completely free of any products. This includes things like makeup, deodorant, perfume, and body spray. In fact, wearing deodorant to a spray tan can result in green underarms, which is definitely something you’ll want to avoid!^{[10]
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- If you’re really worried about underarm sweat or odor on the day of your appointment, try applying some baby powder to the area. It’ll absorb moisture, and you can easily wipe it off right before your spray tan session.^{[11]
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Wear dark, loose-fitting clothes to your appointment. "Dark colored clothing helps to minimize the visibility of any residual tanning solution that may transfer to the fabric," explains Ritzman. “Loose-fitting clothes also prevent friction and rubbing against the skin, which can cause the tan to streak or rub off,” she says.^{[12]
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Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Interview}
- Ritzman also cautions against wearing tight bras, socks, or shoes, as they can cause marks and unevenness in your spray tan when you put them back on after your appointment.^{[13]
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“Avoid any activities that may cause excessive sweating or exposure to water during the waiting period, as this can potentially affect the development of the tan,” says Ritzman.^{[14]
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Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Interview} This means steering clear of things like working out, showering, getting in the pool, or doing the dishes for several hours. Your tanning specialist will tell you exactly how long to wait to do these things.
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Wait until the next day to take a shower. “Typically, you should wait around 8-12 hours before showering after getting a spray tan,” says Ritzman. “This allows the tanning solution to fully develop and adhere to your skin, resulting in a longer-lasting and more even tan.”^{[15]
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Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Interview} However, the amount of time you should wait can vary depending on the facility you go to and the type of tan you get, so be sure to follow the specific instructions your tanning specialist gives you.
- When you shower for the first time after your spray tan, wash your body gently with a non-abrasive body wash, not a bar soap or exfoliating product.
- Use your hands to wash, rather than a loofah.^{[16]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Make Your Spray Tan Last Longer

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Avoid swimming and taking very long baths or showers. A long soak in water can cause your spray tan to fade more quickly. When you take a bath or a shower, keep things quick and efficient, and don’t linger too long in the steamy water. Chlorine also speeds up the fading process, so it’s best to avoid swimming in chlorinated pools altogether.^{[17]
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- If you got your spray tan to look bronzed and sun-kissed on a tropical vacation, it makes sense that you'd want to go for a quick dip in the ocean. This should be okay, as long as you don’t soak in the water for a long amount of time.^{[18]
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Harsh soaps can strip your spray tan off in patches, so it’s important to opt for gentle liquid body washes or gels when you shower, preferably without oils or sulfates in them.^{[19]
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Research source} Avoid using abrasive bar soaps or exfoliating products that slough off the top layer of your skin—these products can slough away your brand new tan, too!^{[20]
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Products that stick to your skin can accidentally strip some of your spray tan off when you remove them.^{[21]
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Research source} Because of this, it’s best to avoid using things like adhesive bandages, fashion tape, stick-on bras, and pore strips if you want your tan to stay even and last as long as possible.
When your skin is adequately hydrated, your spray tan is more likely to last longer. Apply body lotion frequently in the days following your appointment. Just make sure to use a product that is oil-free, since oils can break down the DHA (the main ingredient in sunless tanning products).^{[22]
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When your tan eventually starts to fade, you may find it helpful to use a self-tanning lotion that contains DHA, the same ingredient that was in the solution used during your spray tan.^{[23]
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Research source} These products can add a little boost to a fading spray tan and help you stay glowy and bronzed for a bit longer.^{[24]
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Section 4 of 4:

How long does a spray tan last?

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This varies depending on how well you take care of your tan, but if you’re avoiding things like swimming, taking very long showers, exfoliating, and using harsh bath products, your tan should last for around 8-10 days.^{[25]
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Research source} When your tan starts to fade, you can try “topping it off” with a self-tanning product to stretch it for a few more days.