preparation and aftercare
Get the most from your spray tan!
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and moisturizing skin daily.
If you have especially dry or oily skin, you may want to exfoliate a couple of times in the days leading up to your spray tan.
Your tan is the very LAST stop! Complete ALL other services at least 24 hours before your tan, such as manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, eyelashes, Botox etc. Don't worry, your nails won't get stained with us! *Waxing is recommended at least 48 hours or more before your tan.
Shower, shave and exfoliate the day before your appointment. Exfoliation is the most critical step for an even and long-lasting sunless tan. Start by taking a regular shower, shaving, and washing your hair. Then, use a damp exfoliating mitt to scrub your entire body. Do not apply any products to the mitt. The point is to remove all oils, lotions and dead skin. Pay extra attention to dry areas like the ankles, tops of your hands & feet, knees, elbows, neck, underarms and the back of your arms.
Do a warm water rinse the day of your appointment to remove any sweat or body product residues at least 2 hours prior to your appointment.
Avoid using Dove body wash, bar soap & products containing oils prior to your session as there is always a chance they could leave a barrier on your skin.
Avoid wearing any lotion, deodorant, makeup or any products to your session if possible.
If you're coming in right after work/school, we have wipes available for you to remove a small amount of makeup and deodorant, but skip the lotion and perfume. You do not have to go all day without deodorant!
We know life can get hectic and sometimes you have no choice but to prep the day of your tan. You can still get decent results, but try to do it as far away from your appointment time as possible (4-6 hours is best). Follow the prep instructions above and make sure you get all of the residue off of your skin. If you need a last minute tan and have no time to prep, add the exfoliating and color boosting towelette to your service.
Remove all pre-existing sunless tanner before your appointment. Like with nail polish, applying a new spray tan over an old one can lead to a patchy and uneven appearance. If you need help removing a previous tan, please let us know, we're happy to help! We have exfoliating mitts and tan remover available for pick up if needed.
*You can find a list of the products we recommend under the "Frequently Asked Questions" tab!
Please be advised there is a small percentage of people whose skin may not react favorably to a spray tan. Ex- severely dry skin, recently using retinol or skin resurfacing products, Accutane, recent sunburn etc. Please discontinue these products at least 7 days before your session; we can also avoid spraying the treated areas if preferred.
DURING YOUR TAN
Not sure what to wear during the tan? You can wear whatever! Bikini, bra, thong, nude…We don’t care! But if you're under 18, you are required to wear undergarments.
Please be aware that you will have tan lines with whatever you decide to wear.
Before beginning, we will discuss your desired color and darkness to ensure you are feeling confident when the session is complete! You will be guided through various positions to stand, as the technician applies the airbrush tan.
The entire process takes less than 20 minutes and off you glow!
Wear dark, loose-fitting long pants, a baggy shirt and loose shoes or flip-flops to your appointment. Do NOT wear jeans, leggings, or dresses. Shorts are also not recommended. You need a layer of fabric between your skin to avoid skin-to-skin contact that could cause moisture and cause the tan to transfer.
If it's raining, wear appropriate clothing to protect your skin from raindrops and park as close to the front door as possible.
AFTER YOUR TAN
Please rinse at the time your technician advises you to!
Do NOT touch your tan and avoid skin-to-skin contact until your water rinse.
When rinsing, use warm water and NO soap to rinse off the top coat, also known as the cosmetic bronzer. Use your hands to brush the water across your body until the water runs clear down the drain, ensuring all of your cosmetic bronzer coat is washed off. Don't worry, this is not your spray tan washing away!
Gently blot your skin with a towel to dry and moisturize immediately after.
Worried your tan looks lighter after you rinsed it? It totally will! Your tan takes a full 24 hours to see the final result.
Wait about 24 hours to shower with soap or body wash after your appointment.
Your tan needs moisture to last! Moisturize every morning and night to prolong the life of your tan.
AFTER your tan, avoid the following as much as possible, but if you're going on a fun vacay to the beach, just let us know and we'll give you some tips for prolonging your glow:
- Ocean, hot tubs and swimming pools.
- Any body wash containing AHA's or exfoliants.
- Exfoliating products and loofahs.
- Exercise/sweating for 24 hours, but please be aware that sweat may affect your tan even if you wait longer than 24 hours to sweat.
- Perfume or any sprays for 24 hours
- Dove, Olay body wash or soap
*Spray Tan Tip: The instant cosmetic bronzer that you see upon application is like makeup! It will build up/move around or smudge and may appear imperfect. It is important to wait until after the first initial rinse and full soap shower to see the real results!
