Prep & Aftercare
Your best tan starts with great prep
After years of experience and thousands of spray tans, we’ve learned one thing for sure: prep matters.
Your skin plays a huge role in how your tan develops. It’s influenced by everything from weather and diet to medications, hormones, and the products you use daily. While we can’t control all of that, we can control how your skin shows up for your appointment.
Proper prep helps your tan apply evenly, develop beautifully, and fade more evenly. Think of it as starting with a clean, healthy canvas. The better the canvas, the better the result.
Follow the steps below and we’ll take it from there.
24-48 Hours Before Your Spray Tan
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Get all other beauty treatments done: facials, waxing, nails, etc.
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Exfoliate your entire body using an exfoliating mitt. Pay special attention to elbows, knees, ankles, neck, and underarms.
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Remove body hair (shaving or waxing).
- Hydrate by drinking water. Moist skin = longer-lasting color.
Prep Option 1: The Day Before Your Appointment (Preferred)
1. Start with a shower
Shave first, then wash hair and body as usual.
2. Exfoliate thoroughly
Using a damp exfoliating mitt, gently scrub your entire body from head to toe. An exfoliating mitt creates the smoothest base for even color
• No soap or product while exfoliating
• Loofahs and sugar scrubs don’t exfoliate deeply enough.
• Body scrubs should be used with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt to ensure proper exfoliation.
• Avoid DIY exfoliants such as baking soda, as they can disrupt the skin’s pH and affect how your tan develops.
• Pay extra attention to dry areas like ankles, knees, elbows, underarms, back of arms, neck, tops of hands and feet. These areas absorb more color, so a good scrub here makes all the difference.
4. Moisturize
5. The day of your appointment
Take a quick rinse shower at least 4 hours prior to remove any lotion or residue
• Use a gentle, sulfate-free body wash if possible
• Avoid bar soaps and creamy or heavily moisturizing formulas, as they can leave a barrier on the skin
Prep Option 2: The Day of Your Appointment
Prepping the day of is okay if you have a last minute appointment. However, clients who prep the night before often experience deeper color payoff and longer-lasting results. Those with extremely oily skin may benefit from same-day prep.
1. Timing matters
Shower and prep as far away from your appointment as possible (4 hours is best) to allow the skin to fully dry and rebalance, ensuring even results.
Please do not prep right before coming in!
2. Start with a shower
Shave first, then wash hair and body as usual.
3. Exfoliate thoroughly using a damp exfoliating mitt (no soap), focusing on dry areas like hands, elbows, knees, and ankles. Rinse with water and come to your appointment with clean, bare skin.
• Exfoliating with a mitt is always your best option. If needed, a washcloth can be used for light exfoliation, just be sure to exfoliate thoroughly so the skin is properly prepped.
• Avoid body scrubs the day of your appointment, especially Tree Hut products, because they can leave a residue on the skin.
4. Skip the lotion
Do not apply lotion, oils, or creams after showering.
For Your Appointment
Please arrive with completely clean, product-free skin:
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No lotion
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No deodorant
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No makeup
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No perfume
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No sunscreen
These products can interfere with how the solution adheres to your skin. Think of it as starting with a blank canvas.
Coming straight from work with a small amount of makeup is perfectly fine. Just let us know when you arrive, and we'll provide wipes. Please skip the lotion and perfume.
Existing Sunless Tan
Please remove all previous spray tan before your appointment.
Applying a new tan over an old one is like painting over chipped nail polish, it rarely ends well.
Removing an Existing Tan
The best way to remove an existing spray tan is to start a few days before your appointment. Soak in a hot bath for at least 20 minutes, then use an exfoliating mitt to gently work away the remaining tan. A tan remover can also help break down stubborn areas and make removal easier. Repeat as needed rather than trying to remove everything in one aggressive exfoliation session.
If you need help removing an old tan, we carry exfoliating mitts and tan remover and are happy to help.
Product & Skin Considerations
There is a small percentage of clients whose skin may not react favorably to spray tanning due to:
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Severely dry skin
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Recent sunburn
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Retinol or resurfacing products
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Accutane
Please discontinue these products at least 7 days prior to your session. If needed, we can avoid spraying treated areas.
Areas of uneven skin tone, sun damage, or dryness may develop slightly darker. If you have concerns, feel free to reach out before your appointment.
Cetaphil, Cerave, Naturium & La Roche Posay are easy brands we recommend. A full list of recommended products can be found under our FAQ tab.
What to Wear After Your Appointment
• Loose, dark clothing is essential
• Long pants and a baggy top work best
• Choose loose sandals or slippers
When choosing your post-tan outfit, opt for soft, breathable, dark clothing that covers most of your skin. Avoid restrictive items like jeans, athletic wear, and sneakers. Pair your look with open-toed sandals or crocs.
You need a layer of fabric between your skin and any surfaces. Sitting on surfaces without it can transfer or remove your tan. Avoid skin to skin contact such as inner thighs and underarms. If your thighs touch or your arms rest against your sides, that creates moisture and can affect your results
A quick note on bras
We know going hours without a bra isn’t always realistic, especially during the day. If going braless is uncomfortable, bring an oversized, loose-fitting bralette to wear after your tan. Any fabric or pressure against freshly tanned skin may cause slight rubbing, so the looser the fit, the better.
If it’s raining, wear loose, dark clothing that fully covers your skin, closed toe shoes, and a raincoat or hoodie. Always bring an umbrella and park as close to the door as possible. Avoid shorts or dresses. Rain on exposed skin can cause streaking or uneven results.
CHOOSING YOUR TAN
1. How deep do you want your tan?
- Soft: light, natural, just a touch of color
- Signature: natural and noticeable (most popular)
- Deep: a richer, more bronzed look for vacations or events
2. What works best with your schedule?
- Rapid: rinse in a few hours, perfect for same-day plans
- Classic: rinse after 8–12 hours for a slower, deeper development
Not sure? Don’t worry, we’ll guide you. It’s still helpful to have an idea of what you like ahead of time. If you have inspiration photos or a specific look in mind, feel free to bring them along.
What to Wear
Ladies:
Wear dark-colored undergarments or swimsuits, or tan topless if you’re wearing a strapless/backless outfit. shower caps, disposable thongs, and pasties available upon request.
If you're under 18, you are required to wear undergarments.
Men:
You must wear undergarments. No exceptions. If tan lines are a concern, Amazon carries lots of different options.
Please remove jewelry prior to your appointment, especially pieces that are difficult to remove or put back on. Permanent jewelry and everyday pieces may remain.
Before your session begins, we’ll discuss your desired color and depth so you feel comfortable and confident with your choice. You’ll then be guided through a series of simple standing positions while your technician applies your custom airbrush tan. Please make sure you’ve eaten earlier in the day and are hydrated before your appointment.
The entire process takes less than 30 minutes.
First time? You’re in good hands. We’ll walk you through every step and make sure you feel comfortable throughout the entire session.
No need to apologize for anything when you come in. Body hair, dry skin, cellulite, your nails, none of it matters. You’re completely welcome here exactly as you are.
After Your Appointment
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Avoid any contact with water or sweat until your rinse time. If a drop of water hits your skin, blot first, then use a dry makeup brush to gently blend it out.
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Wear loose, dark clothing
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Do not apply lotion, perfume, deodorant, or makeup before rinsing
Your First Rinse
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Rinse at the time recommended by your artist, timing determines your color
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Use only your hands and warm water only. Do not use soap or wash your hair.
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Rinse until the bronzer washes away. Don’t worry, this is not your tan washing away. It’s just the bronzer rinsing off.
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Pat dry, don’t rub
- Wait 12–24 hours before applying any lotion. Your tan continues to develop during this window and products applied too soon can interrupt the process.
Your tan may look lighter after rinsing. This is normal. Color continues to develop over the next 12–24 hours.
To Help Your Tan Last
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Moisturize daily with a gentle, non-exfoliating, mineral oil/petroleum free lotion
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Avoid long, hot showers- quick, warm showers are best
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Pat skin dry instead of rubbing
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You may shave 24 hours after the tan but keep in mind, the more you shave the quicker your tan will fade. Use light pressure, a fresh razor, and skip the shaving cream
- Stay hydrated
What to Avoid
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Swimming, hot tubs, and long soaks.
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Exfoliating products, loofahs, or ingredients that “renew” or resurface skin
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Heavy sweating for the first 24 hours
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Perfume applied directly to skin
- Makeup wipes and micellar water. Do not use makeup wipes or micellar water to remove your makeup. Use a gentle cleanser. Cleansing balms and single use face towels work as well
If you plan to swim or use a hot tub, limit time in the water to about 20 to 30 minutes at a time, then take breaks. The longer you soak, the faster your tan will fade. Your tan will gradually fade with each exposure, but it will not strip off immediately. Apply a waterproof, lotion-based sunscreen to help protect your results. Avoid aerosol sunscreens, as they can cause uneven fading. Spray tans do not provide sun protection, so always wear SPF. Apply a tan extender every other day to keep your color strong through your trip.
We recommend lotion SPFs like EltaMD, COOLA, Bask, Sun Bum, and Supergoop.
Once your tan starts to fade, you may use your mitt to remove what remains on your skin.
If you tan every regularly, proper removal and prep are what keep your results looking smooth, even, and natural. Consistent skin care between appointments is the difference between a good tan and a flawless one.
Removing Your Previous Tan
Your previous tan should be mostly faded before your next appointment. Light staining is okay. Dry buildup is not.
Removing an Existing Tan
The best way to remove an existing spray tan is to start a few days before your appointment. Soak in a hot bath for at least 20 minutes, then use an exfoliating mitt to gently work away the remaining tan. A tan remover can also help break down stubborn areas and make removal easier. Repeat as needed rather than trying to remove everything in one aggressive exfoliation session.
Between Appointments
• Moisturize daily with a gentle, non-exfoliating lotion (this is the most important step for an even fade). We have an amazing body lotion and body oil available in-studio.
• If you want your tan to last as long as possible, you may use a tan extender on days 3, 5, and 7. We carry tan extenders in-studio.
• If you tan weekly, skip the extender and allow your color to fade naturally
To maintain the most even fade and seamless color, we recommend booking every 10-14 days. Not sure what timing is right for you? I’m happy to customize a plan based on your lifestyle.