When it comes to getting the perfect spray tan, prep is everything. Your glow depends just as much on how you care for your skin before and after your appointment as it does on the solution itself. The right prep ensures your tan develops evenly, lasts longer, and fades gracefully—so you can feel confident in your radiant results.

Below, we’ve laid out the complete skin prep timeline, approved products, what to wear, and exactly how to rinse your tan for the best outcome.

24–48 Hours Before Your Appointment

• Exfoliate thoroughly: Use a gentle, oil-free exfoliator or mitt to remove dead skin cells. Pay extra attention to dry areas like elbows, knees, ankles, and hands.

• Hair removal: If you wax or shave, do it at least 24 hours before your tan to avoid irritation or open pores.

• Avoid heavy lotions or oils: These can create a barrier that prevents the tanning solution from absorbing evenly.

Day of Your Appointment

• Shower before your session: Make sure your skin is clean, dry, and free of any deodorant, makeup, lotion, or perfume. These can interfere with the tanning solution.

• Skip thick skincare: Stick to bare, fresh skin.

• Dress comfortably: Loose, dark clothing is ideal to prevent rubbing and staining. Think joggers, flowy tops, and slides. Avoid leggings, jeans, or tight bras right after your tan.

Approved Body Washes

After your tan, using the right body wash will make a big difference. Look for sulfate-free, gentle cleansers that won’t strip your tan. Recommended options include:

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

• Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

• Native Body Wash (unscented or gentle varieties)

Approved Lotions

Moisturizing daily helps extend the life of your tan and prevents patchy fading. Avoid lotions with mineral oil or heavy fragrance. Try these client-approved picks:

• Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

• CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

• Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer

• Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion (Fragrance-Free)

Rinsing Your Tan

• First rinse: Follow the timing instructions for your solution—rapid tans are typically rinsed in 2–4 hours, while traditional solutions are left on for 8+ hours. Do not exceed the maximum time given.

• Use lukewarm water only: Skip soap during your first rinse and simply allow the bronzer to wash away until the water runs clear.

• Wait for soap: Your first soap shower should be at least 24 hours after your spray tan. Until then, only rinse with water.

• No hair washing in the first 24 hours: Shampoo and conditioner can interfere with the tan development if they run down your skin too soon.

• Pat dry, don’t rub: Use a soft towel to gently pat your skin dry to protect your tan.

Long-Term Care Tips

• Moisturize daily with an approved lotion.

• Avoid long hot baths, chlorine, and excessive sweating to keep your tan from fading prematurely.

• When your tan starts to fade, exfoliate gently before booking your next session to create a fresh, even canvas.

What To Avoid Leading Up To Your Appointment

1. Retinol: Stop using retinol 1 week prior to your appointment.

2. Chemical peels: Make sure you give your skin two weeks to heal before coming to your appointment.

3. Sunburns: Your sunburn needs to be completely healed before coming in for a tan or else your tan will peel off with your burn.

With the right prep and aftercare, your spray tan will look radiant, natural, and last longer

—helping you feel confident and glowing every single time.