SPRAY TANNING TIPS & TRICKS

Get your mani/pedi, facial, wax, and massage services taken care of at least 24 hours before your spray tan, so they don’t scrub off your beautiful glow, and so any oils or lotions from the service have been washed off completely!

It is recommended to schedule your tanning appointment 1-2 days before your event if you are tanning for an occasion. This will give you time to wash off the bronzer and for the tan to fully develop.

Shower and exfoliate the night before your tan to remove excess dead skin cells so the product adheres evenly and fades well. This is especially important if you tan often. It is important to remove as much of the old tan as possible before applying the new tan to prevent any uneven fading or patchiness. I have Exfoliating Mitts and Tan Remover available for purchase that make exfoliation and removing old tan a breeze!

Spend a little extra time exfoliating areas with thick skin, such as knees, elbows, feet and ankles. Make sure to remove any product residue from your skin, especially conditioner and any shaving products.

Remove makeup before you tan.
Avoid wearing perfume or deodorant to your session as these can lead to uneven development.  Don’t use any heavy lotions or oils on your skin on the day of your session as they can act as a barrier to the tanning solution. If you are super dry, a light, water-based, unscented lotion is fine.

Wear whatever you’re most comfortable in to get sprayed. The bronzer shouldn’t permanently stain your clothes, so feel free to wear a swimsuit or bra and underwear combo that will give you your favorite tan lines. Topless or nude is completely okay, too, if you prefer to have no tan lines at all! I also have disposable tops and bottoms.

It’s best to put your hair up off of your face and wear lip balm to protect your lips. I provide both elastics and balm or you are free to use your own. I also have disposable caps, nose filters, eye protection and sticky feet at no extra charge.

Try not to touch the wet solution or move around too much until you have been dried off, as too much friction between body parts can smudge the cosmetic bronzer. Don’t worry, though...at this point any smudges or mistakes can still be fixed easily. I also offer complementary scented drying powder to help the solution set with much less stickiness.

Relax! I am here to help you! Feel free to ask any and all questions and let me know how I can make this as easy- and fun- of a process as possible!

Since you’re most likely getting your tan in the comfort of your own home, dress as comfortably as possible afterward, i.e. loose, long sleeved pajamas or sweats and long pants. If you are going out, similar loose, dark clothing is best to protect the tan. Don’t worry if the bronzer starts to wear off a little- it shouldn’t affect your tan as long as you don’t get wet and wash off the DHA solution. However, avoid anything too tight (bras, socks, etc.) that could rub off the solution as well.

Wear open shoes, like flip-flops if any at all until your feet are completely dry. Uggs are best in the cold.

Don’t exercise and try not to sweat until after your first shower.

Do not get wet. No swimming, walking in the rain, doing dishes, etc. until you have rinsed off the solution.

No liquid makeup until after your first shower as it will disturb the solution on your face.

If you are sleeping in the solution, be sure to wear loose pajamas with long sleeves and pants so that there is as little skin-on-skin contact as possible. Try not to rest your hands on your face or any exposed skin as they can get stained by the additional solution. It is best to touch your skin as little as possible while your tan develops. I also like to throw a bathrobe or towel over my pillows so that the cosmetic bronzer doesn’t rub off on my pillowcase. The bronzer will wash out, in most cases, but it’s always better safe than sorry, especially if your sheets are not cotton or a similar fabric.

Wait the discussed amount of time before your first shower (different solutions take different amounts of time to develop), and then rinse off with your hands, not a loofah, towel or sponge. If your are using a rapid formula do not use soap, shower gel, body wash or shampoo and conditioner until your second shower.

It takes a full 12-24 hours for your tan to develop completely so if you are not as dark as expected wait the full development time and it should deepen.

Pat yourself dry after you shower rather than rubbing dry during the life of your tan, which makes your tan come off faster.

Hydrated skin will stay tan for longer, so try and moisturize twice daily. This is key to maintaining a healthy glow. Its best to use lotions that don't contain mineral oil or petrolatum and aren't heavily fragranced or full of alcohol. I have Tan Extender Lotion available for purchase if you’re interested. As well as moisturizing your skin, it contains a small amount of DHA which lengthens the life of your tan!

Your face and hands tend to fade a little faster than the rest of your body due to being washed more frequently and from certain skincare products. I have tanning water and mousse available for purchase if you’d like to touch up in between visits.

Spray tan contains no SPF, so if you’re going to be in the sun make sure to use sunblock! I like waterproof mineral sunblock to protect the tan while you're swimming.

Remember, a spray tan is the ONLY healthy way to tan your skin!

Avoid long, hot showers or baths and harsh scrubbing whenever possible.

Using loofahs, waxing, dull razor blades, rough exfoliation and other abrasive skin treatments can fade your tan more quickly.

Bar soaps, lotions and fragrances from Bath and Body Works or Victoria’s Secret and any Dove products are not ideal and can shorten the life of your tan and cause patchiness. Some other ingredients to avoid include: sodium laureth sulfate, sodium laurel sulfate, petrolatum, mineral oil, alcohols, harsh detergents, EDTA, and triethanolamine. It is also important to be aware that many skincare ingredients such as retinoids, AHA’s and BHA’s are chemical exfoliants, although they are great for your skin, they will shorten the life of your tan.

Avoid hot tubs if at all possible. The water and chemical mixture in a typical hot tub can strip off your tan in about half an hour!

Quick dips in the pool or ocean are okay, but extended swims can fade your tan.

Try not to spray perfumes directly onto your skin, as they contain alcohol which can dry your skin and cause your tan to go patchy. Instead, I like to spray my perfume into the air and walk through the mist, or just spray my clothes and hair.

And the most important thing to remember: Live your BEST LIFE and HAVE FUN!!!!! I know this seems like a lot of rules and stuff to remember, but they are all just suggestions to help extend the life of your tan. You can’t revolve your life around your spray tan...That’s what I’m here for!

The typical spray tan will last 5-10 days depending upon prep, care, and upkeep.  It is important to follow the steps listed on our FAQ page to get and maintain the best quality tan possible. In order to prolong the life of your airbrush tan, it is important to stay hydrated- inside and out, minimize exfoliation, and check out our professional line of prep and aftercare products!

The typical Full Body Tan (either rapid or original) takes about half an hour from initial set-up to breakdown of equipment.

When your technician arrives, she will ask where you'd like her to set up. All that's needed is an electrical outlet and about 4x6ft of floor space. She will pop up a tent to contain any overspray and set up the necessary equipment while consulting you on your preferred solution type and desired color. You will undress to your comfort and step into the tent and the technician will tell you how to stand and when to move while you are being sprayed. She will then wipe the solution off of your nails and palms and powder your body so you won't be sticky. You may then get dressed while she dismantles the equipment and cleans up. The entire process takes under half an hour and leaves no mess.