PRE AND POST SPRAY TAN CARE
What to do BEFORE your Spray tan:
Moisturize skin daily up until 12 hours before your tan. Make sure to wax 48 hours before appointment. Shave and exfoliate 24-48 hours the day before your tan. Do not shave right before your appointment. I recommend using exfoliating gloves to wash your body. Use a clear body wash or gel with no sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Avoid Dove products as they may leave a film on your skin. Make sure all tanning residue from previous tan is removed. Light lotion is okay to apply after last shower before tan.
Day of Appointment Preparations:
You may shower the day of your appointment at least a few hours before. Make sure shaving and exfoliating is done the day before. You may moisturize your skin in the morning if you are tanning in the evening, but do not apply moisturizer right before your appointment. Do not wear any perfume or makeup on your skin prior to tan.
What to Wear During Appointment:
During the appointment you can wear as much or little as you’d like. Most women wear a thong or undress completely. If you choose to wear underwear or undergarments, choose dark colors. Machine wash undergarments after appointment. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and must wear undergarments on the top and bottom. Men must wear underwear or bottoms of some sort.
What to do AFTER your spray tan:
What to Wear After Appointment:
Your tan can smudge, so have loose, dark clothing available to wear after the tan. Dark colored dresses, loose sweatpants and sweaters are great options. Avoid wearing tight bras, leggings, jeans, boots, and shoes with socks. Flip flops or sandals are best for shoes!
First Tan Rinse:
The first rinse after your spray tan will be a water rinse ONLY. Use your hands to work all the cosmetic bronzer down the drain (about 3-5 minutes). Your tan may appear as if you rinsed it all down the drain when you get out. Don’t worry! The solution can take up to 24 hours to fully develop. You can start moisturizing your skin after the first rinse. You may add body wash back in during your SECOND shower, or following day. Avoid heavy exercise during the first 24 hours.
8 Hour Overnight Solution:
You may rinse your tan off in as little as 8 hours, or rinse off in the morning. I don’t recommend leaving the solution on your skin past 24 hours, as it will start to dry out the skin.
Express Rinse Solution:
Be sure to rinse the express solution off during the recommended rinse time window given to you after your appointment. This solution is a very concentrated, and could lead to unfavorable results if left on past recommended time.
Quick reference:
1 hour= light tan
2-4 hours= medium tan
5-6 hours= dark tan
What to Avoid / Aftercare:
1. Lotions that contain alcohol, mineral oil, petroleum, and artificial fragrance. Natural ingredients like shea butter, aloe, and cocoa butter based lotions are great options.
2. Avoid body washes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate or scrubs.
3. Avoid long, hot showers and baths.
Pat your skin dry with your towel after showers and pool time. Hot tubs and chlorinated pools will quickly degrade your tan. Limit the times in these, and make sure to rinse salt water or chlorine off of skin immediately. Make sure to continue wearing SPF when outside. Waterproof sunscreens have shown to protect the spray tan.
Removing Tan Tips:
You can remove your tan after 5 days if you wanted. Most tans will take 2 showers to completely remove. Take long hot baths or showers to help the process of removing. Hot tubbing, swimming, and steam rooms will help break the tan down. Exfoliating helps remove the tan. The tan adheres to the top layer of skin cells, and your tan will be gone when you shed this top layer.