To prepare for a spray tan, exfoliate 24–48 hours before your appointment, shave at least 24 hours ahead or wax at least 48 hours ahead, and arrive with clean, bare skin. On the day of your spray tan, skip lotion, deodorant, perfume, makeup, and tight clothing so the tanning solution can apply evenly and develop without streaks.
Key Takeaways
- Prep timing matters. Exfoliating, shaving, and waxing too close to your appointment can leave pores open and make the tan look uneven.
- Your skin should be clean and product-free. Lotion, deodorant, perfume, oils, and makeup can block the spray tan from absorbing evenly.
- Dry areas need extra attention. Elbows, knees, ankles, knuckles, hands, and feet can absorb more color if they are not prepped correctly.
- Loose clothing helps protect the result. Tight waistbands, bras, leggings, socks, and shoes can rub against fresh color before it sets.
- Aftercare starts right away. Avoid water, sweat, and friction while the tan develops, then moisturize daily after your first rinse.
Spray Tan Prep Checklist
The best spray tan prep is simple: remove dry skin, finish hair removal early, avoid product buildup, and protect your skin while the tan develops. Use this checklist before your appointment.
| When | What to Do | Why It Matters |
| 24–48 hours before | Exfoliate your body with a gentle, oil-free scrub or mitt. | Removes dead skin so the tan applies more evenly. |
| 24–48 hours before | Shave at least 24 hours before or wax at least 48 hours before. | Gives skin time to calm and pores time to close. |
| Night before | Avoid heavy oils, thick body butters, and products that leave residue. | Residue can create a barrier between your skin and the tanning solution. |
| Day of | Arrive with clean skin and no lotion, deodorant, perfume, makeup, or oils. | Bare skin helps the spray tan apply smoothly. |
| After your appointment | Wear loose, dark clothing and avoid water, sweat, and rubbing. | Protects the tan while it develops. |
What to Do 24–48 Hours Before a Spray Tan
The most important spray tan preparation happens one to two days before your appointment. This is when you should exfoliate and complete hair removal so your skin has time to settle before the tanning solution is applied.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that can make a spray tan look patchy or fade unevenly. Focus on rough or dry areas like elbows, knees, ankles, heels, hands, feet, and the backs of your arms.
Use a gentle, oil-free exfoliant or exfoliating mitt. Avoid anything that leaves a greasy layer on your skin, because oils can stop the tanning solution from applying evenly.
If your main goal is keeping your tan even for as long as possible, read these tips on making your spray tan last the longest.
Shave or Wax Ahead of Time
Hair removal should happen before your spray tan, not right before it. Shaving or waxing too close to your appointment can irritate your skin and leave pores open, which may cause the tanning solution to settle unevenly.
- Shave at least 24 hours before your appointment.
- Wax at least 48 hours before your appointment.
If you forgot to shave or wax in time, do not squeeze it in right before your appointment. It is usually better to skip last-minute hair removal than risk irritation, dark dots, or uneven color.
If your go-to hair removal method is laser, read this guide on spray tan after it.
What to Do the Night Before a Spray Tan
The night before your spray tan, keep your skin clean and avoid anything that leaves a heavy coating. This is not the time for rich body oils, thick creams, or new skincare products.
If you shower the night before, rinse well so no soap, shaving cream, or body wash residue stays on your skin. If your skin is dry, use only what your spray tan technician recommends, because some moisturizers can interfere with the tanning solution. Read our dedicated guide about showering after spray tan.
Do not over-exfoliate. Scrubbing too hard can irritate your skin and make the tan apply unevenly. The goal is smooth skin, not raw skin.
What to Do on the Day of Your Spray Tan
On the day of your spray tan, your skin should be clean, dry, and free of products. Anything sitting on your skin can act like a barrier and affect how evenly the tan develops. If you’re pregnant, it’s important not to inhale the spray. Here’s a full safety list of spray tan during pregnancy.
- Skip lotion, oils, and body butter. These can block the tanning solution and cause uneven color.
- Do not wear deodorant, perfume, or makeup. These products can interfere with the tan, especially around the underarms, neck, chest, and face.
- Shower early if needed. Give your skin time to dry fully before your appointment, and do not apply products afterward.
- Use barrier or blending cream where needed. Hands, feet, elbows, knees, ankles, and knuckles can grab extra color if they are dry.
- Wear loose, dark clothing. Choose soft clothes that will not rub against your skin after the appointment.
At SunsUp Tan & Wellness Spa, our technicians can help with blending cream so hands and feet look natural instead of too dark. If you want help choosing the right prep for your skin, visit one of our locations.
You can also learn all about why natural formulas in spray tans work better for your skin.
What to Wear to a Spray Tan
Wear loose, dark, comfortable clothing to your spray tan appointment. Good options include an oversized T-shirt, loose sweatpants, a flowy dress, slide sandals, or other clothes that do not press tightly into your skin.
Avoid tight leggings, jeans, tight bras, socks, sneakers, and tight waistbands right after your appointment. Fresh spray tan can rub, crease, or transfer before it has time to develop.
What you wear during the spray tan depends on your comfort level and the type of tan you choose. Also, when you get into a tanning salon, you’ll have a choice between a tanning booth and airbrush. Read this guide to see which one is best for your current spray tanning needs.
What If You Forgot to Exfoliate Before a Spray Tan?
If you forgot to exfoliate before a spray tan, what you should do depends on how soon your appointment is. If your appointment is later in the day, you may be able to do a gentle, oil-free exfoliation and rinse thoroughly. If your appointment is in the next couple of hours, skip exfoliating and tell your technician.
Exfoliating right before a spray tan can irritate your skin or leave pores more noticeable. It is better to have a slightly imperfect prep than to scrub aggressively at the last minute.
For your next appointment, exfoliate 24–48 hours ahead so your skin has time to calm before the tan is applied.
What Not to Do Before a Spray Tan
A smooth spray tan is as much about what you avoid as what you do. These common mistakes can make the tan look uneven, streaky, or darker in certain areas.
- Do not shave or wax right before your appointment. This can leave pores open and skin irritated.
- Do not apply lotion, perfume, deodorant, makeup, or oil. These products can create a barrier on the skin.
- Do not wear tight clothing afterward. Tight fabric can rub or crease the tan while it develops.
- Do not schedule a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, or waxing right after your tan. These services can remove or disturb fresh color.
- Do not work out right after your appointment. Sweat can affect the tan before it has developed.
Spray Tan Aftercare: What to Do After Your Appointment
Spray tan aftercare starts as soon as your appointment ends. The goal is to protect the tan while it develops, then keep your skin hydrated so the color fades evenly.
- Let your spray tan develop. Avoid water, sweat, workouts, and heavy friction while your tan is setting. Your technician will tell you how long to wait based on the formula used.
- Take a gentle first rinse. When it is time to shower, use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing your skin.
- Pat your skin dry. Do not rub aggressively with a towel after your first shower.
- Moisturize daily. Hydrated skin helps your tan fade more evenly. If you need a tan-friendly lotion, SunsUp carries TriLuxe Lotion at our salons.
- Wait to exfoliate. Exfoliating too soon can remove your tan before you are ready. When your tan starts fading and you want to remove the last uneven color, try Bamboo Exfoliant, available at our locations.
- Avoid long hot showers, baths, and chlorine. Heat, soaking, and pool water can make your tan fade faster.
Cold weather can make tan maintenance more challenging, so if you’re tanning during winter months, check out our guide on how to get a tan in the winter without looking orange or streaky for season-specific care tips.
To correct a streaky/orange spray tan, read up on fixing bad spray tans.
How Long Does a Spray Tan Take to Develop?
Most spray tans need several hours to develop, but the exact timing depends on the formula and the result you want. Some formulas can be rinsed sooner, while others need more time before your first shower.
Follow the timing your technician gives you. Showering too early can lighten the result, while leaving some formulas on too long may make the color develop darker than planned.
How Long Does a Spray Tan Last?
A professional spray tan usually lasts several days, but prep and aftercare affect how evenly it fades. Exfoliating ahead of time, avoiding product barriers on the day of your appointment, and moisturizing after your first rinse can help the color wear more smoothly.
If your skin is dry, you swim often, take hot showers, or exfoliate too soon, the tan may fade faster. If you prep well and keep your skin hydrated, the color is more likely to fade evenly instead of breaking up in patches.
How Much Does a Spray Tan Cost?
At SunsUp Tan & Wellness Spa, new clients can get their first spray tan for $20. We also offer spray tan packages that bring the price down to as low as $15 per session. If you’re someone who loves maintaining a year-round glow, our spray tan membership guide for the Portland Vancouver metro area breaks down all the options and savings.
Want more details? Reach out to us directly or stop by one of our locations. We’re happy to help.
Try a Spray Tan in Portland, or Vancouver, WA
If you’re looking for a spray tan in Portland or Vancouver, come see us at SunsUp Tan & Wellness Spa. Our technicians can help you choose the right shade, prep your dry areas, and leave with a natural-looking glow.
Recent Comments