How to Prepare for a Spray Tan Appointment

A flawless, long-lasting airbrush tan starts before you ever walk in the door. A little preparation in the 24 hours beforehand makes all the difference in how evenly your color develops — and how long it lasts. Here's a simple checklist.

Exfoliate the Day Before

Exfoliation is the most important prep step. Gently buff your whole body about 24 hours ahead to clear away dead surface cells so the solution can grip evenly. Use a non-oil-based scrub or an exfoliating mitt — oil-based products leave a film that blocks absorption.

Shave Early

If you shave or wax, do it at least a day before your appointment rather than the morning of. Freshly shaved skin and open pores can grab color unevenly. Giving your skin time to settle keeps your tan smooth.

Arrive With Clean, Bare Skin

On the day of your session, come with product-free skin — no lotion, perfume, makeup, or deodorant. Each of these can create a barrier that leads to patchy color. If you tend to be dry around your elbows, knees, or ankles, a light, oil-free moisturizer on just those spots helps prevent over-absorption.

Dress for the Occasion

What you wear out matters as much as how you prep:

• Wear loose, dark clothing so the cosmetic bronzer doesn't transfer onto light fabric.
• Skip tight straps, bras, and jewelry, which can leave pressure marks while the color sets.
• Bring sandals or flip-flops so closed shoes don't rub your fresh tan.

After Your Session

Your color needs about 4 to 8 hours to develop fully, so avoid water, sweat, and tight clothes during that window. Once you rinse, keep skin hydrated morning and night with a gentle, alcohol-free moisturizer and skip harsh scrubs — that's how you stretch a great tan to its full week-plus.

Have questions about prepping for your first visit? Book a spray tan and our team will walk you through it.