Preparation Guide
Pre-Tan Prep.
A great spray tan is 80% preparation. Follow this guide and your glow will last longer, fade evenly, and look natural on day one.
01
48–72 Hours Before
Exfoliate Everything
Use a body scrub or exfoliating mitt to buff away dead skin — especially elbows, knees, ankles, and wrists. This is the single most important step. Skip it and the tan fades unevenly.
Do not use oil-based scrubs. Stick to a sugar scrub or dry brush.
02
24 Hours Before
Shave or Wax
Shave at least 24 hours before your appointment — never the same day. If you wax, do it at least 48 hours out. Open follicles absorb solution unevenly and can cause darkening.
Laser hair removal is fine anytime. Just make sure skin is fully healed.
03
Day Of — Before
Arrive Clean & Product-Free
Shower before your appointment. Do not apply any lotion, deodorant, perfume, makeup, or sunscreen. Even residue from these products will block the solution and cause patchiness.
Bring or wear dark, loose-fitting clothing. Tight waistbands leave lines.
04
During
Tell Us Your Goal
We custom-blend every tan to your skin tone and the look you're going for. Light and natural? Deep vacation glow? Tell your artist — we adjust color, solution depth, and technique per client.
First time? Start one shade lighter than you think. You can always go darker.
05
8–12 Hours After
Let It Develop
Avoid water, sweat, tight clothing, and bending at joints during your development window. The longer you wait to rinse (up to 12 hrs), the deeper the color.
Express Tan clients can rinse in 2–4 hours. Original and Clean Tan: 8–12.
06
First Rinse
Rinse, Don't Scrub
Rinse with warm water only — no soap on the first rinse. You may see color wash off; that's the cosmetic bronzer, not your actual tan. The real color develops underneath.
After your first rinse, moisturize immediately with an oil-free lotion.
Day-Of Rules
Leave These at Home
Lotion, body oil, or serum the day of
Deodorant or antiperspirant
Perfume or body spray
Makeup or self-tanner
Shaving the same day
Tight or synthetic-fiber clothing right after
Working out within 4 hours of your appointment
Swimming or soaking (pool, hot tub, bath) within 24 hours after
Ready to glow?
You know what to do. We handle the rest.