Preparing for your tan

8-48 hrs before tan

Make sure you schedule your Spray tan after most other beauty routines(manicures, pedicures, massages, waxing, etc.) We don't want any other chemicals to affect your tan.

No existing self tanner or prior spray tan residue on your skin.
Shower 24-48 hrs before appt. Do NOT shower or rinse off before you come see me. Avoid using bar soaps especially Dove. Gel soaps preferred. No lotion, oils, perfume, deodorant, or make up on skin at least 4 hours prior to appointment. All act like a barrier.
Shave, and exfoliate at least 8-48 hours prior to appointment. Exfoliating mitts work best. Concentrate on drier areas of the body, elbows, knees and feet. If you forget to shave, please wait until after your appointment to shave

Day of tan

Wear loose fitting clothes the day of and to your appointment. Black is best so there is no color transfer. No elastic if possible. No leggings they are too tight. NO JEANS. Please bring sandals. Be prepared to not wear a bra after.
No lotion, oils, perfume, deodorant, or make up on skin at least 4 hours prior to appointment. All act like a barrier.
If you currently have a sunburn please let me know, we can not spray over that.
You can wear a bikini, bra, underwear, swimsuit to tan in. Try to choose items that are either dark or you don't care if they get stained. Some women also prefer to tan nude or topless. It is your preference.

After your tan

Make sure you schedule some down time after your Spray Tan, you don't want to sweat or be near any water for a few hours after. It is best to wear long sleeves and sweats to bed as your spray tan processes. This will prevent you from touching your tan in your sleep, causing stained palms.
Wait to shower or get wet for a minimum of 8 hours. Or with rapids the time specified. In the first warm water rinse, completely remove all cosmetic bronzers with cool water until the water runs clear.
DO NOT Freak Out! Your tan is not washing off! When you shower the first time the cosmetic bronzer will wash off revealing your new tanned skin underneath. The tan left behind will gently and gradually fade until your next exfoliation. Your skin type affects how often you need to tan. Dryer skin exfoliates faster, so hydrating with a lotion or tan extending lotion between sessions is essential to keep your tan glowing for as long as possible.
After 24 hours, keep your skin hydrated by moisturizing daily. Stay away from mineral oil, AHAs, petroleum, ethanol, exfoliating and alcohol based products as these will strip your tan faster. Hydrated skin makes your tan last longer.
Avoid over showering, long hot showers and baths, loofahs and exfoliants of any kind for 5-7 days. We recommend using a cleanser specific for tanned skin to help protect your spray tan.
Drink lots of water.
DO NOT-Sit directly on leather or light colored fabric right after your session. It is best to sit on a cloth or towel.
DO NOT-Exercise or get wet until after your post tan shower. Avoid water altogether until your first shower. This includes dishes or even drops of water from bathing kids!
DO NOT-Exfoliate until your tan has faded completely. Exfoliating will make your skin appear blotchy.

Tan safe lotions

Ingredients to use

Ingredients to avoid

Shea butter
Fragrance-free
Oil-free
Aloe-vera
Coconut oil

Mineral oil
Fragrances
Most essential oil
Anti-aging products
Toners
Hair removal product
Retina
Makeup removal product

Did you know?

Sunless tans are safer than UV tans.

UV tanning is unsafe- it’s a significant factor in the formation of many types of skin cancer. Sunless tanning should be the sole option for achieving a bronzed look. The active ingredient in sunless tanning products is coloring agent DHA, which combines with amino acids in the skin to achieve the faux glow, only browns the outermost, dead cell layer of the skin whereas UV rays seep into deeper layers of the skin.

Spray tans are for everyone.

Spray tanning is about achieving that extra glow that enhances your skin color, it’s not meant to darken complexion. There are multiple factors that can come from achieving a natural-looking, sunkissed glow. Tanning is not a necessity for confidence, it’s a tool that can do that by adding warmth to your skin tone if you’d like.

Your Period can affect your tan.

Depending on where you are at in your menstrual cycle it can affect the way your body absorbs and process the DHA (the color). You may get a spray tan one week come back and get the exact same spray tan another week and it can look lighter or darker. This is something to keep in mind if you notice slight changes when you get the exact same formula.

Exfoliating is key

In order to achieve the best tan possible you want to make sure you have exfoliated to get rid of old dead skins cells. It is recommended to exfoliate at least 6-48 hrs before your Spray tan. Interestingly enough you do need some dead skin cells for the DHA(color) to adhere to.

Medication can affect your spray tan.

The following medications can affect how your body processes the DHA in the spray tan solution (color). Antibiotics, hormone injections, birth control, thyroid medication, and medication containing estrogen or testosterone.

The Products you use can affect your spray tan.

Products to avoid are:

Some cleansers: Dove shower gel or soap, Oil of Olay cleansers can coat skin causing uneven tanning.
Curel and Dove moisturizing lotion causes rapid fading.
Hair inhibiting body lotion products.
Anti-aging products that "renew" "refresh" "brighten" or exfoliate skin.
Products containing witch hazel or alcohol can lighten tan.
Skin peels or treatments

This is not an all inclusive list just some of the things that could cause your tan to fade quicker. The biggest thing is to make sure your skin is free of any barrier causing products BEFORE your spray tan.