Spray Tan Prep & Aftercare Guide: What to Do Before and After Your Tan

The best way to prep for a spray tan is to exfoliate 24 hours before, complete hair removal before your appointment, and arrive with clean, dry skin free of lotion, deodorant, oils, makeup, and fragrance. After your spray tan, wear loose dark clothing, avoid sweat and water until your first rinse, then moisturize daily and skip exfoliants, retinoids, oils, and long swims to help your color fade evenly.

 

Spray Tan Prep Timeline

A spray tan develops on the outermost layer of your skin, so your results depend heavily on what is sitting on that skin before application. Dead skin buildup, oil, deodorant, fragrance, and leftover makeup can all block even absorption and cause streaks, patches, or uneven fading.

Use this timeline to plan your appointment.

 

1 Week Before Your Spray Tan

Pause skincare and body products that speed up cell turnover or make skin more reactive.

Avoid:

• Retinol or retinoids on areas being tanned

• Salicylic acid body products

• Glycolic, lactic, or other exfoliating acids

• Strong acne body washes

• Harsh peels or resurfacing treatments

These ingredients can cause your tan to fade faster or develop unevenly because they continue encouraging skin cells to shed.

 

24 to 48 Hours Before Your Spray Tan

This is the most important prep window.

Do:

• Exfoliate thoroughly, ideally the day before

• Shave at least 24 hours before if shaving

• Schedule sugaring or waxing before the tan, never after

• Get manicures, pedicures, massages, and facials before your tan

• Avoid heavy body oils and rich lotions

• 
  

Do not wait until right before your appointment to scrub aggressively. Over-exfoliating the same day can make skin sensitive and may lead to uneven color.

The Night Before Your Spray Tan

Take a warm shower and exfoliate with a gentle body scrub, exfoliating mitt, or washcloth. Focus on dry areas where spray tan tends to grab darker, including:

• Elbows

• Knees

• Ankles

• Feet

• Hands

• Wrists

• Underarms

After showering, pat skin dry. If you need moisturizer, use a light, oil-free option only on very dry areas, and avoid applying heavy products all over the body.

The Day of Your Spray Tan

Arrive with clean, dry, product-free skin.

Skip:

• Lotion

• Body oil

• Deodorant

• Perfume

• Makeup

• Sunscreen

• Shimmer body products

• Heavy hair products that may transfer onto skin

These products can create a barrier between your skin and the tanning solution. Deodorant can also react with bronzer and create discoloration around the underarms.

Hair Removal Before a Spray Tan

Hair removal should always happen before your spray tan. Removing hair after a tan can lift color because shaving, waxing, and sugaring all exfoliate the skin to some degree.

When to Shave Before a Spray Tan

Shave at least 24 hours before your appointment. This gives your pores time to calm down and helps reduce the chance of dark dots or uneven absorption around hair follicles.

If you must shave closer to your appointment, use a clean razor, skip oily shave creams, rinse thoroughly, and avoid applying lotion afterward.

When to Sugar Before a Spray Tan

Sugaring should happen before tanning because it removes hair and lightly exfoliates the skin. At Sugared+Bronzed, clients can pair gentle sugaring with custom airbrush spray tans, but the order should always be sugaring first and tanning second.

If you are sugaring and tanning in the same visit, make sure no oil-based finishing product is left on the skin before the spray tan. Oil can block color development.

Can You Wax After a Spray Tan?

No. Waxing after a spray tan will remove color from the waxed areas and leave visible patches. If you need waxing, sugaring, threading, shaving, or dermaplaning, schedule it before your tan.

What to Wear to a Spray Tan Appointment

Wear dark, loose-fitting clothing to your appointment and keep it on until your first rinse. The goal is to prevent friction, pressure marks, and bronzer transfer.

Best options:

• Oversized dark t-shirt

• Loose sweatpants or joggers

• Flowy dress

• Loose shorts

• Slides, flip-flops, or slip-on shoes

Avoid:

• Leggings

• Tight jeans

• Sports bras

• Tight waistbands

• Tight socks

• Boots

• Light-colored clothing

• Anything with tight straps or seams

You may feel slightly tacky after application, which is normal. Loose clothing helps your tan develop without smudging.

What to Expect During the Appointment

A professional spray tan is typically quick, guided, and customized. Your artist will usually ask about your desired shade, skin tone, event timing, and whether you want a subtle glow or deeper bronze.

The Color You See Right Away Is Not the Final Tan

Most spray tans include a cosmetic bronzer, which gives immediate color and helps guide application. This bronzer rinses off during your first shower.

Your actual tan develops as DHA, the active sunless tanning ingredient, reacts with the outer layer of your skin. Final color usually continues developing for up to 24 hours.

Typical Development Timeline

What to Do Immediately After a Spray Tan

The time between application and your first rinse is the most delicate stage. Moisture, sweat, and friction can all disturb the bronzer and affect how evenly your tan develops.

Before Your First Rinse, Avoid:

• Showering too soon

• Washing your hands carelessly

• Sweating

• Working out

• Sitting in a sauna or steam room

• Swimming

• Getting caught in rain

• Applying lotion or oil

• Wearing tight clothing

• Touching or scratching your skin

If water splashes onto your skin before your rinse, gently blot the area with a soft towel. Do not rub.

How to Take Your First Shower After a Spray Tan

Your first shower should be a rinse, not a full scrub-down shower.

Follow these steps:

1. Use lukewarm water.

2. Do not use hot water.

3. Let the bronzer rinse off gently.

4. Use your hands only; no loofahs, washcloths, or scrubs.

5. Avoid soap or body wash during the first rinse unless instructed otherwise.

6. Rinse until the water runs mostly clear.

7. Pat dry with a towel.

Seeing brown or golden water go down the drain is normal. That is the cosmetic bronzer, not your full tan disappearing.

Spray Tan Aftercare: How to Make It Last

A spray tan lasts longest when your skin stays hydrated and you avoid anything that strips or exfoliates the surface layer.

Moisturize Daily

Start moisturizing after your first proper post-tan shower, usually around 24 hours after your appointment. Use a lightweight, non-oily moisturizer once or twice daily.

Look for:

• Fragrance-free body lotion

• Oil-free moisturizer

• Gentle body cream

• Hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid

Avoid:

• Mineral oil

• Heavy body oils

• Petroleum-heavy products

• Strong fragrance

• Exfoliating body lotions

Moisturized skin sheds more evenly, which helps your tan fade smoothly instead of breaking up in patches.

Shower Gently

To protect your tan:

• Take short, lukewarm showers

• Use gentle body wash

• Avoid harsh soaps

• Do not scrub your skin

• Pat dry instead of rubbing

• Avoid long hot baths

Hot water and friction can speed up fading.

Avoid Exfoliants Until You’re Ready to Remove the Tan

While your tan is fresh, avoid:

• Body scrubs

• Exfoliating mitts

• Loofahs

• Dry brushing

• Retinol

• Glycolic acid

• Salicylic acid

• Acne body washes

• Chemical peels

When you are ready to remove the tan or prep for your next appointment, you can start exfoliating again.

Working Out, Swimming, and Vacation Plans

When Can You Work Out After a Spray Tan?

Wait until after your first rinse before working out. For best results, wait a full 24 hours before doing intense exercise, hot yoga, cycling, or anything that causes heavy sweating.

Sweat can cause streaking before the tan has fully set. After the tan has developed, working out is fine, but tight activewear may cause faster fading in high-friction areas.

Can You Swim After a Spray Tan?

Yes, but swimming can shorten the life of your tan. Chlorine, saltwater, and long periods in water can speed up fading.

If you are going on vacation:

• Get your tan 1 to 2 days before leaving

• Moisturize daily

• Rinse after swimming

• Pat dry instead of rubbing

• Reapply sunscreen often

• Expect some fading from pools, oceans, and hot tubs

Does a Spray Tan Protect You From the Sun?

No. A spray tan does not provide UV protection. You still need broad-spectrum sunscreen when spending time outdoors.

Use sunscreen generously and reapply as directed, especially after swimming or sweating.

Sleeping After a Spray Tan

If your rinse time requires sleeping in your spray tan, wear loose, dark pajamas and sleep on dark sheets or towels. Long sleeves and loose pants can help prevent skin-to-skin transfer between your arms, legs, and torso.

Before bed:

• Do not apply lotion

• Avoid sweating

• Keep the room cool

• Avoid tight waistbands or socks

• Try not to sleep with hands pressed against your body

Some bronzer transfer onto clothing or bedding can happen, especially with darker guide colors. It usually washes out, but dark fabrics are safest.

When to Get a Spray Tan Before an Event

For most events, book your spray tan 1 to 2 days before. This gives the color time to fully develop and allows you to take at least one normal shower before the event.

Best timing by occasion:

Avoid getting your first-ever spray tan the day before a major event if you are nervous about shade, depth, or skin sensitivity. A trial tan is helpful before weddings, big trips, or professional photos.

Why Did My Tan Look Lighter After Showering?

That is normal. Your first rinse removes the cosmetic bronzer, so your skin may look lighter right away. The DHA tan continues developing underneath and usually reaches its final shade within 12 to 24 hours.

Quick Do and Don’t Checklist

Before Your Spray Tan

Do:

• Exfoliate 24 hours before

• Complete hair removal before tanning

• Arrive with clean, dry skin

• Wear loose dark clothing

• Bring slip-on shoes

Don’t:

• Apply lotion, deodorant, perfume, oils, or makeup

• Use retinol or acids right before your tan

• Shave immediately before if you can avoid it

• Wear tight clothing to the appointment

After Your Spray Tan

Do:

• Follow your exact rinse time

• Rinse with lukewarm water

• Pat skin dry

• Moisturize daily after development

• Use sunscreen outdoors

Don’t:

• Sweat before your first rinse

• Swim before your first rinse

• Scrub your skin

• Take long hot baths

• Use exfoliants or retinoids while maintaining the tan

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do before a spray tan?

Exfoliate the day before, complete shaving or sugaring before your appointment, and arrive with clean, dry skin. Do not apply lotion, oil, deodorant, perfume, makeup, or sunscreen on the day of your tan unless your artist instructs otherwise.

Should I shower before a spray tan?

Yes, but ideally shower several hours before or the night before. Your skin should be clean and dry by the time of your appointment. Avoid applying products after showering.

Can I put lotion on before a spray tan?

No, not on the day of your appointment. Lotion can create a barrier that prevents the tanning solution from absorbing evenly. If you have very dry elbows, knees, hands, or feet, ask your artist whether a barrier cream should be used strategically.

Can I wear makeup after a spray tan?

Avoid makeup until after your first rinse if your face was sprayed. Applying or removing makeup too soon can disturb development and create uneven fading.

How long does a spray tan last?

Most spray tans last about 10 to 14  days, depending on skin type, prep, aftercare, workouts, swimming, and shower habits. With careful maintenance, some tans can last longer.

How do I make my spray tan fade evenly?

Moisturize daily, take gentle showers, pat dry, avoid harsh exfoliants, and limit friction from tight clothing. When you are ready for a new tan, exfoliate evenly to remove leftover color before your next appointment.