Written by Ellen Magnuson L.E.
While spray tans are undeniably the safest and easiest way to achieve golden, tanned skin year-round, they often get a bad rap. Many of us who have used self-tanning lotions or visited a generic spray tan booth in the past have experienced our fair share of patchy, orange-looking skin…I, personally, have the 2013 prom pictures to prove it. Thankfully, the tanning industry moves at the speed of light and spray tans are more customizable and seamless than ever before. With a variety of undertones available and a one-on-one, hand-sprayed provider-client approach brassy-looking skin is no-more. As a client, knowing the dos and don’ts of spray tan prep and aftercare is essential to the longevity of your results. While we, the estheticians at Canvas Salon and Day Spa, can give you the best spray tan of your life, utilizing the following at-home tips and tricks to preserve your all-over golden-glow is essential.
Pictured above is a before and after photo of a spray tan at Canvas.
How To Prepare Your Skin for Your Spray Tan
EXFOLIATE ALL OVER (THE NIGHT BEFORE) – The evening before your spray tan, it is important to exfoliate your skin. Sloughing off dead skin and debris not only makes your skin soft and smooth, it provides a fresh, even foundation for the tanning solution to evenly soak into. One reason patchiness can conspire is due to textured, rough skin holding tight onto the tanning solution. The more built up and tough the skin is, especially in areas like the elbows, knees, hands, and ankles, the more likely the tanning solution will grip onto it. By exfoliating with a sugar or salt scrub (e.g., Eminence Organics Coconut Body Scrub, Farmhouse Fresh’s Honey Lavender or Sweet Cream Fine Sea Salt Body Polish) from the neck down, you are prepping your skin for a successful spray tan.
- Facial Exfoliation – You will want to exfoliate your face as well as the body. It is best to not use a physical body scrub on the face. As facial skin is a bit more sensitive than the rest of the body, it’s important to use a face-specific exfoliant on the face. Whether that be a physical exfoliant (e.g., Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant) or an enzymatic exfoliant (e.g., Eminence Organics Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser or the new Barbados Cherry Powder Cleanser).
NO SHAVING OR WAXING (DAY OF) – In preparation for your spray tan appointment, if you wish to shave or wax any one or multiple areas of the body, it is best to do so at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. This time frame allows your skin to completely calm from any irritation, ensuring a comfortable spray tan. Shaving or waxing too soon before your appointment time could result in small dark spots. Post-wax or shave, your pores are wide open, making them more likely to latch onto and fill with the tanning solution, creating these peppered dark spots. Adequate rest time for the skin between hair removal and tanning is critical.
TAKE A SHOWER (RIGHT BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT) – Having clean, sweat-free skin before your spray tan appointment will set you up for success. Sweat has a tendency to sit on the skin and can create a barrier between the tanning solution and your skin, making it more difficult for the solution to absorb in said area. This can result in unevenness. The perfect time to get a spray tan is right after a shower when your skin cells are hydrated and ready to absorb the tan evenly.
NO LOTION OR OILS (DAY OF) – While hydrated skin is an important part of a stunning spray tan, avoid applying any lotions or oils prior to your appointment. These products create an extra barrier for the tanning solution to penetrate through – and, as you’re probably learning, the more hurdles layered on top of the skin, the more uneven the spray tan becomes. Trust that your pre-spray tan shower will give your skin more than enough hydration for a flawless, realistically golden look.
SKIP THE DEODORANT (DAY OF) – Oftentimes the ingredients in most deodorants or antiperspirants have an interesting reaction to spray-tanning solution – two words: green armpits. It’s smartest to leave your underarms au natural for your appointment to avoid a potential color reaction. Either way, no fear, as your esthetician (hello!) will use a cleansing wipe to remove any excess deodorant and prepare the underarm area for the spray tan before the tanning solution is sprayed.
WEAR DARK, LOOSE CLOTHING (DAY OF) – Tight clothing can cause creasing in your spray tan. Any piece of clothing that rubs or bunches close to the skin has the potential to cause lines and creasing in the tan as it develops. We recommend that you wear loose-fitting clothing (e.g., sweat or lounge pants, hoodies, loose t-shirts, sweatshirts, or tank tops) to your tanning appointment and continue to do so over the hours following your appointment, while your tan develops. This will prevent your tanning solution from streaking and wiping off while it is settling into the skin surface. It is also recommended to choose clothing that is darker in color, as light clothing will stain (however, the majority of these stains will come out in the wash). While your tan is developing it is best to give it room to breathe.
Post-Spray Tan Care
AVOID CRYING & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY – Once you’ve been hand-sprayed and have exited your appointment, over the course of the next several hours (while your tan fully develops), moisture will become your worst enemy. Any moisture, particularly perspiration or tears, can fall down the face and body – creating unpleasant, drip-shaped streaking. If you were looking for a reason to take a rest-day, spray tan day is the perfect excuse!
(*Pro-Tip: We recommend that you avoid watching any sad movies (e.g., Steel Magnolias, anything made by Pixar, Marley & Me, and The Pursuit of Happiness) following your spray tan appointment.)
PAT DRY, DO NOT RUB, AFTER SHOWERING – When your tan has fully developed, as per your esthetician’s instructions, you will do a full body rinse in the shower with warm water. No soap or scrubbing. Excess tanning solution will wash off the body and flow down the drain (do not worry, this is normal). Upon leaving the shower, when you grab your towel to dry off, remember to lightly pat the skin dry with your towel instead of rubbing it dry. Excessive rubbing will remove the developed tan from the area of contact. This happens most often with the facial area. It is best not to rub or exfoliate spray-tanned skin until you are ready to say goodbye.
HYDRATION IS KEY FOR LONGEVITY – Once your spray tan has set and you have rinsed with warm water, you will want to keep your skin hydrated. We recommend using a non-oil-based moisturizer. Moisturizing keeps the skin supple and prevents the tan from craping into chapped or rough skin on the body.
AVOID ACTIVE INGREDIENTS – A great tip to keep a spray tan even on the body and face is to avoid using skin care products with AHA’s and BHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids). While acids can be a beautiful addition to any skincare routine, they don’t always pair well with spray tans. If your goal is to keep your spray tan long-lasting or extra even-toned for an upcoming event, it is best to avoid these ingredients.
Thank you so much for reading our tips for spray tans! If you have more questions, don’t be afraid to give us a call at 402-932-5959 to ask one of our technicians more questions. We hope to see you soon for your tan!