How to Prep for a Spray Tan and Make It Last Longer

Key Takeaways

Proper preparation is essential for an even, long-lasting tan. This includes exfoliating your entire body with a scrub, focusing on dry areas like knees and elbows, at least 24 hours before your appointment. Shaving should also be done at this time, as doing so after your tan can strip the color away.

Arrive at your appointment with clean skin. This means you should shower at least four hours prior to allow your pores to close, and you must avoid applying any deodorant, moisturizer, perfume, or makeup. These products can act as a barrier to the tanning solution, causing uneven patches or discoloration.

Post-tan maintenance is focused on hydration and gentle care. Wait the recommended 6-8 hours before your first shower, use lukewarm water, and only use a gentle body wash. After that first rinse, moisturize your skin daily with an oil-free lotion to prolong the life of your tan and ensure it fades evenly.

Spray Tan Prep and Maintenance Tips

Tip 1: Shave and Exfoliate Before Your Tan

If you want your spray tan to come out streak-free and to last longer, you have to put in some work ahead of time. Think of it as a relaxing ritual, a chance to care for yourself while also setting the stage for flawless results. Exfoliation is the key to an even spray tan, as dead or flaky skin can leave you with patches and streaks. According to Sophie Evans, ST. TROPEZ Skin Finishing Expert and Celebrity Self Tanner, you should start exfoliating three days ahead of your spray tan and plan for your last exfoliation session to be 24 hours before your appointment. “Exfoliation should reveal fresh new skin cells and remove any and all old self-tan color,” she previously told Makeup.com. 

Try the Kiehl’s Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub to slough away dead skin, focusing on drier areas like the knees and elbows, and be sure to shave at the end of your shower once your hair follicles have softened. Remember that shaving after your spray tan session will only strip away the color quicker, so it’s important to shave beforehand.

Tip 2: Don't Shower Right Before Your Appointment

Showering the same day as your spray tan is fine — just be sure to do it at least four hours before your appointment. Your pores are enlarged after a warm shower or bath, so the tanning solution can sit in your pores and create dark-looking spots.

Tip 3: Remember to Remove Your Makeup

If you plan on tanning your face as well, you shouldn’t wear any makeup during your spray tan session. Your foundation can act as a barrier for the solution, and once you go home to cleanse your face, the tanner will wash right down the drain. Most tanning salons will offer makeup-removing wipes, or you can bring some with you (we love the CeraVe Hydrating Makeup Removing Plant-Based Wipes). If you choose not to tan your face but you still want to match your body’s glow, try mixing the L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops into your moisturizer every day.

Tip 4: Skip the Deodorant and Moisturizer (Except On Dry Areas)

Deodorant can also act as a barrier to the spray tan solution (and in some cases, can even react with the solution and turn a different color), which will result in patchy underarms. Avoid this potential blunder by skipping the deodorant before your appointment. You’ll also want to avoid moisturizer for the most part, as well as any other oils or fragrances that may cling to your skin and result in an uneven tan. “Moisturizer left on the skin dilutes the self-tan color, which is why we never apply lotion all over,” Evans told Makeup.com. 

Though it may seem somewhat counterintuitive, you should moisturize “problem areas,” meaning areas where the skin is drier, immediately before your spray tan (most salons will provide moisturizer for you to use). This includes your elbows, knees, feet, and hands. The moisturizer will dilute the tanning formula in these spots, which are more prone to over-developing and getting too dark.

Tip 5: Wait at Least Six to Eight Hours Before Showering

Follow the salon’s instructions for when to shower post-tan so you don’t rinse off the solution too soon, but generally it will be somewhere in the six to eight hour window. Once you do shower, you’re going to notice that the water looks muddy. This is just the cosmetic bronzing solution used in the tan that allows the technician to know where they are spraying. Make sure not to shave or exfoliate during your first shower. Only use body wash to gently cleanse and let the water run until it turns clear. Pro tip: Hot water will strip your tan faster, so it’s a good idea to shower with lukewarm water.

Once you’ve showered, you can usually go to bed without worrying about staining your sheets. However, every spray tanning solution is different, so check with your technician to know when you can safely tuck in without staining your PJs or bed.

Tip 6: Moisturize Every Day After Spray Tanning

The Art of the "Quiet Tan": 2026s Spray Tan Trends

Spray tanning is evolving, with 2026 ushering in a new era of subtlety and skin-loving formulas. Gone are the days of deep, dramatic bronzing. This year’s biggest trend is all about embracing a softer, more natural approach to sunless tanning. If you’re looking to keep your glow understated yet flawless, here’s what to know:

• Skinimalism Tanning 
  The #skinimalism trend has arrived in sunless tanning with more people requesting subtle warmth over deep bronze hues. This “quiet tan” approach focuses on evening out skin tone for a hint of radiance instead of drama. If this sounds like you, ask your technician for a lighter formula or shorter development time for this modern chic look.
• “Safe Tanning” with Beneficial Ingredients 
  Many of us want spray tans that do more than bronze. We want formulas packed with hydrators like hyaluronic acid or antioxidants for extra skin benefits. Don’t hesitate to ask salons about their ingredients. Many now offer clean beauty-inspired blends designed for both safety and nourishment.

Remember, a little planning goes a long way toward achieving (and maintaining) a flawless sunless tan. From prepping mindfully to embracing new trends like “quiet tans,” today’s spray tans offer customizable radiance for every style preference. Ready to glow? Start prepping now for luminous results that last.