How to Prep for and Maintain a Spray Tan

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.