As always, the flawless spray tan you desire can only be achieved with the right amount of prep work. Skin prepping makes it possible for the tanning solution to be applied evenly and with a realistic appearance that does not contain unsightly streaks or blotches.
Without preparation, any dirt or dead skin will inhibit the tanning process and result in the tan fading and looking patchy far sooner than required. Painstaking yet vital pre-tanning tasks such as exfoliation, shaving, and lotion application are key to a successful application as they allow the solution to adhere properly to the skin.
With the right prep, you’ll be brightened up with a new glow that lifts your confidence while making you look as if you have just come from the sun. Want to know all about it? Read on!
Why Proper Prep Is Important For A Spray Tan?
Preparing helps to make your spray tan look smoother. It also helps to make it look even and natural.
The tanning solution sits in better which makes the tan more uniform. It’s not just about what tan you apply, but how it sits on your skin also matters. After all, you don’t want to look two-toned!
When you don’t take good preparation, you end up getting streaky tan lines, blotches, uneven color, and performance.
Without proper care, dirt, dead skin, and grime buildup affect the way the tan sits on the skin. This causes premature fading and patchiness in the final tan.
So, take your time and prep your skin to achieve the smoothest, undetectable tan ever and slay your summer!
Best Way To Prep For A Spray Tan
The way you prepare for your skin before your spray tan session matters, and here’s how you take the best preparation for the most flawless tan.
Exfoliate the Skin
Exfoliation is a must before your spray tan. It helps to remove all the buildup, dead skin, and dirt, leaving a smooth canvas behind. You should exfoliate at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Choose an exfoliation glove or African mesh cloth to have a gentle session. Just soak your glove in warm water and scrub. Avoid using physical scrubs with oils and grains which can leave residue and micro-tears in the skin.
Don’t overdo it with chemical exfoliation and keep it minimum before your appointment. If you want a budget-friendly option, try using sugar as the exfoliating agent.
Get Done with Shaving/Waxing
Waxing or shaving before your appointment can give you the smoothest spray tan. The solution can cling to the hairs, making it look uneven. If you’re a hairy gal, make sure to do so. Opt for wax strips or hair removal creams to carefully scrape off the hair.
If waxing isn’t your thing, use shaving oil and a high-quality razor to get a smooth shave and avoid strawberry legs. Wash off the oil residue afterward. Make sure to do it at least 24-48 hours before the appointment, as the skin might be sensitive.
Stay Away from Lotions and Oils
Don’t use any moisturizer or oils on your skin before your appointment. These products form a barrier, which prevents the tan from sticking well. Hence, avoiding it altogether is the move.
However, if you’re a dry-skin girlie, slug your skin with a thick cream the night before to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. But make sure to wash your face gently before you leave for the tan.
Put on Loose and Dark Clothing
Don’t put on your favorite dress on the day of your tan. Be as comfortable as you can. The girl mantra is the uglier you get in, the prettier you step out. So, wear baggy clothes and a loose dark shirt, and go ahead.
Tight clothing can mess with the tan and cause smudging, and wearing white will be a nightmare as it turns a shade of terror.
Level Up the Hydration
Now don’t get it confused with moisturizing. They are not the same! Moisturizing is a way of locking the moisture in with a barrier. While you should avoid moisturizing since it uses oils, keeping it hydrated is crucial.
If your skin stays dry, the tan can settle in those rough patches, resulting in an even tan. Use a toner or a water-based moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
You should also focus on drinking water and keeping your body hydrated as well. When you do so, the color stays for longer and more uniformly. Let this be your excuse to drink some water, queen!
Pick the Correct Shade
Selecting the correct shade of the spray tan determines how your skin will look. You should focus not only on how light or dark shade you should get but also on its undertones.
For people with a cooler undertone, go for a light or ash-brown colour. For warmer undertones, like caramel or warm brown shades.
And if you’re a neutral undertone person, you can experiment with a bunch of shades, from cooler browns to warmer, depending on your preferences.
How To Prep For A Spray Tan At The Day Of Appointment
Now that we have nailed the preparation, let’s understand what you should do on the big day! All the prep matters to this, so pay close attention to this:
Don’t Wear Any Makeup or Deodorant
We all want to look beautiful, I get it. You’ll be tempted to pick that lipstick, but hold that thought. You need an empty canvas for the perfect tan.
Any extra product only messes with the solution, giving a streaky tan. So, avoid the makeup and the deodorant, we’re going to square one!
Skip the Gym
Treat your tan day as a cheat day to skip the gym. Sweating before the tan will make the tan fade and sit unevenly. So, it’s best to avoid working out or any heavy-duty task that leaves you sweating before the day.
Remove All the Accessories
When we say we want to be a canvas, we mean it. This also means no jewelry, accessories, or anything. The solution will cling to the jewelry, leaving tan lines, which would look bad. So, your best bet is to avoid it.
Keep Your Hair Up!
Keep your hair away from this session. You don’t want to tan your hair, right? Bring a hair tie or a claw clip to keep your hair in place. Those pesky strands can be the cause of leaving in streaks.
And if you’re a blonde girl, you wouldn’t want to deal with the horror of dyeing it.
Keep your Schedule Empty
Keep your schedule empty before your appointment. You would need ample amount of time to set the tan. Hold off plans for later, reschedule things and focus on just the spray tan only.
Also, set your appointment on a day when it doesn’t rain to avoid any water from messing with the tan.
The Choice Of Shoes
Lastly, we haven’t forgotten your feet. It’s ideal to wear sandals or flip-flops instead of tight shoes. It can affect the tan and cause discomfort on your feet. So, opt for comfortable shoes for an even tan and peaceful mind.
Spray Tan Aftercare: What to Do and Avoid
Congratulations, the gorgeous tan on you is set! But, we got to make sure to keep it vibrant and slaying. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
Don’t be Tempted to Shower soon
Spray tans can be unpleasant, and you might be tempted to shower. However, you need at least 6-9 hours for the tan to set. It’s best to shower the next day or wait 24 hours for the best result, as it deepens over time.
Use a Gentle Body Wash
When you take a shower, wash the body with gentle cleansers. This will help the tan to stay intact. Use a microfiber washcloth to gently clean the body. The loofah or exfoliating gloves can lift off the tan, making it uneven.
Pat Skin Dry After Showers
Don’t rub your skin after a shower. It will tug into the skin, causing the tan to fade quicker. Instead, pat your skin dry gently. However, if you see some parts of your tan being darker, a light rubbing can fade some, making it even.
Keep the Skin Moisturized
Moisturizing your skin is vital to keeping a tan intact. Make sure to use a water-based moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. Your tan will also look fresh too. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid aids in deep hydration.
Stay away from Chlorinated Pools and Hot Tub
Don’t be tempted to get in a pool or hot tub with your freshly tanned skin. The chlorine in the water will instantly bleach the tan out.
If you plan to get in, use a thick cream and lather it all over your body. It creates a film that protects your tan from fading. Keep the time limited.
Don’t Sweat Too Much
Don’t do any heavy duty task or workout at least 2 days after your tan. Excess sweating can cause the tan to fade quicker.
However, if you’re someone with Hyperhidrosis, keep yourself cool and stay indoors. Use paper towels to dab off excess sweat and wear light clothes as much as possible.
How Long Does a Spray Tan Last?
Generally, spray tans last only about a week. If you have pale skin, it might be shorter, while darker skin might hold onto it a bit longer.
It is because the skin’s cell rejuvenation is constantly occurring, and it would keep shedding, causing the tan to fade away overtime.
Other factors like frequent showers, outdoor activities, working out can also affect the lifespan of the tan. One tip that I would like to share is that if you start to see uneven spots, just scrub it away till it’s even.
You can limit the amount of activities to keep your spray tan last longer, however it’s duration never exceeds 10-15 days.
Spray Tan Before and After: What to Expect
Before the spray tan, your skin will be at its natural colour, with patches and spots. If you exfoliate and keep your skin hydrated, your skin will be ready for an even tan application.
During the process, the professional will spray the tan all over your body.
After the tan, the skin will appear way darker than you expect it to be. It is because the tanning solution develops gradually for up to 24 hours to reveal the final colour.
It will deepen before you wash it off. After doing so, you will be left with a natural uniform tan with no spots.
But, don’t expect it to stay for a long time as it might start fading at around the 5th-day mark.
Bottom Line
To achieve a flawless bronzing effect in a spray tan, knowing how to prep for a spray tan is essential. Exfoliation, shaving, and the absence of lotion on the skin are important for the deposition of tanning solution in a smooth manner without any streaks.
When applying a spray tan, the use of loose fit, dark clothing, and skin moisturizers will improve the comfort and effectiveness of the procedure. Correct skin preparation and not neglecting skin maintenance after the tan will give the person an even and natural tan. This will make one feel beautiful each day of the week since it will be intact for a longer period.
