How to get ready for spray tanning session

If you area seasoned tanner who uses self tanner always or very new to self tanning (spray tanning) , we all have lots of questions about how to prepare and what to expect and what to do once you have your tan , I hope I can help you to ease your mind a little with this post , should you have any question please do not hesitate to email, I would be more then happy to help you!

Day before your spray tan:

Shave, wax or use depilatory to remove unwanted body hair.

Exfoliate entire body with combination of emulsified sugar scrub and exfoliating gloves

Make sure you have everything you need, for your spray tanning session, dark color swim suite( unless your spray tech offers disposable,) Lip balms, hair ties and poncho or umbrella, loose fitting cloths for after session and a big towel for your car seat to avoid staining( just in case)

Day of spray tanning:

Shower with mild body wash that rinse off clean without any residue.

Don’t apply any body lotion, creams or oils unless you have very dry skin, then only apply where dry patches are.

Don’t apply any deodorant or any make up

make sure you wear lose fitting cloths that are dark in color.

Always arrive at sunless spa location for your appointment little early so you can spend some time getting to know what happens, get acquainted with your air brush tech so that you feel comfortable during the session.

Just before your spray tan secession at the salon/spa:

Now you are in the spay tanning room at the spa/.salon.

Change in your disposable or swimsuit

Remove contact lenses, jewelry

Your air brush technician will check your skin and might ask you to use per tan prep spray, it may be sprayed by spray bottle, or give you a wipes to clean up or spray the liquid with air brush or HVLP and then pat dry with paper towel, this will help to remove any residue from lotion , perspiration or make up and skin is now ready for spray tanning.

Your hair will be tied up with a clip and covered with hair net. A little trick , they might give you a little hair conditioner , apply that on the exposed hairline to prevent any discoloration.

Apply lip balm on your lips to make sure any solution mist will be easy to wipe off after your session.

Salon will also provide you with sticky sandals for the feet and some type of barrier cream to apply on your feet, palm of your hands, nails, ears, elbows, hands ,top of the feet, and knees to prevent discoloration.

Insert nose filter as per your technician’s instruction

Now you are ready for your session, it will take 15 to 20 minutes for a complete process.

Right after your spray tanning session:

Remove the sticky feet from your feet,nose filters if used.

wipe off lip balm from the lips

Use bronzing ( tinted powder) if available at the salon or just a plain powder will do to help with any stickiness on the elbows, neck but first make sure your spray is dry

Wait 5 to 7 minutes before getting dress

Use wet wipes to wipe off palms of your hand to clean to avoid any discoloration.

If it is raining please be careful to avoid any water splashing on your freshly sprayed tan

Now you are ready to head for your day or night depend what time was your appointment , make sure you put towel on the car seat.

Few things to avoid right after spray tan session:

Avoid any water activity

Any strenuous exercise

Any thing that makes you perspire

No Shower until 8 hours

5 to 6 hours later your Spray tanning session:

In 3 to 4 hours you will start to notice color of your tan is getting darker , that means that DHA started to develop

After 8 hours later you are ready to wash off your initial color guide ( bronze color that gives instant color)

You can also decide to keep longer and or if you had a night appointment you can leave it for a night just make sure you have a dark color bed sheet to avoid any staining .

First shower after spray tanning:

Get ready for your shower as normal , use very mild moisturizing body wash , very lightly , do not use any wash cloths or poof , just gentle normal shower

You will see some of the color washing off, please don’t alarmed , that is just a color guide that gives instant tan and also helps technician to spray with ease as they can see where they have spray and gives a smooth even spray.

Once done with shower please gently pat dry not to scrub , don’t forget how self tan works DHA( self tanning ingredient) reacts with the free amino groups of the amino acid, peptides and proteins from the upper most layer of the stratum corneum that reaction produces tan color, so more you care for your skin better your self tan will be.

Apply good moisturizer that are made for using with self tanner , to keep skin moisturized and plumed , dry skin exfoliate faster and results in blotchy uneven tan.

Your technician will also recommend some tan extender lotions , apply this as per your techs instruction or every three days after your first tanning session, this helps to rejuvenate your tan( ask your tech for more info)

How long will your spray tan last:

This will depend on every individual skin type , it varies person to person but there are something’s you can do to help.

Moisturize your skin with your choice of moisturizer, body butters or light moisturizer, make sure they formulated to work with self tanner .

Every three to four day do a very light exfoliation with a poof or a wash cloth to even out skin tone, this is the day you use any product with self tanning agent ( DHA) in it, to even out any faded areas, this will help to refresh your tan.

Certain part of your body will need more attention like face, feet ,hands.

Ask your technician any questions or call us if you need any further information.

Hope this helps a little before you go for next spray tan session,

Happy Spray Tanning!