PREP & AFTERCARE
Proper preparation and aftercare are crucial to a good spray tan!
Pre-Tan Preparation:
Any Nail or Hair appointments need to be done prior to your spray tan session.
Shower, shave, and exfoliate the night prior to your appointment & do apply lotion afterwards. Use my recommended Norvell exfoliator and body wash for optimum results. I retail these products and can be purchased in studio. Visit the online shop to view & check pricing of my retail products. They will also be great to use for your aftercare of the tan. (Prices subject to change at anytime)
Make sure you scrub your entire body gently, but well, for a good exfoliation and removal of any soap, and hair washing/conditioner residue. Please don't use loofas, as they can make your tan develop streaky. An exfoliation scrub with a wash cloth works best.
Shave the day prior to your appointment. If you tan too soon after shaving or showering, you risk residue left over from razor that could cause your tan to be streaky and/not develop to full potential! Lotion well afterwards.
Wax at least 2 days prior to your spray tan treatment. The reason for this is that left over wax residue will block the absorption of the spray tanning solution. It's also important to note is that you will not want to wax after you tan because you will actually wax the spray tan off.
Don’t apply moisturizers, oils, perfume, makeup* or deodorant day of appointment, as they can effect tan development. Spray perfume on clothes not skin. LIGHT deodorant application is fine if you can't go with out (*ex. you have appt after work, make sure to mention to me if you applied, same for make up leave on and can remove at appt with a $2 spray tan friendly face wipe).
Please schedule any massage appointments for at least 48 hours before your appointment to ensure that the oils do not create a barrier to the spray tanning solution.
Don't use any anti-aging, retinal products like Retin-A on your skin for 2-3 days before your appointment. Week prior is preferred. They can cause unevenness and peeling.
If you have a sunburn, are peeling, or sunburned in the last month please note you should not spray with active or peeling burn, you wont be even. It accelerates peeling. Prior sunburned/peeled skin can show up uneven after being sprayed even if healed. It was damaged and is fresh and new skin so now it"ll take differently than the old.
Wear dark, loose, easily cleaned clothing, and loose footwear or flip flops to your appointment. (Wool, lycra, nylon, spandex, silk, rayon, and leather may stain.) Bring an old swimsuit or undergarment to tan in. You may tan topless or nude if you prefer. Men must wear undergarments or shorts.
Pull hair up and back in a hairclip or ponytail so it will be off of face and neck.
You will not be able to get wet or sweaty for 12-14 hours for a Regular Spray Tan, and between 2-4 hours for the Rapid Tan – so please plan accordingly.
Bring a towel to cover leather or light colored seats if your skin should come in contact.
If it is raining or snowing, bring an umbrella and proper outerwear. If you get rained or snowed on, you will streak or spot!
After-Tan Care:
Wear loose fitting clothing until your first shower, while your tan develops, and be very careful not to get wet. This includes if sleeping in the solution, sleep in loose fitting clothing also.
Don’t exercise heavily or get really sweaty in the first 24 hours after being sprayed. Your tan is fully developed at the 24hr mark, you may then exercise. Keep in mind sweat & friction are detrimental to your tan.
Your first shower should be a water-only rinse, as using soap on your tan in the first 24hrs stops its developing. Please use your hands to gently wash off the cosmetic bronzer, evenly rubbing over your entire body. Use luke warm water, and rinse for about 5 minutes. Do not pee in shower, this can cause your tan to streak.
At your second shower, wash with spray tan friendly products, I do retail great options. (Aveeno, Hempz, Shea Moisture, Pacifica, Jason's, Free & Clear etc.) Use your hands to wash with during each shower here on after until your ready to exfoliate off old tan.
Do NOT use Dove soap, or anything that says "renewing," "regenerating," "anti-aging," or "anti-acne". Victoria Secret, Bath & Body Works, & any highly scented soaps/lotions are not spray tan friendly. They have ingredients in them that will remove & prematurely fade your tan. Sulfate-free and natural products are best.
Color wash off in the shower is normal: this is only the color guide/cosmetic bronzer.
Pat (don’t rub) skin dry when drying off everytime.
Apply a moisturizer or body butter to shower damp skin. (NOT Curel, Dove, Victoria Secret, Bath&Body Works – these will fade tans!). You may moisturize then again before bed. I offer a variety of spray tan friendly products with and without color boosting extenders for purchase.
Apply moisturizer twice or more a day for the best & longest lasting results. (after showering and before bed minimum) If you'd like, you can use a tan extending lotion every day or every other day, but wash your palms with soap after use if not using a blending mitt, so that they don't stain.
Avoid exfoliating or waxing skin while you have your spray tan. This does include shaving. Do not use a loofah or scrub your skin. Some products can cause faster fading – highly scented soaps, products with sulfates, alcohol based products such as toners and astringents, products that cause exfoliation such as AHAs, BHAs, Retin-A, etc. (anti-aging, anti-acne, regenerating, renewing). Make sure that if and when you do shave, you do so with a sharp razor (without a moisture strip preferably) to avoid exfoliating skin. The more times you shave & shower with your tan the faster your color will fade. Use either body wash or hair conditioner instead of harsher shaving gels or creams.
Hot tubs, swimming pools, and even extended time in the ocean will take off your tan. If you plan on doing any swimming, apply a waterproof sunblock (I have spray tan friendly options), and only take quick dips. Rinse off with cool water after if possible. If a hot tub is definitely in your plans, a spray tan may not be advisable for you, at this time.
If you have any questions, please ask!