A great spray tan starts before we even arrive. The condition of your skin coming in determines how evenly the solution absorbs, how deep the color develops, and how long the whole thing lasts. The good news is that prep is simple. It just has to actually happen.
This is everything you need to know, in the order you need to know it.
Results from a recent GCA session. Prep matters.
The Week Before
You have a full week to set your skin up. This is when exfoliation happens, not the morning of. Exfoliating too close to your appointment can leave skin sensitive and actually cause uneven absorption. Do it two to three days out and let your skin settle.
Exfoliate
All you need is an exfoliating mitt. Use it dry or in the shower on your entire body, paying extra attention to knees, elbows, ankles, and the backs of your heels. These spots grab pigment and hold it, which is how you end up with noticeably darker patches where you did not ask for them. A thorough pass two days before your appointment is the single most effective thing you can do for a flawless result.
We recommend this one. It is what we send our clients home with and it does exactly what it needs to do.
Shave or Wax
If you shave, do it 24 hours before your appointment, not the morning of. Freshly shaved skin has open pores and micro-abrasions that can cause the solution to absorb unevenly. If you wax, do it at least 48 hours before. The same logic applies, just more so.
Nails
If you are getting a manicure or pedicure, do it before your tan. Nail polish remover will lift the color from your skin and leave uneven patches around your fingers and toes. Get your nails done first, let them dry fully, and then come to us.
The Day Of
The day of your appointment, your skin should be completely clean and completely bare. Nothing on it. That means no moisturizer, no body oil, no perfume, no deodorant, and no makeup on areas being tanned. All of these create a barrier between the solution and your skin and will affect how evenly the color develops.
If you need to shower, do it the night before — not the morning of. Showering too close to your appointment can open your pores and affect how the solution absorbs. Come in clean, dry, and bare.
Clean, dry, bare skin is the canvas. Everything else is technique.
What to Wear to Your Appointment
Loose and dark. That is the full answer, but here is why it matters: the bronzer in the solution transfers to fabric before your first rinse. Anything tight will leave pressure marks. Anything pale will stain. Wear something you can remove easily, something with no tight elastic or waistbands, and something you would not be upset about if it picked up a little color.
A loose dark dress, a flowy set, or dark wide-leg trousers and a relaxed top all work well. Flip flops or open sandals only. Socks will leave lines on your feet and ankles that are not a good look for anyone.
Your Bikini Line
This one is worth saying clearly. Whatever you are wearing during your appointment is where your tan line will fall. If you want a specific bikini line for an upcoming trip or shoot, wear that exact bikini to your appointment. Showing up in a sports bra and biker shorts means that is where the lines land. Think about what you want to look like in your swimwear and dress accordingly.
Before and after. The tan develops over 8 to 24 hours — what you do in that window matters.
After Your Appointment
The hours between your appointment and your first rinse are when the DHA is doing its work. Your job is to stay cool, dry, and loose. Avoid anything that causes sweating, friction, or moisture on your skin during this window.
What to Wear After
The same rules apply as getting there: loose, dark, nothing tight. A flowy dark maxi dress is the easiest option and many of our clients keep one specifically for tan days. If you prefer a two-piece, loose dark shorts and a relaxed top work just as well. Avoid waistbands that sit tightly against your skin, bra underwires, leggings, or any fabric that compresses. These will all leave marks while the tan is still developing.
At night, sleep in loose dark pajamas or a big dark t-shirt. Put a dark towel down on your pillowcase and under you if you are doing an overnight development. The bronzer will wash out of most fabrics, but your good white sheets are not worth the experiment.
Your First Rinse
Rinse with warm water only. No soap, no body wash on the first rinse. You will see the bronzer wash off and briefly panic because the water running off you looks very dramatic. This is normal. The bronzer is just the guide color. The actual DHA tan underneath is still there and still developing. Pat dry gently with a dark towel and moisturize immediately after.
- AHAs, BHAs, and retinol — they accelerate fading significantly
- Oil-based body washes (Dove, most drugstore formulas) — break down DHA
- Exfoliating mitts or loofahs after your tan is on
- Long baths or soaking in water
- Chlorine pools and saltwater in the first 48 hours
- Spray tanning over dry, unexfoliated skin
Products We Love
Two products, that is all you actually need for prep.
- Exfoliate 2 to 3 days before, not the morning of
- Shave or wax at least 24 to 48 hours before your appointment
- Get nails done before, not after
- Shower the morning of with an oil-free body wash
- No moisturizer, deodorant, perfume, or makeup on the day of
- Wear the bikini you want your tan line in
- Wear loose, dark clothing to and from your appointment
- Flip flops or open sandals only, no socks
- Sleep in loose dark clothing on dark sheets if developing overnight
- First rinse: warm water only, no soap, pat dry and moisturize immediately
That is genuinely everything. None of it is complicated. It just has to be done in the right order, at the right time, so the tan you walk out with is the one you wanted when you booked.