Day Before Tan:

Shave or wax any unwanted body hair at least 24 hours before your appointment. This allows time for your skin to calm down, ensuring a smooth and comfortable spray tan. Shaving or waxing too close to your session can cause the spray tan to seep into your pores, resulting in dark spots, and it may also irritate your skin, especially if it's sensitive.

Complete all spa treatments, including manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages, prior to your appointment.

Shower and exfoliate your entire body. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, which is crucial because without exfoliation, the skin can shed post-tan, causing uneven or patchy results. DO NOT use Dove, Dial. Olay, Bath & Body Works (& many other brands) soap before OR after your appointment.

For best results, schedule your sunless tan 48 hours before what ever day you're wanting to look your best for. 

(Please reach out for help with scheduling).

Day of Tan:

Arrive at your appointment with clean, bare skin, free from lotions, oils, makeup, perfumes, or deodorants. Any product left on your skin acts as a barrier, preventing the DHA (the ingredient that tans your skin) from penetrating the skin, which can leave you with a streaky or uneven tan. Showering the same day can be okay just skip the soap and keep the water cool. For best results 12-24 hours before your appointment is ideal. 6 hours if rinsing is crucial. After a warm shower or bath, your pores are enlarged, and the tanning solution may settle into your pores, causing dark spots. Please come in or bring dark, loose clothing and open-toed sandals. Avoid wearing a bra or underwear, if possible, to prevent excessive rubbing and to help keep your tan even. Remember, the looser, the better! AVOID shorts, dresses, tank tops and tight or laced shoes.

Post Care:

Avoid touching your skin before your first shower. The cosmetic bronzer/DHA may transfer to your palms, resulting in tanned palms. If you touch your skin, use a baby wipe or makeup wipe to clean your hands. A small amount of hand sanitizer will work too but just remember to keep it all on the palms only. 

Do not sweat, shower, or touch anything wet for at least 8 hours (or the instructed time) to allow the DHA to properly adhere and absorb into your skin. Getting wet before this time will result in streaks (this includes tears!).

Shower at the designated time using lukewarm water, with no soap, loofahs, or washcloths. Gently pat dry with a towel and MOISTURIZE! If you used a Rapid Solution, moisturize the following day. We will ensure you're aware of your rinse time and when to moisturize before leaving your appointment.

Remember, DHA needs 24 hours to fully develop, so if you tan at 10 a.m., you won’t reach your desired color depth until 10 a.m. the following day.

NOTE: To prolong your tan, avoid excessive sweating, showering, and shaving. Chlorine, hot tubs, and saunas will cause your tan to fade much faster.

Best Soaps & Body Wash to Use Before & After a Sunless Tan!

Many people assume the longevity of their tan is solely dependent on the spray tan solution or application. While that’s true to some extent, proper post-tan care has a significant impact on how long your tan lasts. One of the most important factors in extending your tan is the soap or body wash you use. Certain ingredients can strip your tan or cause your skin to exfoliate faster or worse, pull orange in your color due to the wrong ingredients in your soaps or lotions. Since a spray tan only affects the top layer of skin, any exfoliation will result in the tan fading premature.

So, should you use soap during your first shower? The answer is NO! It’s recommended to avoid soap, body wash, or any other products during your first shower after tanning. You want to allow the active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), to fully absorb into the skin. During this shower, use only lukewarm water to rinse off the bronzer with your hands and THOROUGHLY rub head to toe everywhere that was sprayed. Hands only! Loofahs can have soap residue and wash clothes can be a little too abrasive for that developing color.

With proper care, a spray tan can last 7-10 days. Ideally, use products that are as natural as possible, with minimal ingredients. Avoid mineral oil, essential oils, excessive fragrance, (the list goes on). Soaps and body washes with moisturizing ingredients will help keep your skin hydrated, extending the life of your tan and making the color look more natural and deeper.

🌱BB K!ST by Bronzed Bella offers seven 4oz All-Natural Goat Milk Soap Bars specifically formulated to cleanse and extend your sunless tan, while also being safe for your skin. You won’t have to worry about whether these ingredients are safe for your spray tan. Plus, it doubles as your shaving cream—just lather up and shave away without worrying about disrupting your tan!

Here are some store-bought body wash products considered spray tan-friendly:

• Native
• Aveeno
• CeraVe
• Shea
• Dr. Bronner’s
• Method
• Majestic Pure
• Puracy
• Cetaphil
• Mrs. Meyer’s
• Love Beauty & Planet

Many people don’t realize how crucial pre- and post-tan care is for achieving a flawless glow. Hydrated, moisturized skin not only absorbs the tan better but helps it last longer. To maintain your tan, be sure to use a lotion that won’t strip it away. My personal favorite and (in my opinion) the staple for hydrating spray tans are the Hempz Body Lotions. I offer 10+ scents in the salon! Certain ingredients can cause your skin to exfoliate, which will cause your tan to fade more quickly. Don’t forget to drink water and hydrate your skin from within to extend the life of your gorgeous glow!

Ingredients & Products to Avoid While You Have a Spray Tan:

• Mineral oil
• Acne wash
• Fragrances
• Facial washes with Retin-A, AHAs, or Glycolic acid
• Toners
• Dove/Dial/Bath & Body Works, VS, (the list goes on) products 
• Most essential oils
• Anti-aging products
• Hair removal products
• Makeup removal products
• Petroleum
• Paraffins
• Paraffinum
• Liquidum
• Ceresine

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!