DAY BEFORE YOUR TAN

Hair Removal:

Shave or wax 12–24 hours before your appointment. This gives your skin time to calm and prevents the tanning solution from settling into open pores, which can create dark dots or irritation. Never exfoliate the day of your tan.

Spa Services:

Complete all manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, and any other treatments 12+ hours before your appointment.

Shower + Exfoliation:

Shower using a spray-tan safe soap (list below), then exfoliate your entire body with an exfoliating mitt or dry brush only.

Avoid: loofahs, washcloths, salt scrubs, sugar scrubs, or anything oily.

Proper exfoliation removes dead skin and prevents patchiness once your tan develops.

Important:

Do NOT use Dove, Dial, Olay, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, (the list goes on) or other heavily fragranced/harsh soaps before or after your tan.

Timing Tip:

For your best color, schedule your spray tan 48 hours before the event or day you want to look your best.

DAY OF YOUR TAN

Arrive With Clean Skin:

Your skin must be free of lotions, oils, deodorant, perfume, and makeup. Any residue creates a barrier and can cause uneven or streaky results.

Showering Day-Of:

A quick rinse is okay just skip the soap and keep the water cool.

For best results, shower 12–24 hours beforehand. If a rinse is absolutely needed same day, give yourself 6 hours minimum before your appointment.

Avoid Hot Water:

Hot showers open your pores, making it easier for the solution to settle into them and create dark spots.

What to Wear:

Come in or bring loose-fitting clothing and sandals, crocks or similar. 

Avoid leaving your appointment in a bras, underwear, shorts, dresses, tank tops, jeans, tight leggings, or any shoe that rubs or is tight on your feet.

The looser, the better for an even development.

POST-CARE

While your tan is developing -- Hands Off!

Avoid touching your skin before your first rinse. Bronzer/DHA can transfer and give you tanned palms / finger tips.

If you do touch your skin, use a baby wipe or makeup wipe ASAP. (Hand sanitizer works too, just use it only on the palms)

Stay Dry:

Avoid sweating, water, crying (yes, even tears!), or showering for at least 8 hours or as instructed. Water of any kind will cause streaking before the tan has set.

First Rinse:

Shower at your designated time using lukewarm water only, no soap, no loofahs, no washcloths.

Rub all areas with your hands only while rinsing off the bronzer.

Pat dry with a towel.

During your first rinse:

🚫 No soap/bodywash 

🚫 No hair washing

🚫 No loofahs/washcloths 

🚫 No hot water

🚫 No shaving

Hands + lukewarm water only!

Moisturize:

Moisturize immediately after your first rinse if you used an 8 hour solution or after your 24 hour shower the next day if you used a rapid solution. Hydrated skin = a smoother, longer lasting tan.

Color Development:

DHA continues developing for 24 hours.

Example: If you tan at 10 a.m., you’ll reach full color at 10 a.m. the next day.

To Prolong Your Glow:

Avoid excessive sweating, long hot showers, shaving, chlorine, hot tubs, and saunas as these all fade your tan faster.

SPRAY-TAN SAFE SOAPS & BODY WASHES

(Use before AND after your tan!)

BB K!ST by Bronzed Bella

All-natural goat milk bars designed specifically for sunless tanning, safe ingredients, gentle cleanse, and doubles as shaving cream without stripping your color.

Store-Bought Options:

• Native

• Aveeno

• CeraVe

• Shea

• Dr. Bronner’s

• Method

• Majestic Pure

• Puracy

• Cetaphil

• Mrs. Meyer’s

• Love Beauty & Planet

Why it matters: ingredients in your soap can strip your tan, pull orange, or make your skin exfoliate faster. A spray tan only colors the top layer of skin, anything that makes that layer shed makes your tan fade prematurely.

KEEPING YOUR TAN LOOKING AMAZING

Hydrated skin holds a tan longer and fades more evenly.

Use a gentle, tan-safe lotion daily.

Favorite recommendation:

Hempz Body Lotions — I carry multiple scents in the salon and they’re incredible for keeping your glow deep and even.

Drink plenty of water!! Hydrated skin from the inside makes a huge difference too.

INGREDIENTS/PRODUCTS TO AVOID

These can strip, fade, or disrupt your tan:

• Mineral oil

• Acne washes

• Strong fragrances

• Retin-A, AHAs, glycolic acid

• Toners

• Dove, Dial, Bath & Body Works, VS products

• Most essential oils

• Anti-aging products

• Hair removal products

• Petroleum

• Paraffins

• Paraffinum Liquidum

• Ceresine

• Many makeup removers