Prep & Aftercare
Everything you need to know for the perfect spray tan
Shower at least 3 hours before your appointment.
Make sure your skin is clean and free of sweat or product buildup.
Shave, wax, and exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment.
This gives your pores time to close and lets amino acids rebuild — both are key for an even, lasting tan. Focus on rough areas like elbows, knees, ankles, armpits, feet, and knuckles. Use an exfoliating mitt or dry brush for best results. Exfoliation is the most important prep step — it’s what helps your tan stay smooth and last up to 10 days.
Skip lotions and oil-based products the day before your appointment.
These can leave residue that prevents your tan from developing properly. Avoid lotion, body wash, shaving cream, wax, or anything oil-based for 24 hours before your tan.
Arrive with clean, product-free skin.
No lotion, deodorant, sunscreen, perfume, or makeup on your skin the day of your tan.
Moisturize daily leading up to your appointment (just not the day of).
Well-hydrated skin tans better and more evenly.
Undergarments optional.
You can tan with or without undergarments or a swimsuit — whatever makes you most comfortable.
Dress for your glow.
After your tan, wear loose, dark clothing to avoid rubbing or staining.
Avoid moisture while your tan develops.
No sweating, showering, or getting wet during the development period. If it’s raining, wear long sleeves and pants to protect your tan.
No creams or makeup during development.
Keep your skin completely bare until your rinse time.
Sleep in long, loose clothes if your tan develops overnight.
This helps prevent skin-on-skin transfer or uneven spots.
Follow your artist’s rinse time.
Depending on your solution, you’ll rinse between 1–5 hours (rapid) or 8–12 hours (classic) — follow Brooklyn’s recommendation for your session.
First rinse: only water.
Rinse until the water runs clear — no soap for your first shower. After that, use gentle, tan-safe cleansers only.
Moisturize daily.
Hydration is the secret to a long-lasting glow. We recommend Hempz, Native, Method, Cetaphil, Honest, Aveeno (fragrance-free), Raw Sugar, and Aleavia for tan-safe moisture.
Be gentle with your skin.
Avoid hot tubs, saunas, chlorine, and long hot showers, as well as exfoliating scrubs or harsh loofahs that can cause your tan to fade unevenly. Skip lotions, soaps, or washes with mineral oils, petroleum, or alcohol — and steer clear of brands like Dove, Bath & Body Works, Olay, EOS, Dial, and Irish Spring. Shave only when necessary, using a razor without a moisture strip, and avoid waxing until your tan has fully faded.