Exfoliation is key - not only for spray tanning, but for your skin health overall. 

Spray Tan Perks: Turns your skin into a clean slate for your spray tan consultant, Results are a flawless tan with an even fadeout, Exfoliate with an exfoliant designed specifically for spray tanning to increase the life of your tan by up to 3 days! We offer exfoliating mitts and amazing scrubs that cater to spray tanning prep!

Overall Benefits of Exfoliation: Unclogs Pores, Prevents Acne, Helps Other Skincare Products Penetrate Deeper, Evens Skin Tone, Boosts circulation and cellular health to reveal radiant skin, Increases cell turnover for a fresh glow, Stimulates collagen synthesis to improve skin's texture and lessen appearance of fine lines/wrinkle

Don’t use self tanning products- It’s not easy being pasty, especially when you’re used to a bronze glow, but resist the temptation to use self-tanner and even tinted moisturizer. These products can leave your spray tan looking uneven and patchy as it fades

Don’t take a hot shower- A hot shower might feel relaxing, but the steam will open all your pores and allow your spray tan to settle into your skin unevenly. This will leave you with brown dots all over your body for about a week—not exactly the look you were hoping for!

Don’t wax or shave right before your appointment - While both hair removal techniques might seem like a harmless part of your grooming routine, they should be done at least 12-24 hours before you get a spray tan. When it comes to waxing, you risk leftover wax being left on your skin, which, if not properly removed, can leave untanned lighter spots on the skin.

Don’t get a facial - If you’re having a total TLC day, choose whether you want to have a facial or a spray tan—just don’t have both. Facials should be avoided right before a spray tan because the tanner will go into the open pores on the skin and create blackhead-looking spots on the skin.

Don’t get a laser treatment - A spray tan should never be done after a skin-care treatment that uses lasers. This is because as the top few layers of the skin peels off, the tan will go with it. Lasers may also leave dry areas or spots on the skin and the tanner will get darker in these areas. For these reasons, we recommend waiting until your skin has completely stopped peeling post–laser treatment before getting your spray tan.

Don’t tan outdoors or in a tanning booth - Whether intentional or a mere result of spending too much time outside in the sun (sans sunscreen), having a real tan can cause your spray tan to look unnatural. This is especially a no-no if you’re sunburned, as a spray tan will only give your tan a reddish or orange hue. Plus, if your sunburned skin peels, your spray tan will peel off as well, leaving you multicolored.

Tanning beds are no safe bet, either. While you might think creating a base tan will make your spray tan results last longer, the only thing you’re really achieving is burning the top layer of your skin. No matter what, if your skin is peeling from any sort of burn, wait until the peeling stops before getting a spray tan.

Don’t apply acne medication- It might be part of your skin-care ritual, but it’s not a smart idea to use topical acne meds of any kind on your face or body prior to getting a spray tan. Most acne medication, including face washes containing salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide, will dry out the skin, which will affect the results of the tan. It may make the tan too dark in certain areas and peel off in others, resulting in uneven results. 

If your acne medication is unavoidable, she suggests simply not spraying your face and just having your body done. In addition, Oral acne medications, such as Accutane, may also cause severe drying of the skin, which can also affect the tan. It is recommended to not get a spray tan when using these medications, or take a pause on using them a few days before your spray until your tan has faded.

Don’t over exfoliate your skin - Exfoliating before your spray tan helps prepare the skin for an optimal tan, sheds dead skin cells, and reveals a fresh new slate. That said, don’t go haywire. Over exfoliating can cause irritation on the skin, little scratches, and excessive dryness. The tanner will develop darker in these areas, resulting in an uneven tan.

Do not receive a chemical peel - Do NOT schedule an appointment for airbrush or spray-on tanning to the area treated by the peel for at least 2 weeks post-treatment to insure the area is healed.

Don’t wear deodorant containing aluminum- Postpone putting on deodorant until after your spray tan. The aluminum makes your underarms turn green with a spray tan, which can potentially stay for a few days—not pretty. If you really need help battling B.O., we suggest using a deodorant without aluminum.

Yes, but you need to shower first! Showering before you get a spray tan is a must (just make sure it’s not a hot shower, stick to warm water). You don't want sweat, dirt, or oil on your skin because it can hinder the effectiveness of your spray tan. It may not be able to absorb evenly onto your skin, and the results can be patchy.