How to Prep for a Spray Tan: Tips for a Flawless, Long-Lasting Tan
A flawless spray tan does not start in the booth. It starts days before. Proper prep is the difference between an even, long-lasting glow and a tan that fades patchy, clings to dry spots, or disappears too quickly. Whether you are a first-timer or a regular, these spray tan tips will walk you through exactly how to prep your skin the right way so your color looks smooth, even, and natural from the moment you step out.
If you are new to sunless tanning or want a deeper breakdown of how spray tans work, our complete Spray Tanning 101 guide is the perfect place to start.
Top Spray Tan Tips for a Flawless Result
Before diving into the full prep timeline, here are the most important spray tan tips every client should know. Following even a few of these consistently will make a noticeable difference in how your tan looks and how long it lasts.
- Always exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment, never the same day
- Arrive with completely clean, product-free skin on tanning day
- Shave or wax at least 24 to 48 hours before, never after
- Moisturize daily in the days leading up to your tan using an oil-free lotion
- Wear loose, dark clothing immediately after your session
- Avoid sweating, swimming, or showering during the development window
- Moisturize morning and night after your first rinse to extend your tan
Why Spray Tan Prep Matters
Spray tan solution only develops evenly when it is applied to clean, balanced, properly prepped skin. Dry patches, leftover product residue, or freshly irritated skin all interfere with how color absorbs and how evenly it fades. Skipping prep is the number one reason spray tans go wrong, and fortunately it is entirely avoidable.
When prep is done right, you get more even color from head to toe, better shade accuracy, and a longer-lasting tan that fades evenly without patchiness. When prep is skipped, the most common issues are dark buildup around joints, streaking, uneven fading, and color that breaks down within just a few days.
24 to 48 Hours Before Your Spray Tan
Exfoliate Like a Pro
Exfoliation is the single most important spray tan prep step. Using an exfoliating mitt or a gentle body scrub, remove dead skin cells across your entire body to create a smooth, even surface for the solution to grip. Pay extra attention to elbows, knees, ankles, feet, and hands because these areas naturally hold onto dead skin and will absorb more color if not properly buffed. One of the most common spray tan tips professionals give is to never skip this step and never do it the same day as your appointment. Freshly exfoliated skin can be overly sensitive and may cause streaking or uneven absorption when sprayed too soon.
Hair Removal Timing
Shave at least 24 hours before your spray tan appointment. If you prefer waxing, allow at least 48 hours between your wax and your session. This gives your pores time to close and your skin time to calm down after the irritation of hair removal. Shaving or waxing too close to your appointment leaves pores open, which can lead to dark dots on the skin or uneven patches where the solution absorbs differently into irritated areas.
Hydrate Your Skin
Hydrated skin holds color better and fades more evenly than dry skin. In the days leading up to your appointment, drink plenty of water and moisturize daily using an oil-free lotion. Lightweight hydration is key here. Heavy creams and oils leave residue that can block the spray tan solution from absorbing evenly, so stick to simple, non-greasy formulas until after your appointment.
The Night Before Your Spray Tan
Take a Prep Shower
The night before your appointment, shower with warm water to soften skin and remove any remaining product residue from the day. Use a simple, non-oily cleanser and keep it gentle. Avoid bar soaps and body washes that leave behind a film, including formulas containing oils, heavy moisturizers, or active acids. Products like Dove, Olay, and AHA-based washes are common offenders that can interfere with color development even when rinsed thoroughly.
Finish All Beauty Services
Schedule nails, lashes, facials, massages, and injectables before your tanning day, not after. These services can strip or alter your tan if done following your session, especially treatments that involve oils, exfoliation, steam, or direct pressure on the skin. Getting everything done beforehand means your skin is settled and ready, and your tan stays protected from day one.
Day of Your Spray Tan
Skip All Products
On tanning day, arrive with completely clean, bare skin. No lotion, oils, deodorant, makeup, perfume, or SPF of any kind. Even light amounts of these products create a barrier on the skin that blocks spray tan solution from absorbing evenly and can cause patchiness, streaking, or color that fades unevenly. This is one of the most overlooked spray tan tips and one of the easiest to follow. Clean skin is everything.
Wear the Right Outfit
Choose loose, dark clothing and open-toed sandals or flip-flops for after your appointment. Avoid bras, leggings, jeans, or anything with tight elastic that can rub, press, or crease into the skin while your tan is still developing. Tight clothing during the development window is one of the most common causes of streaking and uneven patches. Soft, breathable fabrics that drape away from the skin give your tan the space it needs to set properly.
What to Expect During Your Spray Tan
You can tan nude or wear minimal clothing based on your personal comfort level. Your spray tan artist will apply barrier cream to naturally dry areas like hands, feet, elbows, and knees to prevent overdevelopment and dark buildup in those zones. Before your session begins, always communicate your shade preference, undertone goals, and any past tanning experiences. The more your artist knows, the better they can customize the solution to your skin tone and deliver exactly the result you are looking for.
Aftercare Starts Immediately
Development Time
Follow your artist's rinse instructions carefully since development time varies depending on the solution. Most formulas range from one hour for a light result up to 24 hours for a deeper, darker tan. During the entire development window, avoid sweating, swimming, showering, rain, and wearing tight or restrictive clothing. Any moisture or friction during this time can disrupt the developing color and lead to streaking or uneven patches.
First Rinse
When it is time to rinse, use warm water only and skip the soap entirely for your first shower. Let the water run clear and gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Do not rub. The bronzer guide color will wash away, but your actual tan will continue to deepen over the next several hours as the DHA finishes developing with your skin.
Moisturizing Routine
Starting the day after your first rinse, moisturize morning and night using an oil-free lotion to keep skin hydrated and extend the life of your tan. Well-moisturized skin fades more evenly and holds color significantly longer than dry skin. Avoid exfoliating until you are ready for your next tan or looking to fully remove the existing one.
Quick Spray Tan Prep Checklist
- Exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment
- Shave or wax 24 to 48 hours before
- Moisturize daily with oil-free lotion in the days leading up
- Drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated
- Shower the night before with a residue-free cleanser
- Complete all beauty services before tanning day
- Arrive with completely bare, product-free skin
- Wear loose, dark clothing and open-toed shoes after your session
- Avoid sweating, swimming, and showering during development
- Rinse with warm water only for your first shower
- Moisturize morning and night after your first rinse
Recommended Makai Products for Pre and Post Care
Maintaining your glow between appointments is simple with the right products. Makai's sunless tanning line is formulated to work with your skin, extend your color, and keep your glow looking fresh between sessions.
- Shop Self Tanner for easy at-home maintenance between spray tan appointments
- Gradual Self Tanning Lotion to extend your spray tan evenly and keep color looking fresh
- Self Tanner for Face for balanced, breakout-friendly facial color that matches your body
- Makai Self Tanning Spray for quick touch-ups and hard-to-reach areas between sessions
A perfect spray tan starts long before you step into the booth. With the right prep, the best spray tan tips in your back pocket, and skin-loving aftercare, your glow stays smooth, even, and natural-looking from day one all the way through to fade. For a deeper dive into everything sunless, revisit our Spray Tanning 101 guide and explore Makai's full range of streak-free tanning essentials designed to work with your skin, not against it.
Spray Tan Prep FAQs
How do I prep my skin for a spray tan?
To prep your skin for a spray tan, exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment using an exfoliating mitt or gentle body scrub. Shave or wax at least 24 to 48 hours before. Moisturize daily with an oil-free lotion in the days leading up to your session. On tanning day, arrive with completely clean, bare skin with no lotion, deodorant, makeup, oils, or SPF.
How long before a spray tan should I shave?
Shave at least 24 hours before your spray tan appointment. If you prefer waxing, allow at least 48 hours. Hair removal too close to your appointment can leave pores open, which may lead to dark dots or uneven absorption.
What should I not do before a spray tan?
Before a spray tan, avoid applying lotion, oils, deodorant, makeup, perfume, or SPF on tanning day. Do not shave or wax the same day. Avoid body washes with heavy oils or active acids like AHAs the night before. Schedule facials, massages, and exfoliating services before your tan, not after.
What should I wear after a spray tan?
After a spray tan, wear loose, dark clothing and open-toed sandals or flip-flops. Avoid bras, leggings, jeans, or tight elastic that can rub or crease into the skin while the tan develops.
How long does a spray tan take to develop?
Spray tan development time depends on the solution used. Many formulas range from about one hour for a light result up to 24 hours for a deeper result. The bronzer guide color rinses off, but the tan can continue developing after the first rinse.
Can I shower after a spray tan?
Yes, but wait until your development time is complete based on your artist’s instructions. For your first rinse, use warm water only and skip soap. Let the water run clear and gently pat dry without rubbing.
How do I make my spray tan last longer?
To extend your spray tan, moisturize morning and night with an oil-free lotion starting the day after your first rinse. Avoid long hot showers, chlorinated pools, and exfoliating until you are ready to remove the tan.
Should I exfoliate before a spray tan?
Yes. Exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment, not the same day. Use an exfoliating mitt or gentle body scrub and focus on elbows, knees, ankles, feet, and hands. Removing dead skin creates a smoother surface so the spray tan develops more evenly and fades better.
