Sunless Tanning:
Prep & Aftercare

Skin Prep:
Resurfacing Agents

Discontinue use of topical Retinol or Retin-A products at least 7 days prior to your appointment. Additionally, Accutane must be discontinued within the last 12 months. These products can cause the tan to develop unevenly or lift prematurely.

Skin Prep:
Medical Procedures

Avoid Adhesives & Allow Healing: Please ensure it has been at least 7–10 days since any medical procedure, surgery, or test involving medical tape, bandages, or electrode patches (such as EKG sensors), and that your skin is fully healed.

Adhesives remove a micro-layer of skin upon removal and leave behind invisible barriers. If sprayed before the skin has naturally renewed itself, the tanning solution cannot absorb or develop properly, resulting in patchy, un-toned, or uneven areas.

If you have an upcoming or very recent medical procedure, please contact us before booking so we can help you time your session perfectly.

Skin Prep:
Beauty Timeline

Complete all waxing services at least 48 hours prior to your session. All other services (nails, facials, massages, or eyelash extensions) should be completed at least 24 hours prior. Receiving these services AFTER your tan will cause premature fading or patchiness.

Skin Prep:
Exfoliation

Exfoliate 24 hours prior to your appointment. Note: Avoid using oil scrubs or coffee scrubs as they create a barrier that can impede the tanning process. Instead, a simple Korean-style exfoliating mitt used with warm water is an excellent choice. It effectively lifts dead skin cells and resurfaces the skin without introducing oils, ensuring a perfectly clean canvas for an even, flawless glow.

Skin Prep:
Clean Skin Day Of

Ensure you have clean skin (no deodorants/lotions/oils/perfume) the day of your appointment, and complete any showering or shaving at least 4 hours prior to your session. This is required to allow your skin's pH to stabilize. Below please find additional details to ensure a beautiful glow:

The Natural Deodorant Rule: If you use natural deodorant, please discontinue use 3-4 days prior to your appointment. These products alter your skin’s pH and cause the tan to turn green, extremely dark or fail to develop in the underarm area. Popular natural deodrant examples include those below, however any brand labeled “0% Aluminum” is a Natural Deoderant.

  • Lume

  • Native

  • Tom’s

  • Schmidt’s

  • Every Man Jack

  • Dr. Squatch

  • Dove 0% Aluminum

  • Secret Aluminum Free

Showering & Soap Selection:

  • Avoid Cream-Based Soaps: For your final shower before your session, do not use moisturizing or cream-based body washes (such as Dove or Olay). These leave a transparent film on the skin that prevents the tanning solution from absorbing evenly.

  • Recommended: Use a clear, transparent simple gel-based soap only.

  • The "Clean Canvas": Ensure all soap residue is thoroughly rinsed off, and do not apply any lotions, oils, or perfumes after this final shower.

Aftercare:
Clothing Post Tan

It is imperative that you wear dark, loose-fitting, full length clothing after your session. This is essential to prevent skin-to-skin contact and to safeguard home linens, upholstery, etc., from color transfer while your tan develops.

Aftercare:
Water Only Rinse | Shower Timing

Rapid Solutions Timing: Warm water-only rinse after your set duration, full shower permitted after 12 hours.

Classic Solutions Timing: Warm water-only rinse after 12 hours, full shower permitted after 24 hours. Note: It is possible to keep the solution on longer, but you will continue to develop and may have darker spray tan results.

Critical Water-Rinse Steps: Use lukewarm (not hot) water without soaps, shaving, pH disruptions or loofahs. During your water-only rinse, using your hands in a gentle circular motion, ensure all cosmetic bronzer is removed. Continue this process until the water runs completely clear (no visible bronzer). Failure to remove all bronzer will cause streaks. Remember, thebronzer is cosmetic and your tan will continue to develop. Pat dry gently and never rub your skin.

Aftercare:
Critical Maintenance Guide

To maximize the life of your glow and ensure an even, flawless fade, you must avoid harsh, stripping cleansers and heavy, petroleum or oil-based products. Avoid Native, Aveeno, and any heavy exfoliating or "skin-renewing" drugstore body washes.

Additionally, strictly avoid mineral oil, petroleum products, cocoa butter, or shea butter products (such as Vaseline Intensive Care or raw body butters), as these heavy lipids act as solvents that will literally break down and dissolve your tan. Instead, use these trusted formulas starting the day after your session:

Approved Sunless Cleansers (Use daily in the shower):

✦Vanicream Liquid Cleanser
(soap-free, oil-free, non stripping)

✦CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash

✦Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash
‍ (Fragrance-Free)

Approved Sunless Moisturizers (Apply daily):

✦Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion
‍ (clean-canvas option for everyday hydration)

✦CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
‍ (Lightweight and oil-free)

✦Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion
‍ (Fragrance-Free)