Summer Spray Tan Prep & Aftercare: Your Glow Guide
Spray Tan Prep and Aftercare: The Right Way to Glow This Summer
July means beach days, wedding weekends, and shorts season—which also means it’s prime time for spray tans. If you’re booking a session to boost your glow, don’t leave your results up to chance. A little prep beforehand and some thoughtful aftercare afterward can mean the difference between a streaky fade and a sun-kissed glow that lasts through the week.
We pulled expert advice from professional spray tan artists and combined it with what we know best—how to care for skin. Here’s your summer-ready guide to getting (and keeping) your best glow yet.
Before Your Spray Tan: How to Prep for a Smooth, Even Application
1. Exfoliate 24 Hours in Advance
You want your tan to cling to fresh, even skin—not dead skin cells or leftover lotion. Exfoliating the day before your appointment helps the color absorb smoothly and stay longer.
Use an oil-based sugar scrub (like our Exfoliating Sugar Scrubs) to gently polish skin. A summer scent like Sunkissed Coconut or a year-round favorite like Mango Grapefruit are great choices to get you in a sunny mood. Just don’t exfoliate the day of your tan; give your skin time to reset and for any oil from our scrubs to absorb into your skin.
2. Shave, Wax, or Sugar Ahead of Time
Do all hair removal at least 24–48 hours before your appointment. This helps prevent irritation and keeps your pores from grabbing onto too much pigment.
3. Skip Lotions, Oils, and Deodorant the Day Of
Show up with clean, bare skin. Anything you apply—like deodorant, perfume, or makeup—can create a barrier that affects how the tan develops.
4. Avoid Tight Clothing
Wear loose, dark clothing to your session. That cute romper can wait—right now, your skin needs room to breathe.
Aftercare: Keep That Glow Going Strong
1. Rinse on Time, Gently
Whether you’re getting a rapid or standard tan, follow your technician’s instructions for when to rinse. Use lukewarm water and skip soap for the first rinse—just a light rinse to remove the surface bronzer.
2. Avoid Sweating, Swimming, and Steam
It’s hot out—but for the first 24 hours, you’ll need to skip workouts, pool time, and hot showers. Sweat and moisture can interfere with how your tan sets. Plan accordingly if you’ve got outdoor plans.
3. Moisturize Daily—But Use the Right Products
Hydrated skin is happy skin, especially in summer. But not all moisturizers are tan-friendly.
Reach for a tan-safe, oil-based product like our Body Oil or Whipped Body Butter. They lock in moisture without disrupting your glow. Our body butters are made from pure butters and oils—no water or fillers—so they melt into your skin and help your tan fade evenly. Our fragrance free Luxe Body Lotions are a great choice too and won't fade your tan.
4. Use Gentle Cleansers
Bar soap, scrubs, and harsh body washes are out when it comes to protecting your tan. Choose a gentle cleanser and avoid anything that strips or exfoliates while your tan is fresh. Our soon-to-be-released body wash is formulated to be tan safe.
5. Pat—Don’t Rub
After you shower, gently pat your skin dry with a towel. Rubbing can lift off pigment and create uneven patches.
Expert Tips to Remember
- Plan your tan 1–2 days before your event. This gives the color time to fully develop and settle. Consider a "practice tan" 3-4 weeks before your event so you can make any necessary adjustments before the big day.
- Spray tan + hydration = better results. Keep your skin and your body hydrated, especially with the July heat drying everything out.
- Use summery scents. Products with light, seasonal scents like citrus or coconut add to the full summer glow experience.
- Don’t judge your tan too early. Your full glow will appear after your first rinse, not before.
Whether you're prepping for a long weekend, a summer wedding, or just want to feel a little extra glow when the sun's out, a spray tan can be the perfect finishing touch. But the real magic happens before and after your session. By exfoliating properly, showing up with clean skin, and moisturizing the right way, you’ll get results that look natural and last longer.
This guide was created using input from professional spray tan artists who use our products in their prep and aftercare routines. As always, we believe good skin care makes every tan better.
