At-home spray tan prep
How to prep for an at-home spray tan
The prep is the same as it would be in a studio, with one difference that costs more at home: your shower is right there, and using it before your artist arrives is the fastest way to a patchy tan. Three steps over 24 hours.
Coming to a studio instead? Read the studio version.
24 hours before
Shave or wax
Pores need a day to close. Shave or wax any hair the day before, never the morning of: same-day shaving is the single most common cause of a streaky, dotted tan.
Do
- Shave with a fresh blade in the direction of hair growth
- Wax 24 hours ahead, the same as shaving
- Rinse thoroughly to clear all shaving cream residue
- Book mani/pedis and waxing appointments at least 24 hours ahead
Skip
- Shave or wax the same day
- Use shaving creams with aloe, oil, or post-shave lotion
The night before
Exfoliate, and make it your last shower
A non-oil-based scrub the night before is the difference between an even tan and one that streaks at the knees and wrists. In a house call this shower does double duty: it is also the last one before your artist arrives.
Do
- Non-oil-based body scrub (look for sugar or silica, not coconut oil)
- Extra circles on elbows, knees, ankles, and wrists
- Rinse thoroughly, pat dry, sleep in loose pajamas
Skip
- Oil-based scrubs or body oils after exfoliating
- Lotion or moisturizer after your shower
- Exfoliating the morning of: bumps and redness will set in the spray
The day of
Bare skin, and skip the shower
Anything on your skin acts as a barrier, and so does the water itself. Skin that has just been washed is oversaturated and will not take the solution evenly, which is easy to get wrong at home when the shower is right there.
Do
- Be completely dry, with bare skin, when they arrive
- If you have to rinse off a workout, leave at least an hour before they arrive
- Have dark, loose clothing and flip-flops ready to change into, plus dark underwear if you want it
Skip
- Showering right before your appointment
- Deodorant if you can help it: aluminum leaves green or grey patches under the arms
- Moisturizer, lotion, body butter, perfume, makeup, or SPF
- Shaving or exfoliating today
FAQ
Common questions
- How do I prepare for an at-home spray tan?
- Shave or wax 24 hours before, exfoliate the night before with a non-oil-based scrub, and skip lotion, deodorant, perfume, and makeup on the day. Do not shower right before your artist arrives. Wear loose, dark clothing and have flip-flops ready.
- Should I shower before my at-home spray tan?
- Not right before. Shower and exfoliate the night before instead. Skin that has just been washed is oversaturated and will not hold the solution evenly. If you need to rinse off a workout, leave at least an hour between that shower and your appointment so your skin is completely dry.
- Can I wear deodorant for a spray tan?
- Skip it if you can. Deodorant, especially aluminum-based, sits on the skin as a barrier and is the most common cause of green or grey patches under the arms. You can put it back on after your first rinse.
- Should I shave before an at-home spray tan?
- Yes, 24 hours before, never the same day. Use a fresh razor and no oil-based shave gel. Pores need a day to close, and same-day shaving is the most common cause of a streaky, dotted tan. Waxing wants the same 24 hours, not longer.
- Do I need a shower at home for a mobile spray tan?
- Not for the appointment itself. You do not rinse until hours afterward, at the time your artist gives you, so you only need a bathroom you can use later that day or the next morning.