How To Prep Your Skin for a Spray Tan

If you’ve ever left a spray tan appointment looking streaky rather than silky, your spray tan prep routine was probably to blame. Spray tans are ideal for those looking to secure a golden glow without risking sun damage, but proper skin prep is essential to ensure your tan applies smoothly and evenly. If you have dry or flaky skin, there’s a good chance your spray-on tan won’t turn out the way you’d hoped. 

Fortunately, knowing what to do before a spray tan can help ensure a seamless application—and proper post-tan care can ensure your faux glow fades evenly. Here, we share top spray tan prep tips for dark skin tones, pale skin tones, and everything in between to get you looking like the best-bronzed version of yourself

How To Prepare for a Spray Tan the Right Way

Proper preparation is hands-down the best way to help ensure your spray tan applies seamlessly (and looks natural). Check out our must-know spray tan prep tips below. 

1. Exfoliate and shave 24 hours before tanning

The first—and arguably most crucial step—in your spray tan prep routine is exfoliation. Regular exfoliation helps remove dead, dull cells, helps smooth your skin, and provides a more even base for your tan.

For your body, you can use a body scrub or lather up with a loofah. Be sure to pay extra close attention to rougher areas, like your elbows and knees. To exfoliate your face, we recommend using the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 5 Percent Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner, which you can apply nightly after cleansing to help promote smoother, brighter-looking skin.

It’s also a good idea to shave before tanning, as shaving too soon after your spray tan can cause it to fade more quickly. Plus, shaving can also help exfoliate the skin for a silky-smooth feel.

2. Moisturize ahead of time

If your skin is dry when you go in to get your spray-on tan, there’s a chance the pigment could cling to dry patches, resulting in a blotchy, uneven tan. Prior to your appointment, make sure your skin is adequately hydrated from head to toe. If you need a moisturizer recommendation, we suggest opting for a lightweight option such as the L’Oréal Paris Collagen Filler Moisture Filler Anti-Aging Moisturizer, which provides up to 48 hours of hydration without a heavy or greasy feel. 

Keep in mind that while you’ll want to moisturize before your appointment, you don’t want to do it immediately before heading into the salon—doing so could potentially dilute your tan. 

3. Paint your nails in advance

Avoid getting a manicure or pedicure after getting a spray-on tan. Both of these services involve soaking your fingers and using nail polish remover, which can cause your spray tan to become patchy or fade prematurely on your hands and feet. A good rule of thumb is to schedule your nail appointment before your spray tan. 

Editor’s tip: If you have a light-colored manicure or pedicure, like milky nails, wipe off your nails after your spray tan, as the polish may stain.

4. Watch what you wear

You should avoid wearing jewelry that can leave you with funky tan lines, so leave those beautiful rings and decorative bangles at home. After your spray tan, you should sport dark, loose-fitting clothing to prevent staining and keep your clothes from rubbing against your freshly applied tan, which can lead to uneven patches and blotchy spots if it hasn’t had time to set. 

5. Skip makeup

Skipping makeup ahead of your appointment likely goes without saying. Still, it’s worth mentioning—do not wear makeup to your spray tan appointment since it will prevent your tan from properly adhering to your skin. The only thing you’ll want to have on your face is a light moisturizer that has had some time to absorb.

6. Skip the scented skincare

You should definitely moisturize before getting a spray on tan, but not too close to your appointment. Scented products like lotions, creams, perfumes, and even deodorants can affect how your spray tan adheres to your skin. Head to your appointment with clean, bare skin, and moisturize with a fragrance-free lotion the night before. (The aforementioned facial moisturizer is fragrance-free, as well as fast-absorbing and non-comedogenic).

7. Listen to the pros

Always defer to your spray tan artist, especially if you’re getting an airbrush tan because they’ll direct you on how to position yourself to get a flawless application. If you’re getting a spray tan in a booth, a machine will be responsible for your spray tan, so pay attention and take note of the instructions given to you, as you won’t have someone to guide you once you’re in the booth.

8. Keep your skin tone and shade in mind

Nobody wants to look orange after shelling out cash for a spray-on tan, which is why choosing the right shade for your complexion is a must. The right spray tan color for you might differ from what works for a friend. Besides the fact that someone with paler skin will want to go lighter than someone with a darker skin tone, the undertone of their spray tan should also be different. 

If you have a cool or neutral skin tone, you’ll want to avoid anything too bronzy and opt for a more neutral tawny shade instead. Those with warmer skin can handle warmer shades, but take care not to select anything more than a few shades darker than your skin to avoid an unnatural-looking bronze. 

If you’re unsure which shade to choose, it’s always better to go with the lighter one. Remember that as your tan develops, it’ll deepen in color, which is a noteworthy tip for those with pale skin, but good advice for anyone.

9. Consider an at-home option

If you’d prefer to skip the tanning salon, you can take matters into your own hands with a self-tanner designed for at-home use. The L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist boasts a salon-inspired 360-degree wide-angle applicator that delivers a continuous mist for a professional airbrushed effect. The self-tanning mist dries instantly, allowing for an ultra-even application (no rubbing in required). Plus, it’s buildable, so you can tailor your glow to your liking. To use it, follow the same preparation tips for an in-salon spray tan. Spray at arm’s length and cover your whole body with an even mist. Let the formula dry on its own (don’t rinse), then throw on your loose-fitting, dark clothes when your skin is dry.

Another option we love is the L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse. The lightweight, water-to-foam self-tanner works with your skin to provide customized results and develops over time for a natural, sun-kissed effect without streaking. 

10. Keep your skin hydrated

Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized can help preserve your spray tan and ensure it fades evenly. Once a few days have passed, and you notice your tan fading, reach for a gradual tanning lotion like the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion Medium Natural Tan to help extend your faux glow.

11. Do a test run for special occasions

If you’re getting a spray tan for your wedding or prom, consider going for a test run a few weeks before your event to ensure you like the formula and color. The last thing you want is to try a spray tan for the first time for a special night, only to end up hating the shade.

12. Have an exfoliating mitt on hand

All spray tans must end, which doesn’t have to be a bad thing. When you’ve hit the seven—to ten-day mark, you’ll see signs of fading and know it's time to scrub it. Grab an exfoliating mitt at the end of your shower and buff your skin. The skin will be soft and moisturized, and you’ll start to see the self-tanner buffing away. 

You may not be able to remove your spray tan in one go, so exfoliate, moisturize, and repeat the process until it’s entirely gone and you can start fresh. This step is crucial if you’re trying to remove a fresh spray tan mishap. Always be gentle on your skin, and don’t over-scrub, which can lead to irritation.

How To Care for Your Skin After a Spray-On Tan

How you care for your spray tan before and after application determines how long—and well—it’ll stay. After spray tan prep and application, there are both immediate and long-term maintenance tips that can help keep you glowing.

What to do immediately after your spray-on tan

• Wait until your tan is fully dry before getting dressed. When you do, opt for dark, loose-fitting clothing to help prevent your tan from staining your clothes or transferring. 
• Hold off on showering for at least 24 hours to help ensure your tan has adequate time to develop. 
• Post-tan, don’t scrub your skin or use harsh cleansers. Opt for a mild, oil-free body wash, and use a washcloth (or your hands) to gently cleanse your skin. The same goes for your face—you’ll want to stick with gentle, non-abrasive facial cleansers that remove impurities without over-drying or stripping your skin. 

How to help ensure your tan fades evenly

• If any areas appear significantly darker than others, lightly exfoliate the darker area with a washcloth to help the tan fade. 
• Keep your skin sufficiently moisturized with a lightweight, non-greasy lotion or cream. 
• Consider swapping your go-to body cream for a gradual tanning lotion to help extend the life of your tan. 
• Take cooler showers and avoid scrubbing your skin when you lather up.
• Try to minimize how often you shave, as shaving exfoliates the skin and can cause your tan to fade more quickly than you’d like. 
• A faux tan on the face tends to fade more quickly than other areas on your body. To help preserve your tan, we recommend picking up the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops. The buildable formula gradually bronzes the skin, leaving you with a gorgeous glow free from unwanted orange tones. Simply mix a few drops with your favorite moisturizer, and watch your glow grow each day.

Next Up: 5 Places To Apply Bronzer for Sun-Kissed-Looking Skin