How Long Does spray tan take to fully develop?
A Spray tan's color is the result of a DHA reaction on the top layer of your skin that takes 8 to 12 hours to fully develop (unless you are using an express solution which develops in as little as 2 hours).
Spray tans always look best at least a day or two after your appointment so make sure to give yourself enough time between your appointment and the big day. We recommend getting your wedding spray tan about two days in advance.
How Long Does It Last? Because your skin is constantly creating new skin cells on the epidermis level, any skin treatment will fade over time. Spray tans generally last for 7-10 days, depending on the coverage you requested; if you wanted a lighter color, your tan could fade more quickly.
Keep it loose
When deciding what to wear to a spray tan session, always choose loose clothing that won't rub on your skin. Flowy dresses and skirts, or loose-fitting jumpsuits without elastic are ideal. If you're comfortable, avoid wearing a bra or underwear, which tends to cling to skin and may cause discoloration.
If you sleep with your airbrush tan still developing: it is crucial to sleep in a long sleeve shirt and long pants that are loose fitting clothing after your tan. If you do not do this, you run the risk of too much smudging or having the tan absorb into your hands or other parts of your body incorrectly.
To help your tan develop, you'll want to avoid all moisture for at least 4-5 hours after you get a spray tan. This includes showering, workouts, hot yoga, lotions, liquid foundation, etc.
No, you don't have to be naked when you spray tan. While some people prefer to be nude to avoid tan lines, you have the option to wear whatever is most comfortable for you—like a swimsuit or underwear. During your tan, bronzer could transfer to your clothing but don't worry!
We recommend waiting at least 4-8 hours after your spray tan before you shower for the first time, but don't wait more than 24 hours. When you shower for the first time after getting a spray tan, you'll probably see some golden glow wash down the drain, but don't worry!
Remember not to wear anything on your skin for your tanning appointment. “Avoid wearing any perfume, creams, lotions, deodorant, and make-up to your spray tan appointment, a clean canvas is always best,” Pradas said.
There is a good chance that the bronzer will come off on your clothes and/or bed sheets before you take your first shower after the air brush spray tan is applied. It will come out in the wash as long as you do not wait and extremely long amount of time to wash the items.
Should I get a spray tan the night before an event?
Since spray tans usually last between seven to nine days, it's actually best to get a spray tan 2-3 days before your big event. This allows time for your tan to fully develop and gives you time to have one rinse-off in between the tan application and the event.
Along with avoiding oil and lotion, you should “remove all makeup, deodorant and perfume with a cleansing wipe just before the spray,” says Evans. Your skin should be free from any products that could interfere with the spray tan.

Don't worry. Your tan will be darker before your first shower ( 8-10 hours after your appointment ) because the airbrush solution contains a cosmetic bronzer that rinses off during your first shower. On a similar note…
- Do not shower for at least 6 to 8 hours after the spray tanning solution has been applied. ...
- After the waiting period has passed, shower in warm water (it should not be too hot) and use a light, gentle body wash. ...
- Avoid activities that will make you sweat.
A good rule of thumb is two days before a big event. “This will give the tan time to settle and look its natural best,” says St. Tropez Skin Finishing Expert Sophie Evans. “Also, if we need to make an area darker or do any correcting we have the opportunity.”
Once you have showered, you will notice the bronzer washing away, leaving you looking tanned and glowing underneath. From this point on hydration is the key! Please note: the tan will continue to develop even after the shower, so do not be alarmed if you're not as tanned as you expect to be.
SKIN/NAIL CARE
It is better if you have nail polish on before your tan, even if it is just a clear coat. Your nails and toenails will be wiped down at the end of your spray tan, and it prevents your nails from staining.
Once you've successfully self-tanned, wait until the products have dried completely before attempting to put on any clothes. We recommend at least 10 minutes, but keep checking any problem areas, such as under the arms or behind the knees, to see how they're drying. If you're still tacky, it's too early!
Long hot baths, swimming pools (chlorine), fresh or salt water (applying a waterproof sun block before this practice it will help protect your tan). Makeup remover, cleaning preparation or oils can fade a tan (avoid mineral oils). Rough wash implement for daily washing (loofah, scrub mitts or scrub gloves, etc.)
- Wax/shave prior appointment. Wax or shave at least a day before your spray tan. ...
- Exfoliate. Exfoliate your skin at least 8 hours before your spray tan as this will get rid of any dead skin and will ensure your tan is even. ...
- Nails first. ...
- Hair up. ...
- No lotion or makeup. ...
- Weather forecast.
Do spray tans spray your face?
When you're in the tanning 'tent' (a one-person pod with an open front) the therapist will usually start by applying the formula, dispersed through a spray gun, to your face.
Spray Tan Technician
Didn't think that a spray tan was a "tippable" service? Think again. These attendants are performing a service, and therefore, deserved to be tipped. Fashionista.com suggested tipping 20 percent for your spray tan.
After Treatment Advice
If possible, do not wear a bra for at least 4 hours after you have been sprayed to prevent “tan lines” or streaks. Please know that if you exercise and sweat heavily your tan can fade faster, especially if your clothing is tight. The same applies to sweating feet inside shoes.
You can wah your hair 9 hours after a spray tan, but there are a few tips to achieve this without causing tan streaks. Rinse your body of the colour guide till the water turns clear, flip your head over and wash your hair this way as some shampoos can be chemically harsh which could potentially damage the spray tan.
Don't Shower Right Before Your Session
Showering the same day is fine — just be sure to do it at least four hours before your appointment. Your pores are enlarged after a warm shower or bath, so the tanning solution can sit in your pores and creates dark-looking spots.
Shave, Exfoliate and Moisturize Before Tanning
The first and one of the most important steps is to shave beforehand. Shaving after your spray tan will cause the tan to look blotchy and fade quicker.
So again, you want dark, loose clothing. Even though the spray tan solution does usually come out of everything, you want dark, loose clothing just because you don't want to mess up any of your clothes or sheets. If you're doing an eight-hour solution, you want to put a towel underneath your body when you sleep.
If you schedule an appointment for a sunless spray tanning session on Wednesday you can count on seeing the best results on Thursday, or Friday depending if you tan early on Tuesday. If you had to choose an appointment Wednesday vs a Friday, I would recommend spray tanning on Wednesday for any Saturday event.
You may find yourself smelling of cookies for a few hours after the tan. You will have to put off showering for at least six hours and you do, you will have to dab yourself dry instead of rubbing the towel across your body. You may find that you are unable to go out for a few hours while the tan sets.
As colour will continue to develop for approximately 8 hours, the longer the tan is left on the skin prior to bathing, the darker the result will be.
How long should you wait to show after a spray tan?
We recommend waiting at least 4-8 hours after your spray tan before you shower for the first time, but don't wait more than 24 hours. When you shower for the first time after getting a spray tan, you'll probably see some golden glow wash down the drain, but don't worry!
Your tan will be darker before your first shower ( 8-10 hours after your appointment ) because the airbrush solution contains a cosmetic bronzer that rinses off during your first shower. On a similar note… If you see your tan going down the drain, don't worry, that's the cosmetic bronzer, NOT your airbrush tan.
A spray tan on lighter skin tones might last for about 5 days, medium shades can last between 7-8 days, and darker shades can last up to 10 days. To be safe, we say that your spray tan will last anywhere between 5-7 days, depending on your spray tan care routine.
You can achieve tanned, attractive skin without exposing your body to the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. Spray tan treatments can provide you with a natural-looking tan in a quick, effective manner.
Your body will need to be completely clean and hairless for the best effects. This means that you will have to take off all makeup, exfoliate your body, shave or wax and take a shower before going in for your spray tan. In addition, you will need to pick out an outfit that will ensure that the tan doesn't rub off.
Avoid wearing perfumes, deodorant or makeup that can create a barrier for absorption. Avoid wearing tight clothing and shoes such as boots, socks or tights, which may rub off some of the spray tan and cause uneven results. 4. Wear dark, loose-fitting clothes.
Spray-tanning the face may not be for everyone, but it's a simple way to keep the bronze glow going all year long. And with these quick tips for how to tan your face, like choosing a self-tanner, prepping your skin, applying the product, and post-care, you're sure to feel confident every time you walk out the door.
Spray tans always look best at least a day after the initial appointment. Maintain your tan with self-tanners to not only make it last longer but help it fade more evenly. Don't skimp on SPF even if you have a spray tan.
Fake tan can usually be removed from bedding. Try washing your cotton sheets in a 60 deg wash, or as hot a wash as the care label allows if the stain persists. Soak harder-to-shift stains on white cotton bedding in a pre-wash stain removal solution before washing as normal.
A good rule of thumb is two days before a big event. “This will give the tan time to settle and look its natural best,” says St. Tropez Skin Finishing Expert Sophie Evans. “Also, if we need to make an area darker or do any correcting we have the opportunity.”
Can I shower 3 hours after spray tan?
The time you should wait before showering will depend on the type of tan you've used, or the spray tan applied. Today, there are loads of quick-developing formulas that can be washed off after as little as 2 hours (if you want a lighter tan), as well as traditional formulas designed to stay on the skin for 8 hours.
You might wonder what's the point of paying for a spray-on tan when you could go outside and soak up some vitamin D for free. While it's true that spray tans will cost you much more financially, they'll cost you far less in terms of potential sun damage: premature aging, dark spots, sun spots, and even skin cancer.
Sometimes spray tans look a lot darker or lighter on certain people. As a rough estimate, a light spray tan would be anywhere between 1-3 times darker than your natural skin tone. A medium spray tan looks like 3-4 times darker and a dark spray tan could go 4-7 times darker than your original colour.