Use a body scrub and washcloth to exfoliate your skin in the shower every day for at least 3 days before your spray tan is applied. Complete any waxing you need at least 24 hours before your spray tan is applied.
By showering and exfoliating 8 hours before your appointment, you’re allowing your skin to reach the best pH level for taking a spray tan.
Light cotton clothing that is loose fitting and without straps is your best option for wearing home from your appointment. Sandals are also the best footwear option, but be careful that the straps on your sandals don’t cause lines in the tan on your feet. If you do get strap lines on your feet, you can exfoliate the skin on your feet until the various coloured areas blend together.
These products form a layer on top of your skin that the spray tan product won’t be able to penetrate. That means when you wash these products off, the skin where they use to be will be lighter than the surrounding skin. Wearing eye makeup to your appointment should be okay, and won’t need to be removed before the spray tan is applied.
Once you know what your instructions are, make sure you following them precisely. If you need to time something, set a reminder alarm on your phone so you don’t forget.
Use the most basic type of soap you have to wash your skin during this first shower. Avoid any soap products that have a lot of added items (like moisturizers) as they’ll leave residue on your skin. Moisturize after your shower with a light water-based moisturizer. As with the soap, don’t use a moisturizer with added oils or other products.
Ideally you should apply the baby powder to your cleavage, underarms, knees, and the back of your legs to reduce immediate fading due to sweat.
It is also a good idea to have short showers rather than baths while you have a spray tan. When drying off after a shower, use a blotting motion with your towel rather than a rubbing motion.
Use only gentle products and tools to exfoliate your skin. A washcloth or a gentle body scrub will both work well.
At the very least you should moisturize your whole body after you shower or bathe every day. You can also moisturize your skin before you go to bed.
Mix baby oil with a small amount of lemon juice and apply the mixture to your whole body. Sit with the mixture on your skin for about 10 minutes and then have a shower. While in the shower, use a body scrub to remove the mixture and the outer layers of dead skin cells. This mixture helps make your skin more pliable, which in turn will help you remove more of the outer layer and the old tan.
If you suffer from acne on your face, you’ll want to make sure the self tanning product you buy is non-comedogenic. This type of product won’t clog your pores and cause more acne. You’ll likely want to use a lighter coloured product in-between spray tans, so you don’t cause the tan to look uneven.
If you’re near the end of a spray tan period (and going to get a new one in a few days), swimming in chlorinated water will actually help you remove more dead skin and old tan before your new tan is applied.
