Preparing your skin properly for a tan, and maintaining it as best as possible afterwards, is not only crucial to how it looks on your skin, but also how it lasts on your skin.
The thing to remember when you get a spray tan, is we are not spraying a colour onto your skin, we are spraying a solution that enables the skin to colour. It's actually YOUR skin that does all the work, so to get the best results and the longest lasting tan possible, you need to prepare and look after your skin properly.

PLEASE NOTE: It's a good idea to get all your beauty treatments done BEFORE your tan! Things like mani/pedis usually include scrubs and lotions which can strip your tan. Wait 24 hours after a manicure or pedicure and make sure all lotions/scrubs are not present on the skin by giving the area a quick exfoliation, with water only at least 3 hours before your tan. Nail services such as acrylics, shellac etc and hair appointments should be fine AFTER you have had your initial rinse, as the skin around the nails isn't really affected, and your hair is washed over a basin so there will be no shampoo running down your skin which could potentially streak your tan. But it's best all these treatments are done prior. Your spray tan should be the last thing you do!

24-48 HOURS BEFORE YOUR TAN 

• Exfoliate at least 24-48 hours prior to your appointment. This is so the tan can adhere to fresh clean skin, and to allow the acid mantle to reset and amino acids to be recreated. The amino acids are what helps create your tan. The less amino acids you have, the lighter the result will be. 

• Exfoliate using an oil free scrub, dry brush or our exfoliating mitts. Pay special attention to hands, elbows, knees, ankles, heels and tops of feet. For best results, exfoliate for a few days in a row leading up to your appointment. DO NOT do a full proper exfoliation on the same day as your spray tan appointment. 

• Shave or wax a minimum of 24 hours prior to your spray tan appointment. DO NOT shave/wax your legs on the same day as your appointment.

• If you need to wash your hair, do so the day before, but wash your hair first, then do your exfoliating.

• Moisturise daily leading up to your tan, especially the evening prior to your appointment. Use a lot more than you normally would, and applying extra attention to any dry areas. This will be the last time you use any moisturiser until 24 hours after your spray tan appointment. DO NOT use moisturiser on your skin again prior to your spray tan appointment. (Avoid Olay & Dove products pre and post tan). 

THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

• Shower the morning of your appointment WITH WATER ONLY,  and give your skin a very light exfoliation with an exfoliation mitt to ensure any product applied the day before is removed (ie any exfoliants and/or moisturiser that may be still sitting on top of the skin).

• IF YOU SHOWER BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT, YOU MUST ENSURE THIS SHOWER IS AT LEAST 3 HOURS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT. Skin will absorb some water during both baths and showers, so you want to make sure the water has left your skin so it doesn't affect the absorption of the tan. It also allows enough time for your skin's temperature & pH levels to return to normal. Your skins pH level needs to be at it's standard level of around pH5.5. The higher your skins’ pH is the more chance you have of the tan resulting in a golden or orange result.

• DO NOT use any soap or body wash during your shower on the day of your tan (even if your tan is an evening appointment), as these products can leave a barrier on your skin and prevent the full colour from developing. 

• DO NOT wear any makeup, moisturiser, deodorant, perfume or oils on the day of your appointment. These products can leave a barrier on the skin and prevent the full colour from developing. 

• DO NOT wash your hair prior to your appointment. The products may leave a residue resulting in drip mark patterns where the product hasn't been washed off properly. If you absolutely must wash your hair the same day, you need to do so within 3 hours of your appointment time, and you also need to rinse really well and give a light exfoliation afterwards (with water only) to ensure that no product is left on the skin. Or wash over a sink or bath. You really need to be extra careful when it comes to washing your hair the same day as your spray tan appointment, it is not recommended.​

• Be aware of any medication you may be taking. Ideally you shouldn’t have a spray tan for 4 weeks after completing a course of topical or oral antibiotics as they can stay in your system for quite a while. Certain medications and drugs can cause an imbalance which affects the way in which the DHA reacts with your skin and won’t allow the tan to develop as it would normally.

THE SPRAY TANNING SESSION​

• Bring or wear comfortable, loose, dark clothing to your appointment. Bring thongs or slip on shoes to wear home. Avoid wearing tight fitting shoes or clothing (jeans, leggings, tight underwear) as it will mark your tan. It is also preferable not to wear a bra afterwards so you avoid any strap marks.  

• You may like to bring a towel to sit on in the car.

• Check the weather! If it is raining, bring an umbrella and blanket or towel. Wear full coverage clothing and ugg boots.

• DO NOT wear jewellery to your spray tan appointment unless it can be easily removed.

• DO NOT wear red clothing. This can potentially turn the bronzer green whilst it is on your skin prior to showering.

• During the tan, most people like to be completely naked so they don't end up with any tan lines. If you do not wish to be spray tanned naked you can wear a strapless bra, thin g-string, your own underwear, bikini, whatever you feel comfortable in!

• All disposable items (bandeau bras, hair nets, g-strings sticky feet) are also provided for you if you require them.

• For those that want to avoid tan lines altogether but don't want to go completely naked, you can wear a "c-string". These are available to purchase in the salon for $10. You can wash and bring back to each appointment.

• "Tantoos" and novelty nipple covers are also available just for fun!

• The spray tan will take around 20 minutes including drying time.

WAITING, WAITING, WAITING!

• During the development time you should not allow your skin to perspire or become wet at all. That means no washing dishes or exercising! After going to the bathroom, try to avoid water getting on the top of your hands. I recommend washing hands with a damp face cloth with minimal soap on palms only so you have control over where the water goes.

• If you do happen to sweat, lightly apply a little talcum powder or cornflour with a kabuki/makeup brush to the perspiring areas as this will absorb the perspiration but wont affect the tan. If your skin gets splashed, dab dry (do not rub), and add a tiny amount of moisturiser to the affected area blending to an even colour.

• Use air conditioning in your car and house if it is a hot day to avoid sweating. If you have leather seats or couches, sit on a towel to avoid perspiring and sticking to the seats! 

• If there is any transfer on clothing, sheets or towels this is normal and will wash out.

• You will be advised on how long to leave the solution on for depending on the depth of colour you wish to achieve.

RINSING YOUR TAN

• Rinse with PLAIN LUKEWARM WATER ONLY after the time instructed (no soaps, body wash or shampoo until the 24 hour period has passed). Start from your legs and work your way up your body. Wash all areas gently with your hands, including ears! 

• You only need a quick 30 second to 1 minute shower. It is literally a quick rinse. You can have a proper shower after 24 hours. The DHA can be deactivated if you take too long a shower with your initial rinse.

• You will notice the bronzer rinsing away, don't worry, this is not your tan, only the temporary bronzer. Make sure all this bronzer has washed off and the water runs clear. If you feel your colour is light after your first rinse, just remember your colour will still continue to develop and won't reach its full intensity until at least the 24 hour mark.

• Pat your skin dry with a towel instead of wiping (this applies after every shower).

THE NEXT 24 HOURS 

• Leaving all body products (moisturiser, body wash, soap, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner) off your skin for 24 hours until the tan has fully developed is very important. The DHA will still be continuing to develop over the next 24-48 hours so any products you put on your skin during this time can still influence the outcome of the tan.

• Avoid sports or activities that will cause you to sweat or perspire as this can still affect the outcome of the tan while it's still developing.

• Your tan will continue to develop to its full intensity over the next 12-24 hours.

MAINTAINING YOUR TAN

• 24 hours after your appointment, you can start using body products, but you need to make sure that you are selecting the correct products for your skin.

• Try to find products that are pH balanced or paraben free, free from sulphur laurel sulphates (SLS's), perfumes and colourants.

• Use body wash, or a soap free cleansing bar, rather than soap. A gel based body product works best. Choose clear body washes over the “creamy” moisturising body washes. If you can’t find a clear pH balanced body wash, its best to choose a gel that is more coloured towards the green, blue or violet colour range rather than those that are more yellow or orange. The "Thank You" brand Botanical Geranium & Rosewood Body Wash from Coles, Woolworths or Priceline is the best choice found so far.

• Moisturise your skin twice daily to make sure your spray tan lasts as long as possible. Again, make sure to check the ingredients so it contains nothing that will strip the tan of its colour. 

• Avoid baby oil or other types of oils as they will strip the tan very quickly and fade patchy. Avoid any other mineral oil based products, retinol products, and products with alcohol in them.

• The best time to moisturise is straight after coming out of the shower. You have 3-4 minutes before your body starts to lose moisture. Pat yourself dry but leave your skin damp/slightly wet. Moisturise with the water that has been left on the skin. This locks in the moisture and allows the application of the product on the skin a lot easier to apply, as well as giving you an added moisturising boost and preventing dry, crackly skin, especially on the shin area.

• Use a shampoo & conditioner especially formulated for spray tans or that don't contain any SLS's.

• Avoid harsh wash cloths or loofahs.

• Avoid anything that exfoliates or renews the skin eg: peel-off masks, scrubs, toners or products that contain alpha hydroxy acid (AHA's), lactic/glycolic acid or alcohol. All of these products will strip the tan and cause patching. and uneven fading.

• DO NOT use any products made by Dove, Nivea or Palmolive. Due to their ingredients, they are not recommended for use on your skin with a spray tan.

• Wait 24 hours to shave if you need to shave. If it's done lightly and quickly, using a sharp razor, (and as infrequently as possible) it may not affect your tan too much. But be aware that shaving may make your tan blotchy in appearance. Waxing is not recommended and will remove your tan altogether.

• Avoid prolonged soaking in water such as long hot showers or baths, hot spas, saunas, extended swimming sessions and chlorinated pools. These will all cause the tan to fade, dry out the skin and cause patchiness. Salt water can also fade your tan and reduce the length of your tan.

• Avoid sports or activities that will cause you to sweat or perspire.

• DO NOT exfoliate your skin until the tan has faded (or just before your next spray tan). When the tan is coming to the end of its life, have a long bath to soak it all off, TANblast bath bombs are great for this, then start exfoliating to ensure the tan fades out evenly ready for your next tan. You can alternataively use Colour Me Bronze Bye Bye Tan Remover Mousse to remove your tan. Both are available to purchase in the salon or online.

• Please remember that a spray tan does not protect you from UVA and UVB rays from the sun. It is imperative to still use an oil free spray tan friendly sunscreens to protect your skin.

​

A range of quality products specifically formulated for spray tans, including moisturisers and tan extenders are available to purchase in the salon or online. This will reduce the rate at which your skin exfoliates and will keep your tan looking better for longer. 

Please remember: DHA can react for up to 24 hours after being spray tanned. This means that you may not have your full colour straight after your shower. Please allow 24 hours to view your potential full colour. Everybody's skin is different, some people will be lucky enough to have their tan develop in minimal time, others may have to wait the full 24 hour period. This means if you are getting your spray tan for a special event it is best to do so 48 hours (2 days) prior to the event.

Please note: For people with sensitive skin or allergies, a patch test can be done on the inside of the elbow or behind the knee with our solution. Please contact the salon at least 48 hours prior to your appointment to arrange this.