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.

TIP! 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. If scrubs or lotions have been used, wait 24 hours to have your tan, and give the area a light exfoliation (with water only, at least 3 hours before your tan) to remove any remaining product that may still be present on your skin. Nail services such as acrylics/shellac, 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 hair products running down your skin that 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 using a dry brush or exfoliating mitt/glove at least 24-48 hours prior to your appointment. Pay special attention to hands, elbows, knees, ankles, heels and tops of feet. DO NOT do a proper exfoliation on the same day as your tan or the tan won't adhere to your skin properly. Your skin needs at least 24 hours for the acid mantle to reset and for the 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.

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

• Shave or wax at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. DO NOT shave/wax your legs on the same day as your appointment.

• Moisturise daily leading up to your tan, especially the evening prior to your appointment. Use a lot more than you normally would, pay extra attention to any dry areas. This will be the last time you use moisturiser until 24 hours after your appointment. (Avoid Palmolive, 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 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 are showering closer to your appointment time, you must ensure this shower is AT LEAST 3 HOURS before having your tan. Skin will absorb some water during both baths and showers, so you want to make sure the water has left your skin otherwise it can 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 needs to be at it's standard level of around pH5.5. The higher your skins’ pH level is, the more chance you have of the tan resulting in a golden or orange result.

• DO NOT use any soap or body wash 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.

• DO NOT wash your hair the same day as your appointment. Hair products may leave a streaky residue if the product isn't washed off properly. If you need to wash your hair before your appointment, do so within 3 hours of your appointment time, rinse really well and LIGHTLY exfoliate afterwards (with water only) to ensure that no product is left on the skin. Or wash over a sink or bath. It is not recommended to wash your hair the same day as your tan as I can't guarantee an even result.​

• 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 prevents the tan developing as it would normally.

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​THE SPRAY TANNING SESSION​

• Bring or wear comfortable, loose, dark clothing to your appointment. Avoid wearing tight fitting shoes or clothing (jeans, leggings, tight underwear) as it will mark your tan. Also be aware that singlet or tank top straps can leave marks, T -shirts are better! Wear thongs or slip on shoes to wear home. 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 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.

• If you do not wish to be spray tanned naked, you can wear a strapless bra, g-string, your own underwear, bikini, or whatever you feel comfortable in!

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

• If you 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 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.

• You will be advised how long to leve the solution on for, depending on the depth of colour you are wishing to achieve

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WAITING, WAITING, WAITING!

• During the development time, try not to allow your skin to perspire or become wet. That means no washing dishes or exercising! When washing your hands, use a damp face cloth with minimal soap on palms so you have control over where the water goes.

• If you do happen to sweat, apply a little talcum powder or cornflour with a kabuki/makeup brush to the area. 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. If you have leather seats or couches, sit on a towel to avoid perspiring and sticking to the seats!

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

 

RINSING YOUR TAN

• Rinse with PLAIN LUKEWARM WATER ONLY. Using your hands, start with your legs and work your way up your body. Don't forget your ears!

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

• The bronzer will wash away, don't worry, this is not your tan! Just rinse until the water runs clear. You may feel your colour is light after your first rinse, but your colour will 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).

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FROM RINSE TO THE 24 HOUR MARK

Your tan will continue to develop to its full intensity over the next 12-24 hours so anything you put on your skin during this development time can still affect the outcome of the tan. Continue to avoid using any body products (moisturiser, body wash, soap, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner) until 24 hours after your tan, and

avoid sports or activities that will cause you to sweat or perspire.

 

MAINTAINING YOUR TAN AFTER 24 HOURS

For your tan to last as long as possible and fade evenly, it's important you continue to look after your skin.

Your skin will naturally start shedding dead skin cells and the process of natural cell turnover will continue, so you basically want to continue avoiding anything that will exfoliate or renew the skin as this will cause the tan to fade patchy and unevenly.

• You can now start using your body products. Try to find products that are pH balanced or paraben free, free from sulphur laurel sulphates (SLS's), perfumes and colourants. Also avoid using products that dry out the skin as this will cause the tan to fade patchy and unevenly

• Use a body wash, or soap free cleansing bar, rather than soap. A clear gel based product works best rather than a “creamy” moisturising one. If you can’t find a clear pH balanced body wash, choose a gel that is more green, blue or violet rather than yellow or orange. The "Thank You" brand Botanical Geranium & Rosewood Body Wash is the best supermarket choice I have found so far.

• Moisturise twice daily. 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 that doesn't contain any SLS's.

• Avoid harsh wash cloths or loofahs.

• Avoid baby oil or any other mineral oil based products.

• Avoid retinol products.

• Avoid products containing alcohol.

• Avoid peel-off masks, scrubs, toners or products that contain alpha hydroxy acid (AHA's) or lactic/glycolic acid.

• Avoid products made by Olay, Dove, Nivea or Palmolive. Due to their ingredients, they are not spray tan friendly.

• If you need to shave do it 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 (long hot showers/baths, spas, saunas, extended swimming sessions and chlorinated pools). Also avoid salt water.

• Avoid activities that cause you to sweat or perspire.

• DO NOT exfoliate your skin until the tan has faded (or just before your next spray tan).

• To prepare for your next tan, have a long bath then exfoliate, or use our tan remover.

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

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A range of quality products specifically formulated for spray tans  (body wash, moisturisers, tan extenders, tan remover and exfoliating mitts) 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.