A flawless, even, long-lasting spray tan is mostly about what happens before you walk in and after you walk out. Our Nuda spray tan does the work, but your prep and aftercare decide how good it looks and how long it lasts. Here is exactly what to do.
Before your appointment (the 24-hour window)
The day before matters more than the day of.
- Shave or wax at least 24 hours ahead, not the day of. Freshly shaved skin and open follicles can leave spots and dots.
- Exfoliate 24 hours before to clear away dead skin so color goes on smooth and even. A polishing scrub and exfoliating mitt are perfect for this.
- Finish other services first. Facials, massage, manicures, pedicures, and injectables should be done at least 24 hours before your tan.
- Moisturize in the days leading up, but not on the day of your appointment.
The day of your appointment
Come with a clean, bare canvas.
- Shower a few hours before, roughly 3 to 12 hours ahead.
- No lotion, oil, cream, deodorant, perfume, makeup, or sunscreen on your skin. Any residue creates a barrier and uneven color.
- Wear loose, dark clothing to your appointment and to leave in.
While your tan develops
- Stay dry. No water, no sweating, no steam until your rinse.
- Skip products and makeup on the skin during development.
- Stay in loose, dark clothing. Tight seams and light fabrics can press or lift color.
Why the rinse timing matters
This is the step people get wrong, so it is worth understanding. The color you see right away is a cosmetic bronzer, almost like makeup. The real tan develops underneath as the solution reacts with your skin. Rinsing at the right time is what locks in an even, true color.
- Rinse exactly when your specialist tells you, based on the solution you chose. A classic solution develops longer, a rapid solution develops faster, so your specialist will give you the exact window before you leave.
- Rinse too early and you stop the tan before it fully develops, so it comes out lighter than planned.
- Your first rinse is warm water only, no soap and no scrubbing. Just let the guide bronzer run off.
- Do not judge your color until after that first full shower. What rinses away is the cosmetic layer, and what is left is your real glow.
Aftercare to make it last
- Avoid long, hot showers, heavy sweating, and exfoliating while your tan is on.
- Stay out of pools, the ocean, saunas, and hot tubs, which break a tan down fast.
- Moisturize every day. Hydrated skin fades slowly and evenly.
- Use a gentle, tan-safe body wash and lotion so you are not stripping color in the shower.
- Wear sunscreen. A spray tan gives you color, not sun protection.
Home care we love
To get the most out of your glow, keep a few clean, tan-safe products on hand: a daily hydrating moisturizer, a sulfate-free body wash, a polishing scrub and mitt for prepping your next tan, and a mineral sunscreen for daily protection. Ask your specialist which to take home for your skin.
Ready to glow? Book your spray tan here.
FAQ
How long does a spray tan last?
With good aftercare, around 10 days. Daily moisturizing and gentle washing make the biggest difference.
When can I shower after my spray tan?
At the time your specialist tells you, which depends on your solution. Your first rinse is warm water only, no soap or scrubbing.
Why does my tan look lighter after I rinse?
What rinses off is the cosmetic bronzer. Your true color is underneath and keeps developing for several hours, so judge it after your first full shower.
What should I avoid after a spray tan?
Long hot showers, exfoliating, heavy sweating, pools, the ocean, saunas, and hot tubs.