A smooth spray tan starts before you step into the salon. Preparing your skin helps the solution apply more evenly and can reduce the chance of patchy areas or color collecting around dry spots. The routine is straightforward: exfoliate ahead of time, arrive with clean skin, and wear loose clothes afterward. Follow your tanning professional’s specific instructions, too, since products and development times can vary. Here’s a practical checklist to help you feel ready.
Exfoliate the Day Before
Exfoliate about a day before your appointment, rather than right before it. Use a gentle body scrub, exfoliating mitt, or washcloth to remove flaky skin, especially around elbows, knees, ankles, and feet. These areas tend to be drier and can absorb more tanning solution. Use light pressure; scrubbing hard can leave skin irritated and may affect how the tan looks.
If you shave or wax, plan that around your appointment and ask your tanning professional how much time to leave between hair removal and your session. Avoid trying a new exfoliating product at the last minute. The goal is comfortable, smooth skin—not redness, razor bumps, or sensitivity.
Shower and Arrive With Clean Skin
Take your final shower before your appointment, leaving enough time for your skin to cool and dry completely. A very hot shower immediately beforehand may leave you warm or flushed, while damp skin can interfere with an even application. If you shower earlier, make sure you arrive clean and fully dry.
Skip lotion, body oil, perfume, deodorant, and makeup on the areas being tanned unless your salon says otherwise. These products can create a barrier or react with the tanning solution. If you need to use deodorant or facial products, ask your technician what to remove and when.
Choose Comfortable Clothing
Wear loose, dark clothing to your appointment and for the trip home. Tight waistbands, fitted sleeves, and snug straps can rub against freshly sprayed skin and leave marks. A roomy shirt, relaxed pants, and easy-to-slide-on shoes are practical choices. Dark fabric helps avoid visible transfer from the cosmetic bronzer some solutions contain.
Choose undergarments based on your comfort and the salon’s guidelines. If you plan to wear a bra afterward, a loose style is less likely to press into your skin. Bring a hair tie if you want your hair kept away from your face and shoulders during the session.
Plan for Appointment Day
Arrive with enough time to check in and discuss your preferences. Tell your technician about dry or sensitive areas, recent skin treatments, and any concerns about the shade or how the tan will develop. Follow the salon’s guidance on what to wear during the application; coverage options and procedures can differ.
Before you leave, confirm how long to wait before rinsing and what to do while the tan develops. Avoid workouts, swimming, rain, and activities that cause heavy sweating during that period. Keep your skin dry, don’t touch or rub it unnecessarily, and follow the aftercare directions rather than guessing at the rinse time.
Think of spray tan prep as a few small favors for your skin: exfoliate gently the day before, arrive clean and dry, and wear loose clothes. Your technician can tailor the plan to your skin and the solution being used. For a smooth start, ask Contour Glow about its appointment and aftercare instructions before you visit.