A spray tan is really two things happening at once: the artistry of the technician and the condition of the canvas they're working with. Most of what determines whether your color comes out smooth and even happens before you ever step into the booth. This is the prep checklist we walk every client through, and why each step actually matters. For full pricing and details on our organic spray tanning service, our formulas use naturally derived, plant-based DHA rather than synthetic tanning agents — worth knowing as you think about how your skin will respond to it.

Exfoliate — But Time It Right

Exfoliating removes the dry, flaking skin cells that would otherwise shed unevenly over the following days and take your color with them. The DHA in spray tan solution reacts with the outermost layer of skin, so if that layer is uneven or flaky to begin with, the result will be too. Focus extra attention on naturally drier areas — elbows, knees, ankles, and wrists — since these tend to grab and hold more color than smoother areas, creating a slightly darker, more orange-toned patch if they aren't exfoliated first.

Exfoliate the day of or the day before your appointment. Exfoliating too far in advance gives new dead skin cells time to build back up before your session.

Shave 24 to 48 Hours Before — Not Same-Day

This is one of the most commonly missed steps, and it matters more than people expect. Shaving opens hair follicles, and if you tan too soon afterward, solution can settle into those open follicles and develop into small dark dots — sometimes called "dot syndrome" in the industry. Giving your skin 24 to 48 hours to recover before your appointment lets those follicles close back up, so the color develops smoothly across the surface instead of concentrating in tiny points.

Same-Day Rules
  • No moisturizer, oil, or lotion — these create a barrier that blocks the solution from developing evenly.
  • No deodorant or antiperspirant — especially important in the underarm area, where it commonly causes streaking.
  • No perfume, body spray, or makeup on areas being tanned.
  • A morning shower is fine — just not right before your appointment, and skip the moisturizer afterward.

Come In Clean, Leave the Products at Home

Anything on your skin the day of your appointment — moisturizer, deodorant, perfume, makeup — creates a barrier between your skin and the tanning solution. DHA needs to bond directly with the outermost layer of skin to develop color evenly, and any product sitting on top of that layer interferes with the process. This is why "come in clean" is one of the simplest and most important instructions we give every client.

What to Wear

Loose, dark clothing, both to your appointment and immediately after. Tight clothing rubs against developing solution and can create visible lines exactly where fabric presses against skin. Dark fabric also hides any bronzer transfer that happens before your first rinse — the bronzer in our Classic and Rapid formulas gives immediate visible color while the DHA develops underneath, and it's normal for a small amount to transfer onto clothing before rinsing. Open-toed shoes or flip-flops are strongly recommended so the tops of your feet stay uncovered and untouched after your session.

What to Avoid vs. What's Fine

Avoid — Day Of
  • Moisturizer or body lotion
  • Deodorant or antiperspirant
  • Perfume or body spray
  • Makeup on areas being tanned
  • Shaving (do this 24–48 hrs before)
  • Swimming — chlorine strips developing DHA
Fine to Do
  • Morning shower (not right before)
  • Light facial moisturizer (won't be tanned)
  • Eating and drinking as normal
  • Light exercise earlier in the day
  • Nail polish (avoid getting solution on nails)
  • Jewelry — just remove it at the studio

Set Up Your Aftercare Before You Even Arrive

Prep isn't just about the hours before your appointment — it helps to plan your aftercare too. Our Shower Glow DHA-safe body wash ($18.99, buy online) is formulated to cleanse without stripping developing color, and Skin Glow tan extender ($18.99, buy online), with Vitamins A and E, helps lock in moisture and extend your result. If you want to try both first, the Shower & Skin Glow Sample Pack ($9.99) is also available online. Having these ready before your appointment means you're not scrambling to figure out aftercare once your tan is already developing.

For a full walkthrough of both prep and aftercare in one place, see our complete spray tan prep guide.

The booth does everything else. Your job is to show up with the right canvas. Prep is half the tan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I exfoliate before a spray tan?
The day of or the day before your appointment, with extra attention to dry areas like elbows, knees, ankles, and wrists.
When should I shave before a spray tan?
At least 24 hours before, ideally 48. This lets open hair follicles close so solution doesn't settle into them and create dark dots.
Can I moisturize before my spray tan?
Skip moisturizer the day of your appointment — it creates a barrier that blocks even development. Moisturize after your first rinse instead.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Loose, dark clothing and open-toed shoes, both to your appointment and after, to avoid rubbing off developing solution or exposing bronzer transfer.
Naturally Bronzed Wellness Studio
Naturally Bronzed Wellness Studio
Great Neck, NY · 200 Middle Neck Rd