Your appointment is only half the process. What you do in the days after your organic spray tan has a real, measurable effect on how long your color lasts and how evenly it fades. None of this is complicated, but a few habits make a genuine difference.
Your First Rinse Matters Most
Follow your assigned rinse time exactly — whether that's the fixed 8-hour Classic window or your chosen point within the Rapid 2-to-4-hour range. When you do rinse, use warm water only, skip soap or cleanser entirely, and avoid scrubbing, washcloths, or loofahs. Gently pat your skin dry afterward rather than rubbing. This first rinse simply removes the bronzer guide color and any excess solution — the actual DHA color has already developed in your skin by this point.
- Warm water only for your first rinse — no soap.
- No scrubbing — pat dry instead of rubbing.
- Wait to moisturize until after your first rinse is complete.
- Avoid tight clothing and prolonged sweating for the first day.
Moisturize Daily, Starting the Day After
Since DHA color lives entirely in the outermost layer of skin — the same layer that's constantly shedding as part of normal skin renewal — keeping that layer hydrated is the single most effective thing you can do to extend your tan. Well-hydrated skin sheds more gradually and evenly; dry, flaking skin sheds in visible patches, which is what creates the blotchy, uneven look people associate with a "bad" fade. This has less to do with the tan itself and more to do with skin care after the fact.
Shorter, Cooler Showers
Long, hot showers accelerate the natural shedding process — heat and prolonged water exposure soften and loosen the outer skin layer faster than normal. Shorter, cooler showers help your color last closer to the full 5 to 7 days rather than fading early.
What to Avoid
- Chlorinated pools and salt water — both strip color faster than fresh water.
- Frequent shaving — each pass removes a layer of skin along with some color.
- Harsh soaps, scrubs, or exfoliating acids — these speed up shedding.
- Tight clothing and heavy friction — repeated rubbing in the same spots fades color unevenly.
Use Products Formulated for Sunless Tanning
Standard body washes often contain sulfates that strip color faster than necessary. We carry two products specifically formulated to work with — not against — your tan:
Want to try both before committing to full size? The Shower & Skin Glow Sample Pack ($9.99) includes travel sizes of both.
The tan is the easy part. What you do for the next week is what decides whether it fades gracefully or patchily.
Frequently Asked Questions
