How to Prepare for Your First Spray Tan

A flawless, natural-looking spray tan doesn’t just happen in the appointment itself — the preparation you do beforehand plays a huge role in how your results look and how long they last. If you’re booking your first professional spray tan, or you’ve had disappointing results in the past, this guide will walk you through exactly how to prepare so you can achieve the best possible glow.

Why Preparation Matters

Spray tanning works by applying a solution containing DHA (dihydroxyacetone) to the outermost layer of your skin, which reacts with amino acids to create a temporary bronzing effect. Because this reaction happens on the surface layer of skin cells, anything that affects that surface — dead skin, oils, lotions, or product residue — can impact how evenly the tan develops and how long it lasts.

Proper preparation ensures the tanning solution can be applied evenly across smooth, clean skin, resulting in a more natural, longer-lasting result without patchiness or premature fading.

Exfoliate the Day Before

Exfoliation is arguably the single most important step in spray tan preparation. Removing dead skin cells creates a smooth, even surface for the tanning solution to adhere to. Focus particularly on areas prone to dryness and flaking, such as elbows, knees, ankles, and hands, as these areas tend to absorb more solution and can appear darker if not properly prepped.

It’s best to exfoliate the day before your appointment rather than immediately beforehand, as this gives your skin’s natural oils time to normalise without being freshly stripped right before your tan.

Avoid Moisturiser, Deodorant, and Makeup on the Day

On the day of your appointment, skip moisturiser, deodorant, perfume, and makeup. These products create a barrier on the skin that can prevent the tanning solution from developing evenly, potentially leading to patchy or streaky results, particularly under the arms and around the face.

If your skin feels particularly dry, a light, oil-free moisturiser can be used the night before, but avoid applying anything on the day itself.

Wear the Right Clothing

Choose loose, dark, and comfortable clothing for your appointment and the trip home. Tight clothing can rub against freshly applied solution and cause it to transfer or develop unevenly, while light-coloured fabrics may pick up some of the initial bronzing guide colour used in many spray tan solutions.

Avoid tight bras, socks, or jewellery immediately after your appointment, as these can leave marks in the tan as it develops.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

At Glow Haus, our tanning solution is customised and calibrated to your exact skin tone and preference, ensuring a natural-looking result rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Using state-of-the-art airbrush application, our experienced technicians apply the solution evenly across your entire body, paying close attention to blending around hands, feet, and joints for a seamless finish.

The appointment itself typically takes around thirty minutes, during which your technician will guide you through simple positions to ensure even coverage across your whole body.

Caring for Your Tan After Your Appointment

Once your tanning solution has been applied, avoid showering, sweating, or getting your skin wet for at least six to eight hours, or as advised by your technician, to allow the solution to fully develop. Avoid tight clothing, exercise, and swimming during this development period.

When you do shower for the first time, use lukewarm water and a gentle, sulphate-free body wash, patting your skin dry rather than rubbing. Moisturise daily with an oil-free, hydrating lotion to extend the life of your tan and prevent premature fading or patchiness as your skin naturally exfoliates.

How Long Does a Spray Tan Last?

A professional spray tan typically lasts between five to ten days, gradually fading as your skin’s natural exfoliation cycle sheds the outer layer of tanned skin cells. Proper aftercare, particularly regular moisturising and avoiding harsh exfoliants, can help extend the life of your tan.

Common Spray Tan Mistakes to Avoid

Many first-time spray tan clients make simple mistakes that affect their results. Shaving or waxing immediately before your appointment can leave pores open, leading to uneven colour development — it’s best to do this at least twenty-four hours beforehand. Similarly, swimming in chlorinated pools or hot tubs shortly after your tan can cause it to fade unevenly and prematurely.

Skipping exfoliation before your appointment is another common mistake that leads to patchy, uneven results, particularly around dry areas like elbows and knees.

Why Choose Professional Airbrush Application

While at-home self-tanning products have improved significantly, professional airbrush application offers a level of precision and evenness that’s difficult to achieve alone. A skilled technician can custom-blend your solution, adjust application based on your skin’s natural undertone, and ensure even coverage across hard-to-reach areas like your back.

At Glow Haus, our tanning specialist brings extensive spray tanning experience, delivering a flawless, custom glow tailored to each individual client.

Choosing the Right Tan Shade for Your Skin Tone

One of the biggest advantages of professional spray tanning over at-home products is the ability to customise your tan shade to suit your natural skin tone. Fair skin tones generally suit lighter, more subtle shades that develop a soft, natural-looking colour without appearing overly dark or orange. Medium skin tones have more flexibility and can generally handle a slightly deeper shade while still looking natural. Deeper skin tones can often carry richer, more intense formulas beautifully, enhancing their natural colour with added warmth and glow.

At Glow Haus, our tanning solution is calibrated specifically to your skin tone and personal preference, rather than applying a generic, one-size-fits-all formula. This is one of the key reasons professional airbrush tanning tends to look so much more natural than at-home alternatives.

Spray Tanning for Different Skin Types

Your skin type can also influence how your spray tan develops and how long it lasts. Those with drier skin types may find their tan fades slightly faster in areas prone to flaking, making regular moisturising particularly important for extending the life of the tan. Oilier skin types may find the tan develops slightly differently in areas with more natural oil production, which your technician can account for during application.

Those with sensitive skin should mention this during their consultation, as some tanning solutions are formulated to be gentler and less likely to cause any reaction or irritation.

In-Home Spray Tanning: A Convenient Alternative

For those with busy schedules or who simply prefer the comfort of their own space, in-home spray tanning offers a convenient alternative to visiting a salon. A qualified technician brings all the necessary equipment directly to you, providing the same calibrated, professional-quality application in the comfort of your own home.

This option is particularly popular before big events like weddings, where getting ready in a familiar environment can help reduce stress on an already busy day. It’s also a great option for group bookings, such as bridal parties or birthday celebrations, where multiple people want to be tanned in the same location.

Booking your spray tan the day before your event is generally ideal, allowing the colour to fully develop while still looking fresh.

Can I shower the same day as my spray tan?

It’s best to avoid showering for at least six to eight hours after your appointment to allow the solution to properly develop.

Will a spray tan stain my clothes or sheets?

Wearing loose, dark clothing and using dark sheets for your first sleep after your tan can help minimise any potential transfer.

Is spray tanning safe?

Professional spray tanning is a safe, UV-free way to achieve a bronzed look without sun exposure or the associated skin damage risks.

What if I have a special event and I’m nervous about how my tan will turn out?

Booking a trial spray tan a few weeks before your event is a great way to test your preferred shade and see how your skin responds, removing any uncertainty before the big day itself.

Can I exercise after getting a spray tan?

It’s best to avoid exercise and sweating for at least twenty-four hours after your appointment, as sweat can cause the solution to develop unevenly or streak before it has fully set.

Book Your Spray Tan at Glow Haus

Ready for a natural, long-lasting glow? Book your custom spray tan at Glow Haus in Potts Point and let our experienced technicians take care of the rest.

Book Your Skin Needling Treatment Today

Glow Haus — Shop 5/13 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point, NSW 2011