Avoid These 10 Spray Tan Mistakes to Get Your Most Radiant, Even Glow Yet

Key Takeaways

• Spray tans are one of the safest, easiest ways to achieve a summer glow, but if you've ever gotten different results than you'd hoped, it may have been due to the wrong prep, products, or aftercare.

• Listen to your spray tan artist's directions on timing and technique, and be sure to arrive with loose clothing and your skin free of oil-based or fragranced products.

Getting a spray tan can make you feel like a million bucks. After all, there are few beauty treatments you can get that A) work immediately and B) instantly make you look like a bronzed goddess—not to mention how it's one of the only safe ways to get a tan . The process is quite simple, too: You walk in, remove your clothes, get sprayed, and leave. With that said, there are a lot of factors to consider before and after your tan to ensure bronzed, glowy perfection.

Should you moisturize before a spray tan ? Should you wear makeup on your face? What kind of clothes should you wear? Should you be bending over during your session? What happens if you forget to turn around and end up like Ross from Friends ? (If you know, you know.)

The truth is, how you prep, what you do during your session, and what you do post-spray tan can all have an effect on your final look. So, we asked two celebrity spray tan artists to tell us what we may be doing wrong and what we should do instead. Read on to learn how to get your best spray tan ever—thank us later.

Meet the Experts

• Sophie Evans is a skin-finishing expert and brand ambassador for St. Tropez . Her A-list clientele includes Margot Robbie, Hugh Jackman, and Kate Moss.

• Kristyn Pradas is a celebrity spray tan artist and founder of Pradas Glow . She has worked with A-list stars such as Bella Hadid, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato.

Mistake 1: Not Removing Old Spray Tan Before Getting a New One

This is the worst thing you can do: Layering a fresh spray tan over an old, patchy, and flaky tan will result in a mismatched mess. So, make sure to properly remove your spray tan or self-tanner before getting a new one.

"For small areas, use a hair-removal cream , and apply with a Q-tip precisely onto the areas," Evans says. "For sensitive skin or for your face, cleanse first, lightly exfoliate with a facial scrub, then apply an astringent toner with a cotton ball and sweep over dark areas of self-tanner." Furthermore, soaking the area in oils or in a pool with chlorine can also do the trick.

Mistake #2: Applying Lotion Incorrectly Pre-Tan

"Before your appointment, make sure hands, feet, elbows, knees, and any other problem areas are well-moisturized. But we never moisturize the whole body, as this will result in a lighter tan," Evans says. Instead, she suggests applying body lotion to the palms of your hands; creases in your wrists, elbows, feet, the back of your heels, and any other serious dry areas, like a patch of eczema . For this, we recommend a rich, velvety formula, as Pradas says these types of formulas will prevent those areas from developing too dark or patchy, for a more even finish.

Mistake #3: Skipping Pre-Tan Exfoliation

To ensure the smoothest, most even spray tan, exfoliation is necessary to make sure your skin is in tip-top condition. Remember, it's the canvas for your tan. "For the smoothest application and a long-lasting tan, exfoliate the skin two to three days in a row prior to application, as this will ensure you remove as many dead skin cells as possible for a flawless self tan," Pradas says. Furthermore, she adds that you should exfoliate the entire body where you will be applying the self-tanner, plus focus on areas such as ankles, heels, knees, elbows, hands, knuckles, and any other areas you experience dryness.

Mistake #4: Messing Up Your Hair Removal Schedule

Similar to why you should exfoliate pre-spray tan, you want to remove hair from the areas you will be treating to ensure the smoothest application. Pradas says the rules of thumb are shaving 24 hours prior to application, waxing at least 48 hours prior to application, and laser hair removal four to five days prior to a spray tan. If you do it too close to your appointment, the pores may still be open, which could result in your tan giving you the appearance of strawberry legs .

Mistake #5: Applying the Wrong Products Pre-Tan

Oil-based and fragranced products can interfere with your tan, as they create a barrier on your skin that can prevent even absorption. Thoroughly cleanse your skin before heading in for your tan, and skip moisturizer in places you don't need it. Make sure the lotion you do use on areas like your hands, feet, elbows, and knees is oil-free and water-based.

Mistake #6: Picking the Wrong Spray Tan Strength

Spray tans are customizable, meaning you get to pick your desired shade. If you go too light, you may be underwhelmed with the results, but opting for too dark of a shade can be jarring and unnatural, as well. For the best results, tell your spray tan artist what you're envisioning, and bring reference photos to help them understand the tone you're going for. Furthermore, you can ask them to give you the illusion of defined muscles by darkening the spray tan where you want to see more definition.

Mistake #7: Forgetting to Bend Over

For a full 360 spray tan, you need to make sure your spray tan artist gets to those hard-to-reach areas, such as below the butt cheeks. If they spray you straight-forward without asking you to bend over, you could end up with two pale spots beneath each cheek. (Gravity, eh?)

Mistake #8: Forgetting Your Loose Clothing at Home

The last thing you want to do is to have your fresh spray tan rub off on a pair of constricting leggings. Your best bet will be to wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent friction from scraping off your tan as it develops. Plus, it's a great excuse to wear your comfy oversized hoodie and your favorite sweats.

Mistake #9: Showering or Working Out Too Soon

If you haven't given your spray tan the time to fully develop, sweat and water can interfere with the process, resulting in streakiness or a weaker tan than desired. Listen to your spray tan artist's instructions: You'll likely want to wait 12-24 hours before showering or working out if you got a standard spray tan, or 3-5 hours for a rapid version.

Mistake #10: Using the Wrong Products Afterward

It's important to keep your skin moisturized to extend the longevity of your spray tan, but some ingredients will actually strip your tan away instead of boosting it. Oils, for example, can be as much of a culprit when used soon after your tan as when applied right before. So, as much as you love your coconut oil for head-to-toe moisture, save it as a hair treatment instead.

Many skincare products are specifically formulated to care for your skin and extend your spray tan's life. Try a gradual tanning lotion for your body, and a self-tanning serum or bronzing drops for your face.

Frequently asked Questions

What is the best moisturizer to use before a spray tan?

A couple days before your spray tan, moisturize your body with a hydrating formula. Avoiding oils and fragrances is also best to ensure an even result.

Can I moisturize two hours before a spray tan?

Two hours before your spray tan, the only areas you should be moisturizing are extra-dry areas like the knees, elbows, wrists, hands, and feet.

How should I prepare my skin before a spray tan?

A few days before your spray tan, start exfoliating to remove any old self-tan or dead skin. About 48 hours before, take care of any waxing, and 24 hours before, shave, exfoliate, and moisturize.

Should you moisturize before a fake tan?

Before a fake tan, the only areas you should moisturize are the really dry spots like behind the knees and elbows. Full body moisturizing should take place 24 hours before because if you have lotion on your skin before a fake tan, the tan won't adhere to the skin as well.

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