Get the glow right — your complete spray tan preparation guide

A gorgeous, flawless spray tan isn’t just about the skill of your technician — it’s also about how well your skin is prepared before the appointment, and how carefully you look after your tan afterwards.

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Preparation

Preparation Guide

Follow our simple step-by-step guides below and you’ll give yourself the very best chance of a streak-free, even, long-lasting result that looks truly natural — every single time. We’ve covered everything from what to do in the days leading up to your appointment, through to how to care for your tan once it’s on. Read it once before your first appointment and refer back to it whenever you need a refresher.

Appointment

Before Your Appointment
How to Prepare Your Skin

Exfoliate Thoroughly — 24 Hours Before Your Appointment

Exfoliation removes the layer of dead skin cells that would otherwise cause your tan to develop unevenly or fade in patches. Use an oil-free exfoliating mitt or scrub and work all over your body, paying particular attention to drier areas — knees, elbows, ankles, hands and wrists — and any dead skin accumulates most quickly.

Wax or Shave — at Least 24 Hours Before

Any hair removal should be completed at least 24 hours before your spray tan appointment. Freshly shaved or waxed skin has open pores and can be temporarily sensitive — applying a tanning solution too soon can result in uneven absorption, dark spots around the follicles, or irritation.

Moisturise — the Night Before (Not the Day Of)

Well-moisturised skin holds a tan significantly better and helps to ensure an even, consistent result. Apply a generous, oil-free moisturiser all over your body the evening before your appointment, again focusing on drier areas such as knees, elbows, heels and ankles.

Arrive Product-Free on the Day

On the day of your Sunkissed spray tan appointment your skin must be completely clean and free from all products. Before your technician arrives please ensure you have not applied any of the following: moisturiser, body lotion, fake tan or gradual tanner, deodorant or antiperspirant, perfume or body spray, make-up, hair products.

Remove Jewellery & Contact Lenses

Before your technician begins, please remove all jewellery — rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings — as these will leave marks in the tan. Contact lens wearers should also remove their lenses prior to the appointment, as the fine mist of tanning solution in the air during application can irritate the eyes.

Prepare Your Space

As a fully mobile tanning service, your Sunkissed technician arrives at your home with everything needed — including a professional pop-up tanning cubicle, spray tan machine and tanning gun, a powerful extractor fan, towels, and a selection of tanning solutions. To help the session run smoothly, it’s helpful if you can clear a small area where the pop-up tanning cubicle can be set up (approximately 1.2m × 1.2m is sufficient).

Choose Your Shade

Before your technician begins the application, you’ll have a personal colour consultation. This is your opportunity to discuss the look you’d like to achieve — whether that’s a subtle, barely-there glow, a warm holiday bronze, or a deep, dramatic tan for a special occasion. Your technician will assess your natural skin tone and recommend the solution and depth of colour that will work best for you from our premium range.

Your Solution

Immediately After Your Spray
Tan — The First 8–12 Hours

The period immediately following your spray tan is critical. Your solution needs time to develop fully, and
what you do in the hours after your appointment will have a direct impact on the quality and longevity of
your finished result.

Wear Loose, Dark Clothing

Have a set of loose, dark-coloured clothing ready to put on immediately after your session. Tight-fitting items — jeans, leggings, bras, waistbands — can rub against the skin while the tan is still developing and leave marks or streaks. Dark colours are recommended as the guide colour from the solution can transfer onto lighter fabrics. Opt for flip-flops or loose-fitting footwear rather than tight boots or trainers, which can rub the tan from your feet and ankles.

Avoid Water Completely

Do not allow your skin to come into contact with any water during the development period. This means: no showering or bathing, no swimming, no washing up without gloves, staying out of the rain where possible, drinking from a straw to avoid water on your lips.

Avoid Sweating

Try to avoid any strenuous activity, heavy exercise, or situations that would cause you to sweat in the hours after your tan. Sweat can cause the developing solution to streak or move on the skin. If you’re planning to exercise, schedule it for before your appointment rather than after.

Don’t Touch Your Skin

Try to avoid touching your skin unnecessarily while your tan is developing. The tanning solution on the surface of your skin transfers easily at this stage and can lead to uneven patches, particularly on the hands and fingertips.

Don’t Apply Any Products

During the development period, do not apply any moisturiser, make-up, perfume, or deodorant to your skin. Wait until you have had your first shower before resuming your usual skincare routine.

Your First Shower

Your first shower after your spray tan should be lukewarm — not hot. Use plain water only for the first rinse, without any shower gel, scrub, shampoo, or soap. This initial rinse is simply to wash away the guide colour — the dark bronzer on the surface of your skin — and reveal the natural-looking tan that has developed underneath.

Development Times at a Glance

  • Fake Bake (Classic)
    Develop for 8–12 hours. Shower the following morning for a session carried out in the evening.
  • Fake Bake Express
    Rinse the cosmetic guide colour after 1–4 hours — the longer you leave it before rinsing, the deeper the starting shade. The tan then continues to develop on your skin for another 6–8 hours after the rinse.
  • Nouvatan
    Develop for 8–12 hours as standard.
  • Sienna X
    Develop for 8–12 hours as standard.

Aftercare

Maintaining Your Tan — Making It Last as Long as Possible

With the right aftercare your Sunkissed spray tan can last up to 7–10 days. The key is hydration, gentle
cleansing, and avoiding anything that accelerates the natural skin cell turnover.

Moisturise Every Day

Daily moisturising is the single most effective way to extend the life of your tan. Dry skin sheds more rapidly, causing your tan to fade unevenly and more quickly. Use an oil-free, paraben-free moisturiser all over your body every day — ideally immediately after showering whilst the skin is still slightly damp.

Shower Gently

Swap your usual shower routine for something a little gentler whilst your tan is in place. Keep showers short and use lukewarm rather than hot water — long, hot showers open the pores and strip the skin. Use mild, non-stripping shower gels such as Sanex, Simple, or plain baby shower gel. Avoid anything with citrus, AHAs, or heavy moisturising agents such as Dove or Imperial Leather. Pat — don’t rub — your skin dry with a soft towel.

Avoid Exfoliation

Hold off from exfoliating your skin until you’re ready for your tan to fade. Exfoliation removes the skin cells on which your tan sits, so using scrubs or exfoliating mitts whilst your tan is developing will cause it to fade rapidly and unevenly.

Minimise Chlorine and Saltwater

Both chlorinated swimming pools and saltwater will strip your tan more quickly. If you are swimming, keep it to a minimum, shower immediately afterwards with plain water, and moisturise well. Avoid prolonged soaking in baths, hot tubs or Jacuzzis for the same reason.

Avoid AHA-Containing Products

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) — found in many anti-ageing creams, glycolic washes, and some toners — are natural exfoliants and will cause your tan to fade significantly faster. Check the ingredients of any skincare products you use regularly and avoid those containing AHAs, glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid for the duration of your tan.

Quick-Reference Checklist

Pin this somewhere handy and tick off each step before your appointment:

The Night Before

  • Exfoliate all over with an oil-free scrub or mitt, focusing on knees, elbows, ankles and hands
  • Shave or wax (if required)
  • Apply a generous oil-free moisturiser all over the body
  • Remove any fake tan or gradual tanner residue

On the Day

  • Shower in a plain, non-moisturising gel — no Dove or similar
  • Do not apply moisturiser, deodorant, perfume, or make-up
  • Remove all jewellery
  • Remove contact lenses
  • Have loose, dark clothing ready to wear after the session
  • Clear a small space for the tanning cubicle

After Your Tan

  • No water contact for 8–12 hours (1–3 hours for Express)
  • Wear loose, dark clothes and flip-flops
  • Avoid exercise and sweating
  • First shower in lukewarm water only — no products
  • Pat skin dry, do not rub
  • Moisturise daily with an oil-free lotion
  • Use mild shower gels (Sanex, Simple, or baby gel)
  • Avoid AHAs, exfoliants, and heavily moisturising shower gels
  • Minimise chlorine and saltwater exposure

Treat Yourself — Book a Spray Tan at Home

Now you know exactly how to prepare, you’re ready for a flawless
result. Book your Sunkissed mobile spray tan today — flexible daytime
and evening appointments Monday to Friday 10am–8pm, with
weekends on request across Hertfordshire and NW London.

07966 579598