SprAy TAn PrepArAtion And Aftercare | art + Sol ChicAgo

prepare for your spray tan

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Shave and exfoliate the evening before, or at minimum 4 hours prior to you appointment. We suggest using our exfoliating mitt.

be sure to do all waxing, nail services, hair and lash appointments prior to your spray tan. You will not be able to get wet for 2-8 hours after your tan (depending on the solution).

no soap, lotion, deodorant, oils or perfumes on your skin the day of the tan. This can create a barrier between your skin and the solution resulting in an uneven tan.

You are welcome to arrive a bit earlier to your appointment to wash your face and remove deodorant if coming straight from work (or no time to stop home).

Bring loose dark fitting clothing to put on after your tan. Long pants and long sleeve shirts are ideal. For shoes- no boots or sneakers, our favorite option is something similar to a fluffy ugg type shoe. Choose something that will not leave any indents or rub onto the feet to create marks. We do sell some cozy blue slippers if you're in a pinch! And no..we don't judge your post tan outfit. We all look the same when leaving a tan...but remember you'll look and feel like a supermodel the next day ;)

Avoid sun exposure prior to your spray tan appointment, sunburns and spray tans do not mix well. Also- discontinue Retin A and AHA’s 1 week prior. Peeling skin + spray tans = NO

Make sure to check the weather. If it's going to rain/snow plan to bring things that will provide full coverage.

Follow these spray tan preparation tips and get the most out of your glow!

what to expect at your spray tan appointment

Get comfortable!

We will do a quick consult and discuss what you're looking for. Going on vacation? Need to shower within the next few hours? First tan? We'll discuss all of this to determine the best solution for you.

Undress to your comfort level! Wear what you're comfortable in. Most clients choose to fully undress, but this is totally at your discretion. We provide disposable thongs/ nipple coverings. Your comfort is our top priority- and remember we do this all day long and have years of experience. If you choose to leave on a snow suit and have us just tan your cheeks- that’s your call! We want to make sure you’re happy and comfortable. Most clients go fully nude or just leave on a thong. Please keep in mind, any clothing or undergarments left on during your service will result in a tan line. All male clientele of any age are required to wear undergarments during the entirety of their service.

Tan time! We will walk you through a series of poses. The spray tan process will take about 10 minutes total. We will definitely chat with you about your upcoming vaca, life, bravo shows or whatever else. Oh, and tan stuff. Ask away! (P.S- you can also request a quiet appt when booking. This means- we will simply do a consult, talk tan stuff then keep quiet during your tan. We get it..life is so overstimulating these days and sometimes you just don’t want to talk. We don’t judge. )

Don't. Touch. Touching your skin during the session will lead to marks & transfer of the bronzer on to your hands. Sometimes clients have the urge to touch their tan as we are spraying or as soon as we are done....please don’t. You’ll just get it on your finger tips and we will have to wipe it and touch things up.

Immediately after we finish spraying you, we will dry you and apply finishing powder. This helps to set the tan so you’re ready to get dressed right away. We will also wipe off your finger nails, toe nails and palms of hands to ensure absolute perfection. Don’t worry about your white nail polish!

Then go ahead and carefully get dressed! We will chat a bit more about post care, make some recommendations for products and give some tips to get the most out of your tan.

Admire your gorgeous temporary color. Become our bestie and book your next tan! And thank you for choosing us :) Giving our clients the best tan is our top priority and we are always here to answer any questions you may have! We love what we do!!!

post care for your spray tan

DO. NOT. GET. WET. Avoid sweating, water exposure and rain until it’s time for your first rinse. Generally 2-8 hours depending on express or classic 8 hour solution. No hand washing until first rinse, it will stop the DHA from developing on the hands and your tan will not fully develop in that area.

Wear loose fitting dark clothing to protect the tan. Long pants and a long sleeve shirt are ideal. Avoid skin to skin contact. If sleeping in your tan (before rinse) make sure you wear loose long pants and long sleeve shirt to bed. Do not lay on your hands. If you are concerned about bronzer transfer on to bedding- put down a large blanket or towel to sleep on that you can wash. If you sweat in excess at night we recommend an express tan to rinse sooner or tanning in the morning so you can rinse before bed.

Your first shower is a WARM WATER RINSE. NO SOAP/NO LOTION. Rinse until the water runs clear and all temporary bronzer is removed. Use your hands only, no washcloths or loofas. It is normal to feel darker prior to the first rinse and lighter immediately after. The tan will continue to develop and even out for up to 48 hours. If you see any imperfections with the bronzer prior to first rinse, don’t worry. 99% of imperfections will even out after the tan is rinsed and fully developed. If you see streaks immediately after the shower, hop right back in and rinse again, use your hands to gently wipe the bronzer layer off. You need to fully rinse off the bronzer layer. This is not your spray tan rinsing off- it is just the cosmetic bronzer.

24 hours after spray tans service you will begin using a spray tan safe body wash and moisturizer. We recommend Art + Sol Clean Day body wash. Avoid DOVE AND OLAY body washes. We recommend using Art + Sol body care, as it will give you the longest lasting best result. Your spray tan artist can provide you with recommendations. We strongly suggest our Cloud Cream, it is formulated for spray tans. Not all products out there are good for spray tans. We suggest using the recommended aftercare products to prolong the life of your tan.

Continue to moisturize your skin and stay hydrated to maintain and extend the life of your gorgeous tan. Tans generally last 5-10 days with proper prep and aftercare.

If this is your first time tanning with us, keep in mind DHA responds differently on each persons skin. Some people tend to tan quickly, some tend to need more time and a higher DHA. We will assess after your first service. DHA (dihydroxyacetone) isn't paint—it’s a colorless sugar that reacts with the proteins and amino acids in your skin to create a natural tan-like color. This chemical reaction, called the Maillard reaction, develops over 4-8 hours, giving you a bronzed glow without sun exposure

Proper prep and aftercare are essential for an even, long-lasting tan because oils, dry skin, and product buildup can interfere with DHA absorption and fading. Hormones, pregnancy, medications, and menstrual cycles can affect skin pH and oil production, sometimes leading to lighter, uneven, or faster-fading results—which is why prepping correctly and following aftercare is key to getting the best glow! Did you know when you're on your cycle your tan can develop about 20% lighter than usual? Good info to let your artist know so we can kick up the DHA a bit and get you to your desired result.

What to Avoid

Avoid Jacuzzis, extended time in chlorinated pools, long hot baths, and exfoliating scrubs, as they can cause premature fading.

Face Tan Maintenance

The tan on your face may fade faster due to cleansing and skincare routines.
You can use our face tanning mist to maintain color between appointments.

Exercising Post-Tan

Avoid intense workouts, sweating, or tight sportswear for at least 24 hours post-rinse.
Sweat can cause premature fading or patchiness, especially in areas where clothing rubs.

Shaving After Your Tan

If shaving, use a new, sharp razor with minimal pressure to avoid exfoliating the tan too quickly.
Avoid shaving foams with heavy moisturizers that can cause premature fading.

Gradual Fading & Touch-Ups

Your tan will naturally fade over time. Keeping skin moisturized twice daily will help it fade evenly.
For touch-ups, use our self-tanning mousse or gradual tanning lotion to extend your glow.
Remember: A perfect tan is 50% artist, 50% client. Following these instructions is key to achieving the best results!

ENJOY YOUR GORGEOUS GLOW! Follow these spray tan aftercare tips and you'll get the most out of your spray tan. We know- it sounds like a lot..we just like to be super thorough. We promise, it's super easy once you do it and you'll become obsessed. There's a reason we are all spray tanning ;)

Questions? Call or text us anytime: 631-213-7755. We are always here to help :)