What Is Spray Tanning? – Every Question Answered
If your winter skin needs a fresh new glow and you don’t want to spend time tanning in the sun, then you might consider a spray tan.
Having a spray tan done for the first time, or even considering getting one, raises several questions: is it the right tanning option for you, and what does it entail?
What is spray tanning?
Spray tanning involves spraying a thin mist of spray tan formula all over the body. This thin mist contains dihydroxyacetone, which reacts with your skin to develop a darker colour. Your skin will develop a tan, which will last up to two weeks.
This is just the beginning – there is much more to know about spray tanning before trying it out. We have put together this guide to answer every question you may have about spray tanning.
What Is Spray Tanning?
Spray tanning is a temporary method of tanning that gives your skin a bronze glow, regardless of the time of year.
Many people choose spray tanning to darken their skin because it poses no risk of damaging their skin, unlike tanning in the sun.
A spray tan involves spraying a thin mist over all the areas of the skin that you want tanned.
Spray tan mists contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is a chemical that reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin cells to darken the skin.
DHA is an FDA-approved ingredient that is safe for use on the outer layer of your skin, making it a safe and effective method of tanning. It is significantly safer than tanning in the sun.
Spray tan solutions can be either clear or contain a bronzer. Clear spray tans do not change the colour of the skin instantly and will take a few hours to develop.
Spray tans with bronzers will give the skin an instant glow and colour, while the DHA develops. This bronzer will wash away when you shower, but your underlying colour will have developed by then.
If you are nervous about trying a self-tanner at home and want to avoid spending time in the sun, a spray tan might be a great option for you.
If you want more information on how spray tanning works with visual aids, take a look at this video from Vacay Beauty on YouTube.
Do Spray Tans Look Natural?
It is completely valid to worry about whether a spray tan will look natural or not. Even though spray tans are temporary, you still don’t want to be stuck with orange skin for a few weeks.
Luckily, as spray tans are done by professionals, they should always look as natural as possible. They should be streak-free, not patchy, and they should not have any orange tones.
Your spray tan technician will also help to match the product to your skin type.
This is also why it is crucial to select a professional spray tanning salon or technician to ensure your spray tan appears as natural as possible.
The Different Methods Of Spray Tanning
There are two main methods of spray tanning that salons use. Each has its own pros and cons, and each can give you a gorgeous bronzed glow.
The two most commonly used spray tanning methods are airbrush tanning and spray-booth tanning. Here is a little on each:
Airbrush Tanning
Airbrush tanning is the most popular type, and it is the one that people choose most often.
With airbrush tanning, a professional tanning technician selects the perfect formula for your skin and then uses an airbrush tanning gun to apply the tanning formula evenly.
This requires quite a bit of skill, as the technician must also avoid applying too much spray tan to certain areas that need to stay lighter, and more to areas that would naturally tan darker.
When done properly, an airbrush spray tan will be natural-looking, even, and streak-free.
Spray Tanning Booth
Spray tanning booths are the next most popular spray tanning method.
This method involves you standing in an automatic spray tanning booth, which is fitted with nozzles at different levels which spray the spray tanning solution onto your skin evenly.
You need to ensure that your body is positioned properly in the spray tanning booth to allow the formula to be applied evenly to your skin.
However, as it is more difficult to evenly apply the spray tan manually using this method, it is sometimes not as accurate as when using an airbrush.
How Long Does A Spray Tan Last?
It is essential to understand that spray tans are temporary, and if you want to maintain a dark, bronzed tan, you will need to schedule regular spray tan appointments.
The duration of a spray tan’s effectiveness depends on the level of darkness achieved. Most commonly, a spray tan will last for about 10 days. The lighter your spray tan, the shorter it will last.
Fair spray tans will last around 5 days, and mid-tone tans can last for a week or so.
It all depends on how much DHA is present in the spray tan solution, which is applied to your skin, as well as the amount of spray tan formula used.
A significant factor in determining the longevity of your spray tan is also how you prepare your skin before the application and how you care for it afterwards.
You also need to leave the DHA to develop on your skin for a long enough period before taking a shower after a spray tan.
With proper preparation, leaving your tan to develop for the recommended amount of time, as well as caring for your tan afterwards, you can expect the spray tan to last for up to 10 days before it begins to fade.
Is Spray Tanning Safe?
Spray tanning is considered a safe method of tanning, and it is generally considered safer than spending time in the sun.
DHA is an FDA-approved ingredient for external use, and unless your skin is prone to irritation and sensitivity, it should not have much of an effect on your skin at all.
The DHA in spray tan formulas can be drying on the skin, but the spray tan solution should have added moisturising ingredients that counteract this and instead keep your skin hydrated and nourished.
Do Spray Tans Come In Different Strengths?
Spray tans do come in different strengths. The same spray tan solution cannot be used for fair skin and darker skin tones, indicating a clear need for different spray tan strengths.
The primary difference between various strengths of spray tan solutions lies in the amount of DHA they contain. The more DHA, the darker the colour of the tan will be.
Having a spray tan technician who knows their spray tan formulas and can choose the right colour for your skin tone is crucial for achieving a natural-looking tan.
Do You Have To Prepare For A Spray Tan?
There is definitely preparation that you need to do to achieve the best spray tan results possible. The quality of your skin preparation is directly proportional to the quality of your spray tan.
Here is how you prepare your skin before having a spray tan done:
Exfoliate
Be sure to exfoliate your skin before getting a spray tan. Do this the day before your spray tan appointment, to give your skin time to recover.
Exfoliating helps remove as many dead and dry skin cells as possible, providing a clean base for the spray tan solution to work effectively.
Removing this layer of dead skin cells also means that your tan will last longer, as the new skin cells will take longer to shed.
Shave Or Wax
Try to shave or wax the areas you usually do before your spray tan appointment, too. Do this the day before as well, so your pores have time to close. If not, you might end up with dark spots (see our article, ‘Forgot to Shave Before Spray Tan – Is It Ruined?’).
The hairs might act as a barrier between your skin and the spray tan solution, and cause patches or streaks.
It also means you can go longer without shaving or waxing after the spray tan, and this helps extend your tan, as shaving or waxing can lighten it.
Moisturize
You have to moisturise your skin leading up to the spray tan. If your skin is dry, particularly in areas such as the ankles, knees, or elbows, the spray tan may develop darker and patchier.
Hydrated skin holds on to a spray tan much better and allows it to last longer as well. Please avoid using oil-based moisturisers on the day of your spray tan appointment.
We recommend using a water-based body lotion (like this super hydrating one from Neutrogena) after your tan settles in.
How Do You Care For A Spray Tan?
Knowing how to care for your spray tan is so essential to its lasting and being even and natural-looking!
The first 12 hours after a spray tan are crucial for paying attention to post-tan care. After your spray tan, avoid showering or getting your skin wet for 10 to 12 hours afterwards.
Not only do you have to avoid showering, but you also need to be cautious when washing dishes, walking in the rain, or even brushing your teeth.
The smallest amount of water can significantly alter how your spray tan turns out.
Once you have waited long enough to shower, you can then work to keep your tan glowing and even for as long as possible.
You should avoid exfoliating your skin, as this can cause your tan to fade. Additionally, it is best to wait to shave or wax if possible.
Make sure to moisturise your skin twice daily to keep it hydrated and nourished, allowing your tan to glow and fade evenly when the time comes to fade.
Avoid harsh skin treatments, such as hair removal creams, acne treatments, and face scrubs, as these can strip the tan away.
What Do You Wear To A Spray Tan?
The type of clothing you wear to the spray tanning appointment will depend on the level of tan coverage you want to achieve. For full tan coverage, you would need to wear as little as possible.
You can go naked if you are comfortable; otherwise, a thong and a bra can work too. Just be mindful of tan lines.
Disposable underwear is a good option, as it is likely that you will get spray tan on the underwear, and this can often stain.
Therefore, being able to throw the underwear away afterwards saves you some cleaning.
Remove your jewellery, hairbands, and anything else you might have on.
Make sure that you also wipe your skin clean of makeup, products, and treatments, and that no deodorant is left on your skin (particularly under your arms — as this could cause the spray tan to turn green).
After the spray tan, try to wear loose-fitting clothing, such as a loose cotton dress or flowing pants paired with a baggy shirt.
Tight clothing will rub against the spray tan, preventing it from developing evenly on your skin.
Also, avoid wearing clothes that might cause you to sweat, because just like getting your skin wet in the shower, sweating can disrupt the development of your tan.
How Often Can You Spray Tan?
To maintain a dark, bronzed glow, schedule regular spray tan sessions, as spray tans do not last indefinitely.
Depending on how long your tan lasts and how well you care for it, you can get a professional spray tan every 2–3 weeks.
Ideally, you should wait until your spray tan has faded before getting a new one. However, you can exfoliate before the appointment to help the tan fade evenly.
To keep your skin healthy and hydrated, it’s recommended to wait a week between your tan fading and your next spray tan.
Additionally, it’s worth discussing with your spray tan technician the creation of a regular schedule tailored to your skin type and tone.
Final Thoughts
Spray tanning is one of the best ways to achieve a deep, bronzed glow without spending time in the sun or risking streaks and patches with self-tanning products at home.
The DHA in spray tans reacts with your skin’s natural chemistry to darken the skin until those skin cells shed off and the tan fades.
You can enjoy a gorgeous tan, regardless of the season, with the help of a tanning technician who will apply the spray tan solution evenly to your skin, allowing you to select the perfect shade for you.
Take a read through our comprehensive guide above to find out if spray tanning is the best tanning option for you.
Related Questions
How long does a spray tanning session last?
A typical, full-coverage spray tanning session usually lasts around 30 minutes. This is a quick and easy way to achieve a full tan without any effort on your part.
How do I sleep the night after a spray tan?
If your spray tan is still developing when you go to bed and you haven’t showered yet, it is a good idea to sleep in loose-fitting, long clothes.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants that are not tight on your skin. This prevents smudging and prevents the solution from staining your bed linen.
