A tan can last up to 7-10 days if proper preparation and maintenance is done. Here are some tips to help ensure you enjoy your gorgeous tan for as long as possible.

Preparing for your appointment:

• Exfoliate and shave the day before your appointment.
• Waxing, manicures, pedicures, and facials should be done 24-48 hours before your appointment.
• Arrive with bare skin – no moisturizers, deodorant, perfumes, oils, or makeup. These can cause a barrier between your skin and the solution.
• Dark, loose clothing and sandals to wear right after your appointment is best, but not a must. Avoid anything tight, white, jewelry, and socks. The cosmetic bronzers in the tanning solutions may get on your clothes but should wash out.
• Dry skin is the enemy of a sunless tan. You should moisturize your skin every day for 3 to 5 days leading up to your appointment, just not the day of!

After your appointment while your tan develops:

• While your tan develops, avoid sweating or getting wet before it is time for you to shower.
• Try your best not to touch your skin during this time so your palms don’t pick up color.
• Shower in 8+ hours for the classic tan or 4-6 hours for a rapid tan.

Your first shower:

• We recommend a quick lukewarm shower to rinse.
• Refrain from using soaps, sponges, and wash cloths.
• If you see color washing off in the shower, do not worry. The color that rinses off is the temporary bronzers in the solution, not your tan. Your tan will continue to develop 24 hours after application.
• Gently pat dry with a towel, do not rub.
• Moisturize! Use a water based moisturizer daily to extend the life of your tan.

Maintaining your tan:

• Stay well hydrated with water.
• Use water based moisturizers daily to extend life of the tan.
• After 24 hours, it is okay to shave and use soap. Avoid bar soaps. Using a new razor and hair conditioner in place of shaving cream can prevent the tan coming off prematurely.
• It is very important to remember that a spray tan does not contain sunscreen. Always protect your skin from the sun using adequate SPF.

Products, ingredients, and activities that cause your tan to fade quickly:

• Bar soaps, especially Dove soap
• Any sort of exfoliating anti acne or aging products containing, but not limited to, these of ingredients:

1. sulfates
2. alcohol
3. witch hazel
4. beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid)
5. alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and citric acids)
6. Retin-A/retinol

• Body hair bleach products
• Insect spray
• Facial masks
• Waxing
• Pore strips
• Mineral oils (Vaseline)
• Pools and hot tubs
• Long hot baths
• The use of a loofah, wash cloth, or body scrubs

Simply put, any sort of exfoliation, whether from ingredients or from friction, shortens the life or your tan.