What should I avoid before my first shower after a spray tan?

Avoid contact with water, strenuous exercise that makes you sweat, tight clothing and touching your skin. At this stage, you are still wearing the guide colour and your tan is continuing to develop.

What should my first shower after a spray tan be like?

We will agree the timing during your appointment. Keep the shower as brief as possible, use lukewarm water and rinse your body until the water runs clear.

Should I use shower gel and a sponge during my first shower?

No. Wash your body with water only and use your hands to rinse away the guide colour. The colour washing away is the bronzer, not the tan itself, which can continue developing for up to 24 hours after your appointment.

How should I care for my tan after 24 hours?

Moisturise with a light body lotion, drink plenty of water, take short showers using a gentle, pH-neutral body wash, and avoid strong acids and retinol. When your tan begins to fade, exfoliate to prepare your skin for your next spray tan, prevent patchiness and return to your natural skin tone.

Spray Tanning · Guide

Spray Tan Aftercare

At this stage, you are still wearing the guide colour and your tan is continuing to develop. Here are five steps to help you maintain a beautiful, even result.

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After your appointment

The longer you leave the guide colour on, the deeper the result

Looking after your skin following a spray tan is just as important as preparing it beforehand. What you do before your first shower and over the following days determines how long your tan lasts and how evenly it fades.

Protecting the spray tan guide colour before your first shower

Step 01

Before your shower

At this stage, you are still wearing the guide colour. Your tan is continuing to develop.

Before rinsing off the guide colour, avoid:

Contact with water — water droplets can leave marks.
Strenuous exercise — sweat can cause streaks.
Tight clothing that may rub against your skin.
Touching your skin.

The longer you leave the guide colour on your skin, the deeper your final result will be.

Step 02

Your first shower

During your appointment, we will agree how long you should leave the guide colour on.

Keep your first shower as brief as possible, but continue rinsing until the water runs clear.
Use lukewarm water — hot water can interfere with the tan's development.

Rinsing off the spray tan guide colour with water only

Step 03

How to rinse off the guide colour

For your first shower, leave the shower gel, shampoo and sponge on the shelf.

Wash your body with water only.
Use your hands to rinse away the guide colour.

Is the colour washing away? That is the bronzer, not your tan. Your actual tan can continue developing for up to 24 hours after your appointment.

Step 04

The first 24 hours

Your tan needs extra care during the first 24 hours.

Do not apply body lotion immediately after your first shower.
Do not rub your skin with a towel — gently pat it dry.
For at least 24 hours after your spray tan, avoid saunas, swimming pools, massages and intense exercise.

Moisturising your skin 24 hours after a spray tan

Step 05

After 24 hours

To help your tan fade slowly and evenly:

Moisturising is essential — drink plenty of water and apply a light body lotion.
Avoid strong acids and retinol.
Take short showers.
Use gentle, pH-neutral body washes.

When your tan begins to fade, exfoliate to prepare your skin for your next spray tan, prevent patchiness and return to your natural skin tone.

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