Spray Tan Aftercare

How to make your spray tan last longer, fade evenly and stay gorgeous

Your gorgeous spray tan has only just begun to work when you leave us.

What you do over the next few hours — and over the next week — makes a surprisingly big difference to how your tan develops, how long it lasts and how evenly it fades.

So here's everything you need to know.

First: how does a spray tan actually work?

To get the best out of your spray tan, it helps to understand what you're actually putting on your skin.

Spray tan isn't paint sitting on top of your skin.  It's 2 parts:

1.  an initial surface dye that washes off when you shower, this is 'colour guide' for the tanner to see where she's applying it

2.  The active tanning ingredient, DHA, reacts with components in the upper layers of your skin to create that gorgeous bronzed colour.  This is the 'real tan' that develops.  

So keeping your tan looking good is largely about looking after those upper layers of skin.

The more gently you treat your skin, the longer your tan can stay looking beautiful.

Here's exactly what we recommend.

When can I shower after my spray tan?

This depends on which tan you've had.

8 Hour Developer

Wait at least 8 hours before showering.

It's completely fine to leave it on longer, and most people prefer to sleep in it overnight.

2 Hour Developer

You can shower after 2 hours, but your first shower needs to be a very light rinse rather than a full shower, and don't use any soap.  

Your first shower after your spray tan

This shower is just about removing the excess colour guide.

Keep it short and gentle.

Do:

• Use warm — not hot — water.
• Don't use soap or shower gel.
• Shower for around 60 seconds, just long enough to rinse.
• Rinse your legs first.

That last one sounds strangely specific, but it matters!

If a droplet of coloured water runs down your leg and sits there before you rinse it away, you can potentially create a little line in your developing tan.

Don't:

• Scrub.
• Rub your skin.
• Use a loofah.
• Apply body wash.
• Apply moisturiser, gel or oil immediately afterwards.

And don't get a fright when you see all that colour running down the drain!

That's the colour guide coming off.

The actual developing tan is not simply that brown colour sitting on top of your skin.

Pat yourself dry with a soft, fluffy towel rather than rubbing.

Your second shower

This will probably be the following day.

This is when we want you to start treating your tan a little differently.

Use Pure Fiji Shower Gel

Available in spa and oh-so-worth it.  
This is one of our favourite spray-tan products — and there's a story behind that.

For years, we didn't sell a post-tan wash.

We thought it was nonsense.

Then we started using Pure Fiji by coincidence, and we noticed all our staff didn't have any cracking in their tans... they were staying on longer, coming off more evenly and not going patchy.  

We now know why our clients love it.

Why do we recommend the Pure Fiji Shower gel?  

The colour created by a spray tan is influenced by the chemistry of your skin, including its pH.

As your tan develops and your skin naturally changes, the colour can shift from that gorgeous true brown towards a more golden tone.

The Pure Fiji is a pH-balancing wash is designed to help maintain the skin environment around your tan while also being gentle on the skin.

It's also formulated without SLS, which can be drying for some people's skin.

And dry skin is not what we want when you're trying to keep a spray tan looking smooth and even.

Our goal is soft, hydrated skin with an even bronze colour for as long as possible.

After your shower: moisturise

This is really important.

Once your tan has developed, hydration is your friend.

You have two options.

O Cosmedics Gradual Tanning Body Butter

Apply all over your body, then wash your hands.

It's hyaluronic acid based, full of niacinimide b vitamins, with a small amount of colour, so it helps extend the appearance of your tan while adding a subtle glow.

It's particularly lovely if you want to keep your colour looking fresh between tans.

Pure Fiji Hydrating Body Lotion 

If you don't want additional colour, use the Hydrating Body Lotion instead.

It's organic, vegan, smells dreamy like the Pacific Islands, and will keep the tan flexible so it doesn't crack as your skin dries - because your skin won't dry.   This is our most popular option.  

Moisturised skin = a happier-looking tan.

What should I avoid while I'm wearing my spray tan?

Water

The more time your skin spends soaking in water, the more quickly your tan can wear away.

So enjoy your shower, but don't spend half an hour sitting in it!

Swimming, long baths and repeated soaking can all shorten the life of your tan.

Rubbing

Friction removes skin cells — and your tan is attached to those upper layers of skin.

So avoid things like:

• tight clothing
• aggressive towel drying
• rubbing your skin
• anything else that creates unnecessary friction

Sweating

Sweating can make a tan wear away more quickly, particularly in areas where there is lots of friction.

Shoes can be a particular problem for your feet.

If you can, wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe and don't rub.

Exfoliation

Don't use:

• body scrubs
• loofahs
• dry body brushes
• exfoliating gloves

until you're ready to remove the tan.

They're fantastic when you're preparing for your next tan.

They're not your friend when you're trying to keep your current one!

How to remove your old spray tan

After about a week — or whenever you're ready to start again — it's time to remove the old tan.

Use the Self by O Exfoliating Mitt $15

This helps remove the remaining tan and prepare the skin for your next application.  Use it to buff the skin gently, in small circles, either dry or in the shower.  It works both ways.  

Then apply your moisturiser again.  

Saturate your skin with moisture and get it beautifully prepared for your next spray tan.

Worried your spray tan isn't going well?

Don't try to fix it yourself.

Seriously.

Don't start scrubbing one leg.

Don't put random products on it.

Don't decide you need another shower.

And definitely don't panic.

Take a photo and email it to us within 24 hours guestcare@natashas.com.au

We'll call you back and tell you what we recommend doing.

We're at your service.

How to prepare for your next spray tan

The best spray tan actually starts before you arrive.

Preparation is one of the biggest factors in getting a smooth, even result.

1. Exfoliate your entire body

We recommend:

Pure Fiji Coconut Crush Scrub or Pure Fiji Sugar Rub

The Sugar Rub is the best body scrub we've ever found.  If you have more sensitive skin, or you want something a little more affordable, the Crush Scrub is a creamy, more gentle option that is also very effective.  

Do your normal showering first, but don't shave at the same time.

Turn the water off or step away from the stream while you exfoliate.

Work the scrub thoroughly into your skin, paying particular attention to:

• knees
• elbows
• inner thighs
• bikini line
• underarms

These areas tend to catch more colour when the skin is dry.

And there's another clever thing about the sugar scrub: 

Once the sugar dissolves, the melted product continues to work on the skin, giving you another level of exfoliation.

2. Shave the day before

Don't shave immediately before your spray tan.

Shaving can exfoliate the skin and can leave the surface more vulnerable to an uneven result.

The day before is ideal.

3. Arrive with completely clean skin

On the day of your spray tan:

No moisturiser.

You want your skin clean and free from products that could interfere with the application.

4. Don't wear deodorant

Skip deodorant on the day of your spray tan.

Some deodorants and other products can interfere with the development of your tan and may cause unwanted colour changes.

And nobody wants green armpits.

5. Wash your hair beforehand

Do your hair washing before your tan.

It's much easier than trying to wash your hair afterwards without getting water all over your newly applied tan.

6. Exfoliate your face beforehand

If you're someone who likes to exfoliate your face or use a face mask, do it before your spray tan.

This is your last chance to do your usual exfoliating routine without removing your new tan!

What should I wear home from my spray tan?

Keep everything loose and easy.

We recommend:

• loose, dark clothing
• clothing that slips on and off easily
• slip-on shoes
• no socks if possible
• ideally, no bra

The less rubbing and pressure on your freshly applied tan, the better.

Our biggest spray-tan tip

Your spray tan isn't finished when you leave the salon.

That's when the process is just getting started.

If you:

✓ wait the correct amount of time before showering
✓ keep your first shower short and gentle
✓ avoid rubbing and excessive water
✓ moisturise regularly
✓ use the right tan-maintenance products
✓ exfoliate properly before your next appointment

…you'll get a much better chance of a smooth, even, longer-lasting tan.

And if you're ever unsure?

Ask us.

We'd much rather you send us a photo and let us help than try to fix it yourself.

Your tan is our work too — so we want you to love it.

Spray Tan Aftercare at Natasha's Skin Spa, Southbank Melbourne

We don't just spray the tan and send you home.

We want you to understand how to look after it, because that's what gives you the best possible result.

We stock the professional Self by O Cosmedics products we recommend, including:

• Self by O Cosmedics Nourishing Tan Extender, Tanning oil, Face tan water, exfoliating mitt, and more
• Pure Fiji Hydrating Body Lotions, Hydrating Dilo Gels, Scrubs and more

Everything we recommend is because we believe it will help you get more from your spray tan.

**Beautiful colour is one thing.

Beautiful colour that lasts and fades evenly is even better.**

Ready for your next spray tan?

Book your spray tan at Natasha's Skin Spa in Southbank Melbourne and we'll take care of the rest.