What To Do Before A Spray Tan, According To Celebrity Tanning Experts

Knowing what to do before a spray tan can make all the difference to the final result. A spray tan is one of the easiest ways to achieve a sun-kissed glow without exposing your skin to UV damage, but there’s more to consider than simply turning up to your appointment.

From when to shave and exfoliate to what products you should avoid on the day itself, preparation plays a very important role in how evenly your tan develops – and how long it lasts. As Nicola Matthews, founder of Sienna X, explains: “the secret to a beautiful, natural-looking spray tan isn’t just the application itself, it’s how you prepare your skin beforehand and care for it afterwards.”

To help you get the most from your appointment, we asked some of the UK’s leading tanning experts to share their top tips.

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What to do before a spray tan

A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to spray tans. These are the expert-approved steps worth following before your appointment.

Exfoliate the day before your appointment

If there’s one pre-tan rule worth following, it’s exfoliating beforehand. The trick, however, is not to leave it until the last minute. “Exfoliating immediately before a spray tan is not necessarily bad, but self-tans love skin with a little bit of natural moisture and a neutral PH level so that the tan can develop to its fullest,” says Michaella Bolder, celebrity tanner and facialist, who recommends exfoliating the night before your appointment (or at least eight hours beforehand). “Plus, if the skin is too smooth you may see the spray tan run slightly on the body.”

Our advice? Use an oil-free body scrub such as Bondi Sands Coconut and Sea Salt Body Scrub, especially if you still have traces of old self-tan.

Shave at least 24 hours before

Timing your hair removal correctly is another often overlooked step. While it may seem logical to shave just before your appointment, experts recommend leaving a little time between the two. “Plan hair removal in advance and time your tan accordingly, around 24 hours after shaving or two days after waxing,” says James Harknett, who is known for his bespoke airbrush tanning technique and whose clients include Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Pause retinoids and exfoliating acids

If your skincare routine includes active ingredients like retinol or salicylic acid, it may be worth pressing pause in the days leading up to your appointment. “Self-tan works by reacting with amino acids in the outermost layer of the skin, and anything that accelerates skin cell turnover or exfoliates the surface can affect how the colour develops or how long it lasts,” says James. “So I would recommend stopping the use of any retinoids, AHAs like glycolic acid, BHAs and any form of liquid exfoliators.”