How to Make Your Spray Tan Last Longer: 10 Expert Tips for a Longer-Lasting Glow
You leave your appointment looking bronzed, confident, and glowing. The last thing you want is for your spray tan to fade unevenly or disappear after just a few days.
The good news? A few simple habits can add days to your tan and keep it looking flawless from the beach to your next event.
1. Prep Your Skin Before Your Appointment
The best spray tan starts before you ever walk through the door.
Exfoliate thoroughly and shave the day before your appointment to remove dry skin and create a smooth canvas. Skip oily scrubs, lotions, and body oils, as they can create a barrier that prevents the solution from developing evenly. We love this mitt and razor:
Our 3-Way Exfoliating Mitt has 3 unique sides for 3 different exfoliating levels.
Ensures the cleanest smoothest skin so your NEW tan is streak free and perfect
Silicone hairs give light/med exfoliation and promote circulation/blood flow
Turn inside out and use the honeycomb silicone for med/hard exfoliation and deeper circulation of skin/blood flow
3 layer buffing side promotes the most exfoliation where loosened skin will be trapped by the layers
Antibacterial and Washable
Hanging Loop for drying
TO USE:
Use mitt 24 hours before sunless tanning session.
We recommend pairing with SPRAY STUDIO BLANK CANVAS to skin per direction or soak in BLANK CANVAS Tan Removing Bath Soak for 10-15 mins to loosen dead skin and tan.
Use mitt to exfoliate skin in a circular motion. Layers of skin, old tan and impurities will roll off the body onto your mitt. Rinse skin. Finish by washing skin and moisturizing very well. Glove is washable, bleach-able and reusable.
Not getting a spray tan? We recommend exfoiating once a week for younger fresher looking skin.
2. Wait Before Showering
Your tan needs time to develop.
Follow your technician's recommendations, but in general, avoid showering, sweating, swimming, or getting caught in the rain until your development time is complete. Rushing this step can significantly shorten the life of your tan.
3. Moisturize Every Single Day
Hydrated skin holds onto color longer.
Use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer morning and night to keep your skin healthy and prevent premature fading. Dry skin sheds faster, taking your tan with it.
Think of moisturizer as insurance for your glow. We recommend:
Did you know that shea butter not only has amazing healing properties for your skin and your sunless tan, but that it naturally protects you against ultraviolet rays?!
Seriously cool, huh?
This unbelievable blend made of the highest quality organic shea butter, argan oil, natural plant extracts and vitamins will have your skin GLOWING from head to toe! It's consistency is like pudding...not greasy at all...your body will drink it up!
The bonus of every day protection makes this body butter a must-have in your skin routine.
FRAGRANCE: Unscented
VEGAN | NO PARABENS | NO PETRO-BY-PRODUCTS | NO MINERAL OIL |NO PHTHALATES | NO PROPOYLENE GLYCOL | NO NASTIES!
4. Skip Oil-Based Products
Many body washes, lotions, and sunscreens contain oils that break down your spray tan.
Choose products labeled oil-free whenever possible, especially during the week after your appointment. We recommend:
Ditch your boring shower routine with Curie's new, innovative, Whipped Body Wash! The best product you've never heard of just got better: Whipped body wash made with 100% clean ingredients. Scoop this rich, velvety whipped soap right out of the jar and lather away! Prepare to be clean, moisturized and smelling delicious courtesy of Curie's signature scents. This multitasker also doubles as a super-smooth shaving cream. Note: take Curie's Whipped Body Wash on your next travel adventure. No liquid = TSA Approved! Our packaging is 100% recyclable. We're Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free. Net weight: 8 oz
Scent: Coconut Nectar
5. Take Cooler, Shorter Showers
Long, hot showers may feel amazing, but they're one of the fastest ways to fade a spray tan.
Keep showers quick and use lukewarm water. Pat yourself dry with a towel instead of rubbing.
6. Avoid Harsh Exfoliation
Save the loofahs, scrubs, exfoliating gloves, and retinol body products until your tan has naturally faded.
Aggressive exfoliation removes skin cells and your beautiful tan right along with them.
7. Be Gentle After the Gym
Exercise is perfectly fine after your tan has fully developed, but repeated sweating and friction from tight workout clothes can cause uneven fading.
Shower promptly afterward and moisturize to keep your skin balanced.
8. Stay Hydrated
Healthy skin starts from the inside.
Drinking plenty of water helps maintain skin hydration, which supports a more even, longer-lasting tan.
9. Plan Ahead for Vacations and Events
For weddings, vacations, graduations, and photos, schedule your spray tan 1–2 days before your event. This allows the color to fully develop and settle into its most natural-looking shade.
Your glow will look its absolute best when it matters most.
10. Keep Up a Regular Tanning Schedule
The easiest way to maintain a beautiful, natural-looking glow is consistency.
Many of our clients visit every 10–14 days to stay bronzed year-round without ever exposing their skin to harmful UV rays.
Instead of starting from scratch each time, maintaining your color often means smoother fades and even better results.
The Bottom Line
A professional spray tan is an investment in your confidence, and with the right care, you can enjoy that fresh-from-vacation glow for days longer.
At Après Soleil, we customize every tan to your skin tone and goals, then provide personalized aftercare recommendations so you get the longest-lasting results possible.
Ready to Book?
If you have an upcoming event and want a natural, flawless spray tan, we’d love to help.
Book your appointment at Après Soleil in Walnut Creek, and we’ll customize the perfect glow for you.