Your Spray Tan Questions, Answered
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If you have sensitive skin or a history of allergies, please let us know before your appointment. Most clients tolerate our professional tanning solutions very well, but we’re happy to discuss your concerns and help determine the best option for you.
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Spray tanning is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but we always recommend checking with your healthcare provider beforehand.
As with many cosmetic services, if this is your first spray tan, we recommend waiting until after your first trimester.
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With proper preparation and aftercare, your custom spray tan will typically last 5–7 days.
Want even longer-lasting results? Pair your tan with one of our recommended tan-extending moisturizers, and you may enjoy your glow for up to 10–14 days.
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For the best color development, we recommend scheduling your appointment 48 hours before your event, photos, wedding, or departure for vacation.
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To extend the life of your tan, use:
Sulfate-free body wash
Alcohol-free moisturizer
Alcohol-free sunscreen
Gentle, non-exfoliating skincare products
Avoid scrubs, exfoliating gloves, body washes with exfoliating beads, and products containing alcohol or heavy oils, as these can cause your tan to fade more quickly.
If you’re unsure whether a product is spray tan-safe, bring it with you—your tanning artist will be happy to help!
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Your artist will recommend your first warm water rinse (without soap) approximately 2–5 hours after your appointment, depending on your customized solution. This removes the cosmetic bronzer while allowing your tan to finish developing.
Wait 24 hours before taking a full shower with soap, shampoo, and conditioner.
When possible, we also recommend waiting 48 hours before shaving to maximize your tan’s longevity.
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We recommend waiting about 10 days between professional spray tans to allow your previous tan to fade completely.
Using a gentle body scrub and enzyme cleanser can help prepare your skin for your next flawless application.
Pro Tip: If you love having a year-round glow, ask about our Sunless Tanning Membership, which includes three custom spray tans each month.
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Never!
Every Clarity spray tan is completely customized based on your natural skin tone, undertones, and desired depth of color.
Orange results typically happen when the wrong solution is selected or the tan is left on too long. Our certified artists are professionally trained to prevent both.
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With proper preparation and aftercare, your tan should fade gradually and evenly.
Daily moisturizing and avoiding harsh exfoliants will help maintain a beautiful, natural fade.
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No.
A spray tan provides no protection from UV rays, so it’s still important to wear sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors.
The good news? You can still naturally tan while wearing a spray tan, although we always encourage protecting your skin from sun damage.
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For your best results:
Exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment.
Shave approximately 24 hours beforehand.
Wax at least 48 hours beforehand.
Shower before your appointment using a sulfate-free body wash.
Arrive with completely clean skin—no lotion, oils, deodorant, perfume, makeup, or body sprays.
If you’re unable to shower immediately before your appointment, we do provide gentle, paraben-free cleansing wipes. While they’re helpful in a pinch, arriving freshly showered will always produce the best results.
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Yes!
Wax at least 48 hours before your appointment.
Shave approximately 24 hours beforehand.
This allows your skin to calm and your pores to close before your spray tan.
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For the best results, arrive with completely clean skin free of:
Deodorant
Lotion
Oils
Perfume
Makeup
Body sprays
After your first full shower (24 hours after your appointment), you may resume using these products. Keep in mind that products containing alcohol or heavy oils may shorten the life of your tan.
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Wear loose-fitting, dark-colored clothing and, if possible, open-toe shoes.
You may wear whatever makes you most comfortable during your appointment, including:
Disposable undergarments (provided by us)
Your own swimsuit
Undergarments
Nothing at all
Your comfort and privacy are always our priority.
Keep in mind that anything worn during your appointment will create a tan line, so this is especially important to consider before weddings or special events.
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We schedule 30 minutes for each appointment to allow time for consultation, preparation, and drying.
The actual spray tanning application takes approximately 10 minutes.
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Absolutely!
Every custom spray tan is selected based on:
Your natural skin tone
Your undertones
How your skin naturally tans
Your desired level of color
Whether you’re looking for a subtle glow or a deep vacation bronze, we’ll customize the perfect shade for you.
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Our custom solutions are rapid-developing formulas and are not designed to be slept in.
You’ll rinse according to your artist’s instructions, usually within 2–5 hours, to prevent overdevelopment.
After your initial rinse, you’re free to sleep normally before taking your first full shower the following day.
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Avoid water until your scheduled rinse.
If you accidentally get a small area wet, gently blot it dry with a towel—don’t rub.
You may carefully wash your palms if necessary, but try to avoid getting the rest of your body wet before your rinse.
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Yes.
Pools, hot tubs, lakes, and especially salt water can cause your spray tan to fade more quickly.
Moisturizing before and after swimming can help extend the life of your tan.
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While a spray tan won’t completely hide stretch marks or scars, it can often soften their appearance by reducing contrast with the surrounding skin, creating a smoother overall look.
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Yes—we can often soften and blend existing tan lines.
Because naturally tanned skin contains more pigment than untanned skin, they may still be slightly visible, but a custom spray tan can make them much less noticeable.
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Please wait until your sunburn has completely healed and all peeling has finished before scheduling your appointment.
Applying a spray tan over peeling skin will almost always result in an uneven, patchy finish.
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Absolutely!
We highly recommend scheduling a trial spray tan before your wedding or another important event. This allows us to perfect your ideal depth of color and undertone so you feel completely confident on your big day.
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Not at all!
At Clarity, we offer a variety of professional tanning solutions with different depths of color and undertones.
Whether you’re looking for a subtle sun-kissed glow, a rich tropical bronze, or a specific warm, cool, or olive undertone, we’ll customize your tan specifically for your skin and your goals.

