After Tan Care

Woman in a swimsuit and large straw hat relaxing by a pool

You’ve got the glow—let’s help it last! Follow these tips to keep your tan looking smooth, even, and radiant.

⏳ Wait to Rinse

Let your tan develop 1–5 hours. Your artist will tell you the perfect rinse time based on your skin tone and desired depth.

🚿 First Shower = Just Water

For your first rinse, skip the soap. Use cool to lukewarm water and rinse with your hands until the water runs clear. No scrubbing, no products—just a quick, gentle rinse.

💧 Avoid Water & Sweat During Development

While your tan is developing, avoid rain, sweat, lotions, or anything that could cause streaks. If it’s a rainy day, wear long, loose clothing to protect your skin.

😴 Tanning Over Night?

While we recommend rinsing before bed, if you choose to sleep in your bronzer, wear dark, loose-fitting pajamas to avoid bronzer transferring onto sheets or consider buying a sleep sack.

🚫 No Lotions, Perfume, or Makeup (Yet!)

Skip moisturizers, creams, perfumes, deodorant, or makeup until after your first rinse—these can block the tan from developing evenly. Avoid applying moisturizing for at least 12 hours.

✋ Touched Your Skin by Accident?

If you accidentally touch your skin before rinsing, gently clean your hands or fingers with a damp cloth and a little soap—just avoid splashing or spreading water to other areas.

Sequential images of a young woman demonstrating the effects of different hair wash durations, labeled as rinse in, 1 hour, 2-3 hours, and 4+ hours, showing her smiling in each photo.

💦 Had a Water Mishap?

If water hits your skin during development, don’t panic. Lightly dab the area dry, then after your first rinse, you can blend the spot with a small amount of self-tanning lotion to even it out.

🧴 Product Watchlist

Avoid body washes, lotions, or sunscreens that contain:

  • Alcohol

  • Parabens

  • Sulfates

  • Mineral oil

  • Anti-Aging Products (Retin-A, Glycolic, AHA’s)

  • Anti-Acne Products (Salicylic Acid)

  • Any product in an Aerosol Can

Brands to avoid include Dove, Dial, Irish Spring, and Bath & Body Works. These can strip your tan early. Same goes for perfumes—keep them off freshly tanned skin.

🌿Products We Love

There are many spray tan safe brands that we recommend to extend your tan, including:

  • Vacation Sunscreen

  • Cetaphil

  • Cerave

  • Aveeno

  • Hempz

  • Shea Moisture

  • MineTan Gradual Tanners (ask us about our retail items!)

🧼 Face Care

Use a gentle cleanser on your face—no scrubs, exfoliants, or brushes for the first 24 hours. We recommend exfoliating weekly, after your tan begins to fade. Strong acne products can also fade your glow faster. Ask us about our bronzing face serum to extend your tan!

🪒 Shaving & Waxing

Skip waxing on tanned areas. If you shave, be gentle and only when needed.

💧 Moisturize Daily

Hydration is key! After 12 hours, apply a simple, nourishing moisturizer, like Cerave or Palmer’s Coconut Oil Lotion, every day to extend your glow and help it fade evenly. We can also recommend a gradual tanner to further extend your tan.

🛁 What to Avoid

Long soaks, hot tubs, saunas, heavy sweating, and chlorinated pools can all fade your tan faster. Quick showers are your best friend while your glow is fresh.

Remember our skin naturally sheds in about 5-10 days & so will your spray tan. Ask us about our tan eraser!

💛 What Next?

The best form of flattery? Referrals and reviews!

If you loved your glow, share the love—when your friends mention your name in their booking, they’ll get $10 off, and you’ll earn some serious good karma (and maybe a little surprise down the line).