Spray Tan 101: Everything You Need to Know for a Flawless Glow
A spray tan is the ultimate confidence boost, perfect for special occasions or when your summer glow starts to fade. In just 20 minutes, you can look (and feel) like you just got back from a tropical getaway. We know spray tans can feel intimidating, especially with so many conflicting tips online, so we’ve created a simple step-by-step guide to help you get flawless, natural-looking results. And the best part? Our tans are all-natural and leave you bronzed, not orange.
Step by step guide:
Before Your Tan
Choose the Right Day and Time
Schedule your spray tan 24–48 hours before your event for the best glow.
Take a look at your schedule and pick a time when you can avoid sweating or exercising afterward, even backpacks and purses can leave unwanted tan lines!
Prep your skin
Start exfoliating and moisturizing daily a few days before your appointment.
Make sure your skin is clean, smooth, and free of any previous spray tan residue for the most even application.
The night before
Do these the night before your tan, the longer your skin has to settle, the better your tan will develop
Shower, Shave & Exfoliate
After showering, moisturize and hydrate your skin one last time.
Hydrate Inside & Out. Drink plenty of water! Hydrated skin holds onto color longer and looks more radiant.
Wash your hair and finish any shaving before your appointment — we recommend waiting at least 24 hours after your tan before doing either again.
The Day of
If you need to shower, stick to a quick rinse with minimal soap and no lotion.
Avoid lotions, deodorant, perfume, or makeup, as they can create barriers on the skin.
Remove all jewelry, trust us, necklaces and rings often get left behind!
Wear loose-fitting, dark clothing, ideally without tight straps or undergarments, right after your session.
After your tan
First Few Hours:
Avoid sweating, working out, or tight clothing until your rinse time.
For a classic tan, shower after 6–8 hours. For a rapid tan, rinse after 2–4 hours.
Use lukewarm water only and skip the soap — just a gentle rinse to remove the bronzer. When drying off, pat gently with a towel instead of rubbing.
24 Hours After
You can return to your normal routine, but keep in mind:
Pools, long baths, and heavy sweating can cause your tan to fade more quickly.
Keep your skin moisturized daily to extend your glow and maintain that sun-kissed look for as long as possible!
Which color should I choose?
When you come in for your tan, you’ll be asked whether you’d like a light, medium, or dark shade. All three look beautiful; it just depends on your skin tone and what the tan is for. During your quick consult, the Well Room team will guide you through everything you need to know and help you choose the shade that complements your skin best.
Regular spray tans develop over 6–8 hours, so no matter which color you choose, your rinse time will not change the final outcome unless you shorten the development time. Regular tans can even be left on overnight.
Rapid tans fully develop by 4 hours, and you will want to rinse this solution around that time. Rapid is perfect for anyone short on time. You’ll get the same gorgeous color with a shorter rinse time; no need to wait the full 6–8 hours. The rapid formula is one medium solution, and your final shade depends on how long you leave it on: about 2 hours for a light tan, 3–4 hours for medium, and 4–5 hours for a deep, dark glow.
Our Solution
Our tanning solution is naturally derived and vegan, PETA-certified, and completely fragrance, paraben, and erythrulose-free. Made from beets (yes, beets!), you’ll get a beautiful, natural-looking glow without any trace of orange. It’s also pregnancy and breastfeeding-safe, making it a gentle choice for every skin type.
Full Ingredient List:
Deionized Water, Dihydroxyacetone, Aloe Barbadensis, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-12, Glycerin, Cetyl Palmitate, Ethoxydiglycol, Sorbitol, Polysorbate-20, Walnut Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Caramel.
