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How to Prepare and Maintain Your Spray Tan This Holiday Season

Alyssa B.
Dec 9, 2017
2 min read

December is here and your weekends will be full of holiday gatherings and parties for the rest of the year. Keep your best accessory, your spray tan, looking flawless for the holiday season by practicing these spray tan maintenance musts.

Preparation

The first step in maintaining your gorgeous glow happens before you spray tan. If you do not moisturize regularly, be sure to moisturize your skin using a natural lotion free of alcohol, perfumes, and mineral oil. If you plan on getting a wax or mani/pedi, make sure your spray tan appointment is at least 24 hours after those appointments. Don’t fret, our custom spray tan won’t affect your new mani/pedi. We also provide barrier cream if you choose to cover your nails.

Lastly, be sure to exfoliate 24 hours prior to your spray tan, but not the day of. Exfoliating removes dead skin and allows for an even, longer lasting tan. We like Norvell’s Renewing Sunless Exfoliator.

Immediately After Your Spray Tan

Wear loose clothing after your spray tan to avoid any rubbing or friction. Plan your day so that you avoid activities in which you get wet or sweat. For a normal solution, wait a minimum of 8 hours until your first shower, ideally around 20-24 hours. Your tan will continue to darken for up to 24 hours or until you shower. When ready to take your first shower, rinse only and use minimal soap if needed. Rapid solutions develop up to 3 hours, ask your Sun Cheaters spray tan technician for specific directions.

After Your Spray Tan

Your spray tan will fade as you’re your skin sheds dead skin, but if maintained properly, your spray tan should last at least 5-7 days. Frequent shaving will increase fading and scrubs or exfoliants should be avoided until 9-10 days after your spray tan. When showering, it is important to use a gentle body wash that is free of sulfates. We like Norvell’s pH Balancing Shower Cleanser. The sulfate-free formula is gentle on your spray tan and balances your skin’s pH to help your tan fade evenly.

To ensure your tan stays fabulous, proper maintenance is key. Using a moisturizer 1-2 times per day is essential in order to maintain your tan and promote even fading. Avoid lotions with perfumes, sulfates, mineral oil, or other drying ingredients. We like Norvell’s Skin Renewing Body Butter and Prolong Sunless Color Extender. Prolong is specially designed to renew the color that fades each day. This gradual tanner can be used to extend the life of your spray tan or gradually build color in between spray tans.

Want the perfect kit to keep your spray tan fresh? Ask us about Norvell’s Self Tanning Maintenance Kit, containing everything you need to maintain the perfect tan, including a touch up spray!