50% of a successful sunless tan is how well you prepare and care for your tan.  Whether you are preparing for a spray tan or a self tan, the skin preparation is the same.

How to prepare for a spray tan appointment or self tan session

Your skin must be free of any moisturiser, oils, deodorants, make-up or perfumes before being sprayed. These products act as a barrier, which will stop the tan absorbing and working correctly on your skin.

Any waxing or shaving should be done at least 24 hours prior to your appointment to ensure the pores of your skin are closed. Leave as long as possible between your shower and your tan so your skin has time to cool and dry after your shower.  

What to wear for your spray tan

Most people wear just a g-string to get the best tan possible, but this is a personal choice so wear what's comfortable for you. You may wear underwear, swimwear or not. Obviously the more clothing you wear, the less you’ll be tanned.  If you are doing an at home fake tan, go naked to avoid tan lines, but be careful not to tan your intimate areas.

How long does is a spray tan appointment take?

A spray tan only takes 5-10 minutes and with the drying system on our tanning machines you should be free to go out and enjoy the rest of your day within 15 minutes. However people have different levels of moisture in their skins so times will vary from person to person.

What to wear after your spray tan

We recommend you wear light loose fitting clothing as full development of your spray tan will take up to 2 hours and any undue friction from tight clothing may affect the final result. Custom Tan is washable, so any excess bronzer will wash out of your clothing.  We suggest you invest in a Spray Tanning Dress which is the perfect post tan garment. 

What to watch out for

Activities that cause you to perspire more than normal as this will reduce the effect of the tanning solution. During the development time you should not allow your skin to become wet. If your skin does get splashed dab dry, do not rub, then add a little bit of moisturiser to the affected area blending to an even colour.

It's also important to note that hormonal changes can affect the outcome of a tan.

After the processing time, you can now shower and remove the instant bronzer to reveal your beautiful new tan that has been developing underneath.

If you are planning a DIY self tan application, be sure to purchase our tanning mitt, it makes all the difference to a flawless application, and will give you thorough instructions on how to best apply your tan.  The best value is our tanning mitt duo which includes an exfoliating and applicator mitt. 

After Your Sunless Tan Application

How long do spray tans last and how long does spray tan last on the skin?  The answer has a number of variables.  

Because our solution has a high concentration of DHA, your tan will last longer than other tan solutions. With the right after tan care, your tan can last up to 10 days.



When bathing it’s critical that you use a Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) free wash. SLS has a drying affect on your skin, and will reduce the life of your tan. We recommend you always wash using the Custom Tan Goat’s Milk & Honey soap to protect your tan. After each shower apply the Custom Tan Moisturiser to lock moisture into your skin,alternatively top up with our Instant Bronzer Mousse which is made with the same ingredient as our spray tan solution.  This will keep your tan looking fresh and maximise the life of your tan.

Is spray tanning / self tanning safe?

Dermatologists will enthusiastically agree that tanning with a DHA formula is much safer than baking for prolonged hours in the sun.

Is spray tanning safe while pregnant?

There are no tests showing that spray tanning or self tanning during pregnancy is harmful. DHA is made from sugar cane and in the forty years of its use has no known problems.  Plus our tanning ingredient is eco-certified organic from France.  It’s the world’s first tanning antioxidant and scientifically proven to out perform competitor products.

Can I breastfeed and get a spray tan?

Even though the tanning solution is made from natural products we suggest when breastfeeding that you leave your bra on or use nipple shields when having a spray tan or applying self tan.

What about swimming?

The use of hot baths, spas and chlorinated pools will reduce the life of your tan.

Will my tan wash off?

No, whether you have a fake tan or a spray tan your tan will not wash off it will fade just like a natural tan. It is essential to understand that if you use soaps containing SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulphate), spas or swim in pools the life of your tan may be affected. We have our own SLS free soap available for purchase with your tan. With all natural ingredients, it truly helps extend the life of your tan.

Important Note

Although the solution will give you a perfect, natural looking tan it does not offer protection from the sun's harmful rays. You should still use protection. With so many repeat customers - we know you'll love your tan!