SPRAY TAN PREP & AFTERCARE

The key to a flawless, long-lasting glow? It starts before you even step into the studio.

To get the most out of your Schulz Beauty spray tan, proper prep and aftercare are everything.

Follow these easy steps to ensure your tan develops evenly, lasts longer, and fades beautifully.

BEFORE YOUR TAN

MANI, PEDI + WAXING, MASSAGE

Have your nails & waxing/shaving, facials and massage done the day before your spray tan. If done on the same day, you should wash off any oils before the tan application.

EXFOLIATE

Exfoliating is crucial for spray tan prep and to ensure a long-lasting tan. This is the most important step! Use an exfoliating mitt and pay special attention to rough areas such as elbows, knees and heels. Avoid using an exfoliating scrub or any products with glycolic/lactic/salicylic acids a few days prior to your tan. Removing dead skin cells will allow your tan to last longer as well as fade evenly.

AVOID MOISTURIZER, OILS + SCENTS

After your pre-tan exfoliating shower (ideally 12-24 hours before your appointment), do not apply any moisturizers, oils or perfumes to your skin. These products can act as a barrier to your tan developing. It’s ideal to apply the tan to dry, clean, exfoliated skin.

LOOSE, DARK CLOTHING

Wear loose-fitting, dark clothing to your tanning appointment. Tight clothing can rub against the tan and remove color on some areas.

Avoid wearing light colours, jeans, leggings, bras, tight socks and clothing with zippers to your appointment.

HYDRATION

Moisturize the skin days prior the session (remember: not the day of the appointment), hydration via water is also important. Hydrated skin = a longer lasting tan.

SHOWERING

If you really need to take a shower before the appointment, take it a min. of 4 hours before the spray tan (to restore the pH balance of your skin before the spray tan).

PLAN A NIGHT IN

After your spray tan, plan to head home and have a day/night in while your tan develops. Our 24 Karat tan requires at least 8-12 hours to develop before rinsing, and the Glow on the Go formula requires 2-6 hours.

AVOID SWEATING + WORKING OUT

While your tan is developing, avoid any activities that could cause sweating or water exposure. If it’s raining, wear loose, full-coverage clothing to keep your skin dry and your tan protected.

DEVELOPMENT PERIOD

If you’ll be sleeping while your tan is developing, we recommend wearing long sleeves and pants to protect your skin while it develops. Be careful of skin to skin contact while you’re developing your tan and before your rinse. If you accidentally touch your skin, gently wipe your fingers or inner hands with a damp cloth—just be careful not to wet other areas to avoid streaking.

RINSE

Your First Shower:

Rinse with warm water only, no soap the first shower. Using soap too soon can interfere with the development of your tan. You’ll notice the cosmetic bronzer rinsing off; this is normal. Use your hands to ensure all the bronzer is off (not an exfoliating loofah). Rinse until the water runs clear, and then gently pat your skin dry with your towel.

Ongoing Care:

To extend the life of your tan, take quick showers (not super hot) and avoid taking baths. Always pat your skin dry instead of rubbing and skip exfoliation until your tan is ready to be exfoliated off. When the tan starts to fade you can begin to exfoliate the skin in order to remove the old tan residue or to even anything out. For ex) if you work out a lot and are sweating a lot in certain areas, these areas that you sweat may fade quicker than other areas so you can mildly exfoliate to even these areas out if needed.

Stick to clean, natural body washes free of mineral oils, sulfates, and parabens (i.e. Dove, Olay), which can strip your tan.

AVOID CHLORINE, EXFOLIANTS + LONG, HOT SHOWERS

While you have a spray tan, avoid chlorinated pools, hot tubs, and long, steamy showers. The chemicals and hot water will dry out and strip the colour from your skin very quickly.

Avoid massages and any exfoliants while you have a spray tan (unless it’s the end of the tan’s life and time to exfoliate).

SKINCARE

Avoid using face serums with exfoliating ingredients like retinol, AHA/BHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid. These can cause your tan to fade unevenly or appear patchy on the face. Use gentle/hydrating facial cleansers only.

PERFUMES

Avoid applying perfume directly to the skin. The alcohol in most fragrances can cause premature fading of your spray tan.

MOISTURIZE (THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP!)

After your first rinse, moisturize your damp skin as soon as you get out of the shower to lock in the moisture. Keep your skin well moisturized throughout the week to extend the life of your tan and ensure an even colour as it fades. Avoid moisturizers with mineral oil, petroleum, parabens, and that are oil-based. Choose natural, gentle, glycerin or aloe-based moisturizers.

Keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water - this is key in maintaining the pH balance of your skin!

A Note on Sunburns & Peeling Skin:

Spray tanning over peeling or sunburned skin is not recommended. As the skin continues to shed, the tan will develop unevenly, resulting in a patchy or scaly appearance that can make the skin look worse rather than better. It’s best to wait until the skin has fully healed for the most flawless result.

We have spray tan maintenance products available in-studio to help extend the life of your glow.

We carry spray tan–friendly aftercare products in studio and are happy to recommend the best options to help extend the life of your glow and keep your tan looking flawless. Shop some of our options here.