How To prepare for the perfect spray tan

31 Mar

A professional spray tan is one of the easiest ways to achieve a beautiful, sun-kissed glow. Whether you’re preparing for a special event, holiday, or simply want to boost your confidence, proper preparation is the key to getting the best results.

At Holly Garvey Your Beauty Destination, we always recommend a few simple steps before your appointment to ensure your spray tan develops evenly and lasts as long as possible.

Here’s how to prepare for the perfect spray tan.

1. Remove Old Tan Before Your Appointment

For the most flawless result, your skin should be free from any previous self-tan or spray tan.

If you still have leftover tan on your skin, we recommend using a tan remover before your appointment. Our salon carries the Spray Aus Tan Reverser ($32), which gently removes old tan while preparing your skin for a fresh application.

Starting with clean skin helps ensure your new tan develops evenly and beautifully.

2. Exfoliate for Smooth Skin

Exfoliating the day before your spray tan appointment is one of the most important preparation steps.

Removing dead skin cells helps the spray tan solution absorb evenly into your skin, preventing patchiness and streaks.

Focus on areas that tend to be drier, such as:

Elbows
Knees
Ankles
Heels
Hands

This will help create a smooth canvas for your spray tan.

3. Schedule Hair Removal in Advance

If you plan to shave or wax, it’s best to do this before your spray tan appointment.

For best results:

Shave at least 24 hours before your appointment
Wax at least 48 hours before your appointment

This allows your skin time to settle and helps prevent irritation or uneven colour.

4. Arrive With Clean Skin

On the day of your spray tan, your skin should be clean and free of any products.

Avoid applying:

Moisturisers
Deodorant
Perfume
Makeup

These products can create a barrier on the skin and may affect how the spray tan develops.

5. Wear Loose, Dark Clothing

After your spray tan appointment, your tan will need time to develop.

Wearing loose, dark clothing helps avoid rubbing the tan while it develops and prevents transfer onto lighter fabrics. Our favourite - the Spray Aus Boyfriend Tee ($49) which is sold in store or online.

Comfortable clothing also allows your tan to develop evenly.

6. Maintain Your Tan for Longer Results

After your spray tan has developed and you’ve had your first rinse, keeping your skin hydrated is essential.

Using a moisturiser designed for spray tans can help extend the life of your colour.

At Holly Garvey, we recommend the Spray Aus Tan Extender ($36), which helps keep your skin hydrated and maintains your professional spray tan for longer.

Regular moisturising can help your tan fade more evenly while keeping your skin smooth and radiant.