Your results don’t just come from the appointment—they come from how you prep and care for your skin.
Follow these steps and your tan will develop better, last longer, and fade evenly.
Prep Like a Pro
Your skin is your canvas—the better the prep, the better the result. Dry skin = uneven, patchy fading. Product on the skin = barrier = poor development. Prep is what takes your tan from good → flawless.
24–48 Hours Before
- Exfoliate your entire body using a non-oil-based scrub or dry exfoliating mitt. (Pro Tip: grab The Smoothie exfolating dry brush. It's INCREDIBLE for prep!)
- Focus on dry areas like elbows, knees, ankles, hands, and wrists—these areas grab more color and need extra attention.
- If you wax, shave, or get any hair removal, do it at least 24–48 hours before your appointment to allow your skin to calm and pores to close.
- Skip the bar soaps and creamy body washes (yes, Dove—we’re looking at you). They leave a residue that blocks your tan and can cause streaking. Stick to a gel-based wash.
- Shower the night before, morning of or AT LEAST 8 hours before your appointment so your skin can reset. Short on time? Rinse with cool water only, skip all products, and dry exfoliate with a mitt.
The Day of your tan
- DO NOT SHAVE THE DAY OF YOUR TAN
- DO NOT SHOWER RIGHT BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Show up with completely clean skin—no lotion, oils, deodorant, perfume, or makeup. If it’s on your skin, it’s blocking your glow.
- Remove any old tan before your appointment. We’re not layering chaos.
- Wear loose, dark clothing and slide on shoes. No leggings, no tight fits. Bronzer can transfer, but it washes out.
- Tan in whatever you’re comfortable in—just know, if it’s on, it’s leaving a line.
After your tan
- Keep your tan dry while it develops—no water, no sweating, no chaos.
- Classic tans need 8 hours before rinsing. That means no showering, workouts, lotions, or makeup on the skin. And if you have pets… don’t let them lick you!
- Try not to touch your skin during development—this can stain your palms or mess with your color. Any bronzer lines? Leave them alone until your first rinse.
- When it’s time to rinse, don’t wing it. Rinse at your designated time or your color may develop too light or too dark.
- Your first rinse = lukewarm water only. No soap, no shaving, no hair washing. Rinse until the water runs clear. If you notice streaks after, hop back in and gently rinse them off with your hands.
After CARE:
- Skip loofahs and washcloths. Be mindful of products—ingredients like mineral oil, petroleum, alcohol, parabens, and sulfates will break down your tan faster and cause uneven fading.
- Hydration is everything. Moisturize daily with a tan-safe lotion (no mineral oil or heavy fragrance). Want to extend your glow? Use a gradual/tan-extending product with DHA after day 3.
- And yes—drink your water. It matters.
- Avoid long exposure to pools, ocean water, hot tubs, saunas, and long hot showers. If you’re living that life, just know your tan won’t last as long.
- SPF is your best friend. A spray tan does NOT protect you from the sun—so wear it. (We love Bask brand.)
Don’t Ruin Your Tan
- Skipping exfoliation
- Applying lotion before your appointment
- Sweating during development
- Not moisturizing after your first rinse
Keep Your Glow Going
The right products make all the difference.
Our tan-safe hydration and aftercare products are designed to extend your results, improve your fade, and keep your skin looking flawless.
what our client are saying
"Not only was Gina awesome with explaining things out to me and making me feel comfortable, but she did an incredible job at making it look natural Thanks girl for making me feel tan and pretty!"
Went for my first spray tan at Palms! It was amazing the owner made you feel very comfortable and even stayed after hours to spray tan me and my friends. I looked amazing for my sisters wedding. I got so many compliments on my tan 😊
"I am so happy and impressed with the way my spray tan turned out. Thank you, Gina!!"
Got my first spray tan last night and didn't know what to expect. The place is cozy and comfortable and Gina is super nice and makes the experience fun! Would recommend to anyone looking for a more relaxing experience!
"My friend was texting me about my tan. Says its the best she's ever seen. She lives in Troy but said that it would be worth the trip to come to you when she needs it. We actually received a lot of compliments so great job!!"