Booking your first spray tan? You’ve probably got a running list of questions in your head. What should you wear? Should you shave first? Is deodorant okay? Totally normal — and the good news is, prepping for a spray tan is a lot simpler than people expect.
Here at Collab Medspa, we like to say a great spray tan actually starts before you ever walk through our door. The little things you do beforehand — shaving, moisturizing, even what you wear to your appointment — end up making the biggest difference in how even your color turns out and how long it sticks around.
So let’s get you ready. Here’s everything worth knowing before you come in.
Prep Work Is Where the Magic Happens
If we could give every client just one piece of advice, it’d be this: don’t skip the prep.
A spray tan sits on the outer layer of your skin, which means the smoother and healthier that skin is, the more evenly the solution takes. Good prep doesn’t just make your tan look better on day one — it helps it hold up longer, too.
We get it — you want your tan looking perfect, whether it’s for a wedding, a beach vacation, or just because. Spending a little extra time getting ready for your appointment genuinely pays off.
Should I Shave Before My Spray Tan?
Yes — and do it beforehand, not after.
Shaving after your tan will actually strip some of the color, since the razor gently exfoliates your skin along with the hair. So get your shaving done ahead of time, and you’ll walk in with smooth, ready-to-tan skin.
What About Waxing?
Same idea — get it done first.
Waxing lifts away hair and dead skin cells together, and both of those can take your tan down with them if you wax afterward. Schedule your wax before your appointment, and your color will develop evenly and last much longer.
Do You Get Laser Hair Removal or IPL Treatments?
If so, this one’s important — let’s talk timing.
Laser hair removal and IPL both work by targeting melanin, the pigment in your skin and hair. A spray tan adds pigment to the outer layer of your skin, which means the laser can have a harder time telling the difference between your hair and your tan. That confusion is exactly what leads to burns, and it’s something we want to help you avoid entirely.
The safest approach is simple: get your laser or IPL session done first, let your skin fully heal, and then book your spray tan. Freshly lasered skin is more sensitive anyway, so giving it time to calm down before adding a tan on top is good for your skin either way. Otherwise, you will need to wait on your laser until your spray tan has completely faded.
If you get laser hair removal or IPL somewhere other than Collab Medspa, just let us know when you book your spray tan appointment. We’ll make sure your treatments are spaced out properly so you get a great tan without putting your skin at risk.
Do I Need to Exfoliate?
This one’s non-negotiable, honestly.
Exfoliating clears away dry, flaky skin and gives the solution a smooth, even surface to work with. Skip it, and those dry patches soak up more color than the skin around them — which is usually what causes those darker, uneven spots people complain about.
Our advice: exfoliate the day before your appointment, then follow up with a good moisturizer that same night.
Should I Moisturize Beforehand?
Yes — just don’t overdo it right before you come in.
A lot of people assume their skin needs to be bone-dry for a spray tan to work. Not true. We actually want your skin hydrated and healthy, not flaky.
Moisturize well the night before your appointment. On the day itself, keep it light — just a thin layer in the morning if your skin runs dry. Healthy, hydrated skin sheds dead cells more slowly, which means your color stays put longer.
We’ll also do our part when you come in — dabbing a little moisturizer on spots like your knees, elbows, and hands so those areas don’t soak up too much color and turn darker than the rest of you.
Can I Wear Deodorant, Makeup, or Perfume?
For the most part, sure — with a couple small tweaks.
Got deodorant on? No problem, we’ll just wipe it off with a baby wipe before we start, since some formulas can react with the solution and mess with the color. Wearing makeup and want your face sprayed too? We’ll remove that first as well.
Oils are the one real exception. A layer of body oil creates a barrier that keeps the solution from developing properly, so if you’ve applied any, we may ask to reschedule rather than give you a tan that won’t hold up.
Perfume’s usually fine, unless it’s a roll-on — those can leave the same kind of residue as deodorant.
What Should I Wear?
Loose and comfortable, always.
Think oversized tees, loose shorts or dresses, and sandals or flip-flops. Steer clear of leggings, sports bras, tight jeans, socks, or sneakers if you can help it while your tan is developing.
Now, don’t stress too much — spray tan formulas have come a long way. People used to worry that one wrong outfit would ruin the whole thing, but today’s solutions grip the skin much better and rinse out of fabric with no trouble.
We still remember one client who showed up straight from the office in a fitted dress and heels. There was no way we were sending her home like that with a fresh tan, so she left in one of our spa robes instead — she was a good sport about it, and honestly, it’s one of our favorite stories to tell. If someone shows up in an outfit that just won’t protect a fresh tan, we’d rather push the appointment than send them home unhappy with the results.
Manicure or Pedicure First?
Yes, get those in before your spray tan, not after.
Same goes for waxing, shaving, and exfoliating — knock all of it out ahead of time. Doing these afterward can strip color right off your skin, so getting them done first keeps your tan even and helps it last.
I Have Sensitive Skin — Can I Still Get a Spray Tan?
Most likely, yes.
If you deal with allergies, especially sensitive skin, or you’ve reacted to skincare products in the past, just give us a heads-up before your appointment. We may suggest doing a test spot ahead of time to avoid potential rash or discomfort. We’ll talk through your concerns together and figure out the right approach for you. Your comfort always comes first with us.
Give Your Tan Time to Set
Here’s something first-timers often forget to plan around: your schedule after the appointment.
Block off 6 to 8 hours of downtime once you leave. During that window, skip the shower, the pool, workouts, or anything that’ll make you sweat — all of that can rub the solution off before it’s fully developed.
Prep gets all the attention, but giving your tan time to set is just as important.
Got a Wedding or Big Event Coming Up?
If this tan is for your wedding day, a vacation, or photos you can’t redo, do yourself a favor and book a trial spray tan first.
A trial lets you walk through the whole process, see exactly how deep a color you like, and learn how your skin holds onto it over time. Everyone’s skin behaves a little differently, so a trial run takes the guesswork out of your final appointment before the big day. We promise, it’s worth it!
You’re Glowing, Girl! (or Boy!)
A great spray tan isn’t just about the time you spend in the room — it’s everything you do before and after.
Shave, exfoliate, moisturize the right way, wear something loose, and carve out enough time afterward for your color to fully develop. Do those few things, and you’ll walk away with a smoother, more even tan that actually lasts.
At Collab Medspa, our goal is simple: every spray tan should look natural, beautiful, and like you. Whether this is your very first tan or your fiftieth, we’re here to answer every question and help you feel confident walking in and walking out.
