How to Prep for a Spray Tan (or Self-Tanner): The 48-Hour Exfoliate, Shave and Skip-List

📅 November 12, 2026⏱ 7 minBy The Becky Team

★ TL;DR

Exfoliate and shave about 24 hours before a spray tan, and wax 48 hours before. Arrive with clean, dry skin: no lotion, oil, deodorant, perfume or makeup. Wear loose, dark clothes. Afterward, rinse when your technician says, moisturize daily and still wear sunscreen.

To prep for a spray tan, exfoliate and shave (or wax) at least 24 hours before your appointment, then show up with clean, completely dry skin: no lotion, body oil, deodorant, perfume or makeup. Wear loose, dark clothes and sandals, and follow your technician's instructions on when to rinse afterward. Self-tanner prep works the same way, except you control the timing.

How do you prep for a spray tan?

Spray tans and self-tanners use dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a sugar compound that reacts with proteins in the cells on the outermost layer of your skin to create a tan color. Because that layer sheds constantly, a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist says a spray tan lasts about 5 to 10 days.

That's why prep matters. The color develops on whatever surface cells are there when you're sprayed. Dry, flaky patches take on more color and then shed unevenly, which is how you end up with dark knees and a patchy ankle by day four.

When	What to do	Why
48 hours before	Wax, if you wax	Waxed skin can stay red and tender, and needs time to settle
24 hours before	Exfoliate everything below the neck, then shave	Loose dead skin comes off so color goes onto an even surface
The night before	Moisturize very dry spots (knees, elbows, heels) if your studio says it's OK	Rough, dry spots are where tans grab and streak
Day of	Skip lotion, oil, deodorant, perfume and makeup	Product residue can keep color from developing evenly
At the appointment	Wear loose, dark clothes and sandals; ask about eye, nose and lip protection	A fresh tan rubs and transfers; FDA safety guidance
After	Rinse when told, pat dry, moisturize daily, wear sunscreen outside	Keeps color even; a tan isn't sun protection

When should you exfoliate before a spray tan, and how?

Exfoliate the day before, roughly 24 hours ahead. That's what most spray tan studios ask for, and it lines up with the AAD's self-tanner advice to exfoliate before applying. Doing it a day early gives any redness from scrubbing or shaving time to settle and means no product residue is left on your skin.

Get skin warm and damp. A few minutes into your shower is ideal.
Use a gentle scrub, a washcloth or an exfoliating mitt. The AAD's at-home exfoliation guide recommends small, gentle circles for about 30 seconds, then a rinse with lukewarm water.
Give rough spots extra attention: knees, elbows, ankles, heels, and the backs of your thighs and butt.
Rinse thoroughly so nothing is left on your skin.
Skip broken or sunburned skin. The AAD says never to exfoliate over open cuts, wounds or sunburn.

If you use Becky Booty Scrub for this step, it works on your legs and body as well as your butt: mix a small scoop with water on damp skin, massage in circles and rinse well. Becky's formula includes jojoba, sunflower and rosehip seed oils, which is one more reason to scrub the day before rather than the morning of your tan.

What to avoid: stiff brushes, pumice anywhere but your heels, and scrubbing until your skin turns pink. Irritated skin can take color unevenly and may sting when the solution goes on.

Should you shave or wax before a spray tan, and when?

Shaving: about 24 hours before is standard studio advice. Exfoliate first, then shave in the same shower. The AAD's shaving tips: wet your skin and hair first, use a shaving cream or gel, shave in the direction the hair grows and rinse the blade after each swipe.
Waxing: give yourself at least 24 to 48 hours, and longer if your skin stays red. The AAD's waxing guidance says never to wax sunburned or very sensitive skin, and to stop retinol and prescription retinoids 2 to 5 days before waxing.
After your tan: shaving takes a thin layer of skin, and some color, with it. Wait until after your first rinse, then use a sharp razor, shaving gel and a light hand.

What should you not put on your skin before a spray tan?

On the day of your appointment, arrive with bare, dry skin. Studios commonly ask you to skip:

Body lotion, body oil and oily cleansers. They can leave a film that keeps the solution from developing evenly.
Deodorant and antiperspirant. Residue can show up as a patchy or discolored underarm.
Perfume and body mists.
Makeup, if your face is being tanned.
Sunscreen right before your appointment, unless your technician says otherwise. Wear it afterward, though.

The AAD also notes that drying your skin helps self-tanner go on evenly, and the same applies in a spray booth: towel off fully, and don't arrive sweaty from the gym.

A quick safety note on spray booths

The FDA has approved DHA as a color additive for external use on skin, but not for use around the eyes, on the lips or on mucous membranes. It hasn't approved DHA for misting in spray booths, because safety data for that use haven't been submitted. The FDA's sunless tanner page suggests asking whether you'll be protected from spray in your eyes, on your lips and mucous membranes, and from inhaling or swallowing it. If a studio can't answer, ask for protection or go elsewhere.

How is self-tanner prep different?

The idea is the same, but you control the clock, so you can exfoliate and shave the night before and apply the next day. The AAD's self-tanner tips add a few steps that matter at home:

Exfoliate first, then dry your skin completely before applying.
Apply in sections: arms, then legs, then torso.
Wash your hands with soap and water when you finish, so your palms don't turn orange.
Dilute the tanner on knees, ankles and elbows, because those areas tend to absorb more.
Blend lightly from wrists onto hands and from ankles onto feet.
Wait at least 10 minutes before getting dressed, wear loose clothing and try not to sweat.

How do you make a spray tan last longer?

Follow the rinse time your technician gives you. It depends on the solution.
Rinse, don't scrub, in your first shower, then pat dry.
Moisturize every day. Dry skin flakes, and the color flakes with it.
Go easy on long hot showers, hot tubs and chlorine for the first few days.
Pause scrubs and exfoliating acids (glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid, retinol) while you want to keep the tan. They speed up shedding.
Wear loose clothes, especially in the first hours, to avoid rubbing and transfer.
Exfoliate when you're ready for it to go. Once it starts looking patchy, a gentle scrub lifts the uneven color so you can start fresh.

And remember that a tan isn't sun protection. Cleveland Clinic's dermatologist points out that a spray tan is not a base tan, so you still need a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher outdoors. The FDA requires sunless tanners without sunscreen to carry a warning that they don't protect against sunburn.

How do you prep your butt and bikini line for an even tan?

The butt is one of the easiest places for a tan to go wrong. It deals with friction all day and often has texture the rest of you doesn't.

Exfoliate your butt and the backs of your thighs the day before, paying attention to rough or bumpy patches. If you have strawberry skin or KP-type bumps, stay gentle; hard scrubbing only makes them red.
Shave the bikini line at least 24 hours ahead, or wax 48 hours ahead. Freshly shaved or waxed follicles can collect solution and show up as tiny dark dots.
Expect existing dark dots to show a bit more. A tan can make clogged pores and follicles more noticeable.
Wear loose, dark bottoms to the appointment and afterward. Tight leggings and seams are the classic cause of lines and rub marks.
Limit long sitting and sweating right after, when you can. Friction and sweat are how the underside of the butt turns patchy.
Ask your technician about the crease under your cheeks. A quick blend there avoids a visible line.

Prepping for a beach trip or event? The 4-week swimsuit prep countdown covers the weeks before, and how to exfoliate your legs has the full leg routine.

FAQ

What should you not do before a spray tan?

Don't exfoliate, shave or wax on the day of your appointment, and don't apply lotion, body oil, deodorant, perfume or makeup beforehand. Skip a workout right before, and don't wear tight clothes to the appointment.

Can I shave 2 hours before a spray tan?

You can, but it isn't ideal. Freshly shaved skin can be irritated, and open follicles can pick up extra color as dots. Most studios recommend shaving at least 24 hours before, then leaving the razor alone until after your first rinse.

Should I exfoliate the day of my spray tan?

Ideally, no. Exfoliate the day before so any redness can settle and no residue is left on your skin. If you forgot, a gentle washcloth and a thorough rinse a few hours ahead is better than a hard scrub right before.

Can I wait 12 hours to shower after a spray tan?

Often, yes, but the right wait depends on the solution. Some are designed to stay on for many hours, while rapid formulas are meant to be rinsed sooner and usually get darker the longer they stay on. Follow the time your technician gives you, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Do spray tans look bad at first?

They can look darker, a bit uneven or slightly orange at first. Many solutions include a cosmetic bronzer so the technician can see coverage, and bronzers wash off. The DHA color keeps developing for hours, so judge your tan after the first rinse, not on the drive home.