Prep & Maintain Your Glow
The Secret to Flawless, Long-Lasting Spray Tans
Your glow doesn’t just come from the spray gun—it starts with how you prep and how you care for your skin afterward. At Airbrushed Sunless, we’ve pioneered luxury spray tanning in the Quad Cities since 2017, and we know this truth: prep and aftercare are everything. Even if you’ve thought your tans looked good before, the difference proper prep + maintenance makes is unmatched. With the right routine—and the right products—you’ll see deeper color, smoother fades, and a glow that lasts days longer.
Before Your Appointment – Prep Steps
Exfoliate (24 hrs before)
Gently exfoliate your entire body with a sunless-safe scrub or mitt.
​Avoid oil-based scrubs—they leave residue that blocks solution.
Timing is everything. Showering too close to spray tan can interfere with spray tan process and results may be lighter or discolored due to PH levels being off and not enough amino acids on the skin for the tan reaction.
Shave/Wax (24–48 hrs before)
If shaving or waxing, do so 1–2 days before your tan.
Freshly shaved pores can create dotting or uneven absorption.
No Lotions, Oils, Makeup, Deodorant (day of tan)
Arrive with clean, dry skin.
These products act as barriers and cause patchy development.
Clothing Prep
Wear dark, loose-fitting clothing after your tan.
Avoid jeans, sports bras, or anything tight that could rub your color.
​
The way you prep makes or breaks your spray tan. While scrubs may feel nice, most are packed with oils and butters that leave residue and actually block your tan from developing evenly. That’s why we recommend keeping it simple: our sunless-safe sulfate-free body wash, paired with an exfoliation mitt and regular dry brushing, gives you the clean, residue-free canvas your tan needs for flawless, lasting results. Scrubs are best saved for removing old tan or as part of your in-between skin maintenance—not as your go-to prep before a fresh spray.
After Your Appointment – Rinse & Care
Wait to Rinse
Follow your technician’s instructions, time varies depending on type of tan, skin tone and desired results.
No sweating, water, or skin-to-skin contact until your first rinse.
First Rinse
Rinse with lukewarm water, no soap, no scrubbing.
It’s normal for bronzer to wash off—the glow is still developing
Ongoing Showers
Use sulfate-free, sunless-safe body washes.
Avoid Dove, bar soaps, or heavy oils that strip color.
Moisturize Daily
Hydration is key for an even fade.
Use a tan-safe moisturizer morning + night.
Pat, Don’t Rub
Always pat dry after showers to avoid rubbing
Skin Prepped = Best Results
We’ve seen it all: clients who “wing it” vs. clients who use the right products. The difference is night and day. That’s why we developed the Airbrushed Sunless Bodycare Line—trusted, science-backed, and formulated specifically for spray tans.
Our Body Care Line = Your Glow Insurance
​
Sunless-Safe: No hidden ingredients that strip your tan.
Skin-Nourishing: Locks in hydration for longer wear.
Science-Backed: Designed with pH balance + sunless chemistry in mind.
Iconic Scent: Fresh, clean, and client-obsessed.
​
If you’ve never prepped and maintained your tan with the right products, you’ve never experienced your glow at its full potential.