
SPRAY TAN BIBLE
"Thou shalt prepare thyself, for thy spray tan"
PREP, AFTERCARE & SERVICE AGREEMENT
To ensure you achieve the most flawless and natural-looking tan as possible (and to avoid any upset, mishaps and disappointment - and the Lord will not save you! 🥹), please carefully READ and FOLLOW this prep, service and aftercare guide a.k.a “Spray Tan Bible” ahead of your appointment.
Your desired shade will be discussed at your appointment.
We use Sienna X Express Professional Solution containing DHA 16%
Here’s what you’ll need to Prepare Yourself for your Appointment and Aftercare:
STEP 1. PREP
• Shower Exfoliating Gloves
(this is a must to physically remove dead skin cells)
• Plain Shower Gel
(I recommend Sanex Zero for PH balance, as skin too alkali or too acidic will affect tan development)
STEP 2. APPOINTMENT
• Baggy, long-sleeve top and bottoms
• 2 x large old/dark bath towels
• Practice standing like John Wayne!
STEP 3. AFTER CARE
• Spray tan-friendly moisturiser
• Optional: Self-tanner for hands and face
🚨 PREP - 24 HRS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Getting your tan just right starts with proper prep!
Good Prep = Good Tan
Bad Prep = Bad Tan
Simple.
Follow these steps to ensure your tan looks absolutely flawless and lasts as long as possible:
1. Exfoliate & Shave
On the day or night before your appointment, exfoliate your entire body using
Exfoliating Gloves and Sanex Zero Sensitive.
Pay extra attention to areas like your hands, underarms, elbows, inner arm creases, knees, ankles and feet.
đźš« Avoid: Soap bars, sugar scrubs, exfoliating granules or fragranced shower gels - the counteracting ingredients in these products can make your tan go orange!
If washing your hair at the same time, please remove all shampoo and conditioner from your skin. Leftover shampoo and conditioner will act as a barrier against the tan.
Be cautious with razors that have thick moisturising strips. These can leave a residue on your skin that will act as a barrier against your tan.
We recommend using Men’s Gillette Mach 3.
2. Dry Hands
Hands are the biggest giveaway for a fake tan! Please make sure you exfoliate your hands properly and moisturise generously.
TIP: If your hands tend to overdevelop, you can wash them off earlier or half way, to prevent them from becoming too dark.
3. Beauty Treatments
Don’t book any beauty treatments (like nails, waxing, lashes) or apply moisturizers, oils, deodorant, perfume, or sunscreen on the day of your tan.
4. No Shaving, Showering, or Sweating
Avoid shaving, showering, or working out before your appointment. Open pores can trap the tan, leading to “chicken skin” or “strawberry legs.” Freshly washed skin can also dilute the solution and leave streaks.
5. Stay Cool
If you’re feeling hot or sweaty before your appointment, use a damp, cold face cloth to pat your skin, stand by a fan, or cool down in the coldest room in your house. This helps your body temperature return to normal.
6. Room Ventilation
Open windows or patio doors in the spray tan area to keep your space ventilated and prevent your home from smelling like a spray tan salon.
7. Bring Towels
Please provide two large, old/dark bath towels for your treatment. These will be placed inside and outside the cubicle to protect your space. The solution will come out in the wash.
8. Post-Tan Clothing
Have a loose, baggy long-sleeve top and bottoms ready to wear after your tan.
9. Noise Alert
The spray tan machine is loud and might wake up children or startle pets.
10. Parking Permits
Please arrange a parking permit in advance. Book for 1 hour (or 2 hours for couples). Send a copy of the permit or receipt before your appointment.
11. Remove Makeup & Jewelry
Make sure your skin is clean and free of makeup and accessories.
12. New tattoo Protection
Cover any fresh tattoos with waterproof dressing to protect the area.
13. Chicken Skin/Strawberry Legs
If you suffer from chicken skin or strawberry legs, please use an ice pack on legs or any affected areas, before your appointment to help close pores.
đź’– YOUR APPOINTMENT
On appointment day clear the spray tan area
Make sure any items like toys, fitness equipment, work tools, or DIY materials are cleared from the spray tan area before your appointment.
1. Set Up Space
Provide a well-ventilated area with windows open. Kitchen or living room will be ideal. The space should be at least 4m x 4m with a ceiling height of at least 7ft to fit the spray tan cubicle comfortably. This will be the working area.
2. Getting Ready
Whilst setting up, you will be given a hair net, disposable g-string and sticky feet to put on in another room.
However you can wear your own underwear, bikini or go au natural.
3. Barrier Cream
Barrier cream will be applied to your hands, elbows, knees, ankles and feet to prevent over absorption and ensure a smooth flawless tan.
4. Breathing Conditions
If you have asthma or any breathing conditions a mask can be provided during the service.
5. Listen for Instructions
The spray machine is loud, so pay close attention to Anita’s instructions on how to position yourself. This is when you need to do the YMCA!
6. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH
Yourself, the cubicle or your g-string at any time during the process.
7. After Stepping Out of the Cubicle
Do not touch any part of your body or the cubicle.
Avoid skin-on-skin contact.
No contact with water!
8. Payment
Payment are made in advance at the time of booking
⏰ AFTER CARE
During the Development Time:
Avoid Skin-to-Skin Contact
Wear loose, baggy long-sleeve tops and bottoms to prevent skin-on-skin contact. Avoid crossing your arms and legs, sitting with your knees to your chest, folding your arms, or holding devices close to your face to prevent uneven tan lines. Unless you want to look like a zebra!
Stay Cool and Dry
Avoid hot rooms, sweating, or water exposure, and skip any physical or domestic activities (e.g., gym, cleaning, walking pets, gardening, or cuddling). Water and sweat will cause streaks, patches, and uneven results.
Breastfeeding Tip
If you’re breastfeeding, you will need to bottle-feed during the development time to avoid transferring tan to your baby. Unless of course, you want your baby to look like Homer Simpson in the next 8 hours!
First Rinse-Off Shower
After the recommended development time (discussed at your appointment), take a quick, water-only, lukewarm shower to rinse off the tinted solution.
Use the shower head pressure to rinse until the water runs clear
Avoid scrubbing or using any products during this rinse.
Gently pat your skin dry with a towel or air dry—do not rub.
Final Colour Development
Your tan will continue to develop over the next 8-12 hours (your tan will be fully developed in 24 hours)
TIP: If your hands tend to overdevelop, wash them off earlier to prevent them from becoming too dark.
Second Normal Shower
Wait 24 hours from your appointment (but no longer!) to take your first proper shower using Sanex zero Sensitive.
After this shower, your tan will look its best!
Example
• Spray tan applied: Thursday at 6:00 PM
• Rinse-off shower: Thursday at 8:00 PM
• Proper shower: Friday at 6:00 PM
🌟 TANNING TIPS & MAINTENANCE
Sun Protection
Your tan will not protect you from sunburn. Wear an oil-free SPF 30-50 sunscreen to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
Moisturise Daily
Hydrate your skin twice a day using an oil-free moisturiser or after-sun lotion, especially after showering.
Start moisturising after your second shower to lock in moisture and extend your tan’s life.
Face and hands fade fastest
Use a self-tanner from day 3 to top up these areas.
Make Up
If you wear makeup, consider buying a foundation or powder 1-2 shades darker to match your tan. When your tan fades, mix the darker shade with your lighter foundation to match your current skin tone.
For a natural look, mix a small drop of dark foundation with your moisturiser to create a tinted base.
Removing Your Old Tan
To remove an old tan, enjoy a hot bath with your favourite bath soak or oil, and add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt. This helps break down the tan, relax your body, and soothe muscles.
After soaking, use exfoliating gloves with Sanex Zero Sensitive to gently scrub off the tan.
TIP: If some stubborn areas remain, don’t worry—this just means your skin isn’t ready to shed. You can still reapply a new spray tan over these areas without issue.
By following these steps your tan will look natural, last longer and fade evenly like a natural tan.
No one will know!
🌟 OTHER INFORMATION
✔️ BODY MOISTURISERS
• All Sienna X moisturisers
• Hempz Original Body Moisturiser (USA)
• E45 Moisturising Lotion
• CeraVe Body & Face Moisturising Cream
• Palmers Cocoa Body Butter Lotion
• Shea Butter
• Cocoa Butter
• Aloe Vera Butter
✔️ SAFE SUNBLOCKS
• Sunbum Original
• Supergoop
• Superdrug Solait Sensitive
• Lotion based
• Cream based
• Mineral Oil free
• Min SPF30/50
• Anything that says is spray tan friendly
❌ AVOID PRODUCTS CONTAINING
• Retinols
• All Acids
• All Oil’s
• AHA’s
• BHA’s
• Petroleum
• Witch Hazel
• Glycolic
• Alcohol
• Isopropanol
• Ethanol
• Exfoliants
• Chlorine
🚨 HEALTH FACTORS THAT CAN AFFECT YOUR SPRAY TAN
• Menstruation
• Menopause
• Hormones
• HRT
• Medication
• Pregnancy
• Puberty
• Stress
• Acne medication
• Tinea versicolor
• Low Amino Acids
• Skin Sensitivities
• Levothyroxine
• Weight loss injections
đź‘» THINGS THAT WILL FADE YOUR TAN QUICKER THAN GETTING GHOSTED!
• Having a second shower within the 24 hour development period
• Applying oils or serum to your skin
• Using products with acids & oils
• Not moisturising twice a day
• Showering twice a day or more
• Hot showers or long showers
• Long baths especially salt baths
• Shaving everyday
• Wearing skin tight clothes everyday
• Swimming pools (chlorine)
• Spa Treatments
• Gym/Workout everyday
• Scratching your skin (patches/marks)
đź’–đź’– SHARE THE LOVE đź’–đź’–
If you love your tan, we’d love to hear about it!
Pictures and positive feedback are always welcomed and appreciated.
Tag us in your photo’s on social media and receive 10% off your next spray tan!
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✨ Twitter @starspraytan
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