SPRAY TAN BIBLE

"Thou shalt prepare thyself for thy spray tan"

PREP, AFTERCARE & SERVICE AGREEMENT

To help you achieve the most flawless, natural-looking tan possible (and to avoid any disappointment, mishaps or tanning disasters), please carefully read and follow this Prep, Aftercare & Service Guide, also known as “The Spray Tan Bible” 🙏🏼✨

Following these instructions will help ensure your tan develops correctly, lasts longer and fades evenly.

Your desired shade will be discussed at your appointment.

We use Sienna X Express High Intensity Tan, which is the premium fast developing solution containing 18% DHA.

So grab a cuppa, read this properly, and let’s get you glowing! ✨

Here’s what you need and what you need to do to prepare yourself for your spray tan appointment.

STEP 1. PREP PREP PREP!

• Shower Exfoliating Gloves

(This is a must have to physically remove dead skin cells - otherwise you will get dark patches!)

• 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 = Goddess

Bad Prep = Bad Tan = Ross Geller

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.

🚫 Avoid: Soap bars, sugar scrubs, exfoliating granules or fragranced shower gels - the counteracting ingredients in these products can make your tan go orange, and you will end up looking like an Oompa Loompa!

If washing your hair at the same time, please remove all shampoo and conditioner from your skin. Leftover shampoo and conditioner will affect or act as a barrier against the tan.

Be cautious with razors that have thick moisturising strips. These can leave 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, moisturise, moisturise!

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, laser, lashes etc) or apply any moisturisers, 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 holiday-coconut-biscuit factory!

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. Don't worry the solution will come out in the wash.

8. Post-Tan Clothing

Have 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 freak out 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 jewellery.

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.

💖 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. 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!

No cuddling your dog, children or partner!

8. CHILL

When developing you do nothing but just chill, chill and chill.

⏰ 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 or wear nipple shields. Unless of course, you want your baby to look like Homer Simpson in the next 8 hours!

First Shower (Rinse Off) 🚿

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, you can wash them off earlier to prevent them from becoming too dark.

Second Shower (Normal Shower)🚿🚿

Wait 24 hours from your appointment time (but no longer!) to take your first proper shower using Sanex Zero.

After this shower, your tan will look it's best!

Example: For a 2 Hour Development Time tan

• 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)

• CeraVe Body & Face Moisturising Lotion (Pump)

• E45 Daily Care Hydrating Lotion (Pump)

• 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

👻 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)

💖💖 SHARE THE LOVE 💖💖

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!

Facebook @starspraytanlondon

Instagram @starspraytan

✨ Twitter @starspraytan

✨ X @starspraytan

AMEN