There’s something about having a tan that just makes you feel better. Your teeth look whiter, your muscles look more defined, that little black dress suddenly looks amazing, and somehow you just feel more confident walking into a room. But here in Gilbert, we all know the real cost of a “natural” tan – premature aging, sun spots, and worse. That’s where professional spray tanning comes in, and at Raise The Bar Med Spa, we’ve perfected the art of giving you that sun-kissed glow without a single UV ray touching your skin.
Let me dispel the biggest spray tan myth right now: no, you won’t look orange. You won’t have weird streaks. You won’t look like you fell into a vat of self-tanner. Those disasters happen from drugstore self-tanners applied at home without proper technique. A professional spray tan, applied by licensed technicians like our founder Amanda Busch (who’s a certified spray-tan artist), is a completely different experience.
The Science Behind Your Glow
Understanding how spray tans work helps explain why preparation is so important. The active ingredient, DHA (dihydroxyacetone), is a colorless sugar that reacts with the amino acids in your skin’s outermost layer. This creates a temporary bronze color that develops over hours, not instantly. It’s not a dye, it’s not a paint – it’s a chemical reaction that happens only in dead skin cells that are going to shed naturally anyway.
This is why your tan fades gradually and evenly when done correctly. As your skin naturally sheds its dead cells over the course of a week, your tan fades with them. No weird patches, no sudden loss of color – just a gradual return to your natural skin tone.
The Week Before: Setting the Stage
Great spray tan results start long before you walk into our spa. About 48 hours to one week before your appointment, if you’re planning any waxing or laser hair removal, now’s the time. Your skin needs time to calm down from these treatments, and you don’t want to wax after your tan because you’ll literally wax the color right off.
This is also when you should be increasing your water intake and moisturizing daily. Hydrated skin holds color better and longer. Think of your skin like a sponge – a dry sponge will absorb color unevenly and release it quickly, while a properly hydrated sponge holds everything beautifully.
The 24-Hour Countdown
The day before your spray tan is arguably the most important in your preparation timeline. This is exfoliation day, and I cannot stress enough how crucial this step is. You’re not just doing a quick scrub in the shower – you’re creating the perfect canvas for your tan.
Use a good exfoliating mitt or scrub and really focus on the areas that tend to grab color: knees, elbows, ankles, and hands. These areas have thicker skin that can absorb more DHA, leading to darker patches if not properly prepped. Pay special attention to your feet – use a pumice stone on your heels, get between your toes, and don’t forget your ankles.
If you need to shave, do it now, not the morning of your appointment. Shaving right before can leave your pores open and irritated, which can lead to a dotty appearance when the tan develops. Give your skin at least 12 hours to calm down after shaving.
The Day Of: Less Is More
The morning of your appointment, shower with just warm water and a gentle cleanser. No moisturizer, no deodorant, no perfume, no makeup – nothing. I know it feels weird to leave the house without these things, but they create barriers between your skin and the tanning solution. Deodorant in particular can cause the solution to turn green in your underarms. Not a good look.
Wear loose, dark clothing to your appointment. Tight clothes can rub the tan before it’s fully set, creating lines and patches. Dark colors are insurance against any transfer, though our solutions are designed to minimize this. Flip-flops are ideal – you don’t want sock lines or shoe marks on your fresh tan.
The Application Experience
When you arrive at Raise The Bar, we’ll have a quick consultation about the shade you’re hoping to achieve. We can go subtle (perfect for first-timers or professional settings), medium (that “just back from vacation” look), or dark (for special events or if you want dramatic results).
The rapid tan lets you rinse in 1-3 hours, with the shade depending on how long you leave it on and is fully developed in 18-24 hours. It’s perfect for last-minute events or if you can’t stand the feeling of having product on your skin.
Before we start spraying, we’ll apply a prep spray that balances your skin’s pH for optimal color development. Then comes barrier cream on your hands, feet, elbows, and knees – areas that we want to tan but not too much. This is where professional application makes such a difference. We know exactly how much barrier cream to use and where to place it for natural-looking results.
The actual spraying takes about 15 minutes. You’ll stand in various positions while we ensure every inch is covered evenly. The solution feels cool and slightly sticky. Some clients find the smell a bit unusual – it’s not unpleasant, just distinctive. That’s the DHA doing its work.
After spraying, we apply a drying powder that helps set the tan and reduces that sticky feeling. You’ll be able to dress and leave immediately, though you’ll want to avoid tight clothes and sweating for the next few hours.
The Development Phase: Patience Pays Off
This is where most spray tan disasters happen – people don’t follow the aftercare instructions. For rapid tans, we’ll tell you exactly when to rinse based on your desired depth. One hour gives a subtle glow, two hours is medium, three is dark, and four is the maximum. Set a timer. This timing matters.
For traditional tans, you’re in it for the long haul – 8 hours minimum. Most clients sleep in their tan, which is why we recommend doing traditional applications in the evening. Put old sheets on your bed (there might be some transfer), wear loose pajamas, and resist the urge to rinse early.
During development, avoid water completely. No dishes, no cleaning, no workouts, no rain walks. Water before your tan has properly developed will cause streaking. Also avoid any activities that make you sweat. This is your excuse to relax and do absolutely nothing.
The First Rinse: The Big Reveal
When it’s time to rinse, use lukewarm water only – no soap, no cleanser, nothing but water. You’ll see brown water running off, and you might panic thinking your tan is washing away. Don’t worry! That’s just the cosmetic bronzer that gave you immediate color. Your actual tan is developing in your skin and will continue to darken over the next 24 hours.
Pat dry gently – don’t rub. Then apply a light, oil-free moisturizer. Your tan will continue developing, and by the next day, you’ll see your final color. This is when the magic really happens. You wake up, look in the mirror, and there it is – a perfect, natural-looking tan that makes you look like you’ve been lounging on a beach, not sitting in a Gilbert office.
Making It Last: The Maintenance Phase
A professional spray tan typically lasts 5-7 days, but with proper care, you can stretch it to 10. The key is hydration. Moisturize twice daily with an oil-free lotion. We sell tan extender lotions that have a small amount of DHA to refresh your color as you moisturize.
Avoid long, hot showers. Heat and extended water exposure accelerate fading. When you do shower, use gentle, sulfate-free products. Pat dry instead of rubbing. Avoid exfoliating until you’re ready for your tan to fade.
Swimming is tan enemy number one. Chlorine will strip your color fast, and even ocean water can accelerate fading. If you must swim, rinse immediately after and apply your moisturizer, but know that your tan’s lifespan will be shortened.
Exercise carefully. Sweating itself won’t ruin your tan once it’s developed, but the friction from tight workout clothes might cause uneven fading. Applying some powder to these areas prior to your workout may help. And always shower immediately after working out – letting sweat sit on your skin can cause your tan to break down faster.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with perfect preparation, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. If your tan develops too dark, gentle exfoliation can help lighten it. A baking soda paste or lemon juice can also help fade color naturally. If you notice patches or streaks, a gradual tanning lotion can help even things out.
If your tan is fading unevenly, it’s usually due to dry patches grabbing and releasing color differently. Regular moisturizing and gentle exfoliation can help prevent this in future applications.
Special Event Strategy
For weddings, proms, or other special events, we recommend a trial run about two months before. This lets you see how your skin takes the color, how long it lasts on you, and what shade looks best in photos. Then, schedule your actual appointment for 2-3 days before your event. This gives the tan time to fully develop and settle into that perfect, natural-looking glow.
For vacations, get your spray tan 1-2 days before you leave. You’ll arrive at your destination looking sun-kissed, and it provides some psychological sun protection – when you already look tan, you’re less likely to bake in the sun trying to get color.
The Professional Difference
I’ve had clients come to us after disasters with at-home tanning products, convinced they just can’t tan evenly. Then they get a professional application and can’t believe the difference. It’s not just about the quality of the solution (though ours is definitely superior). It’s about the technique, the preparation, the barrier cream placement, the even application, and the expertise that comes from doing this day in and day out.
Our prices start at just $35, which is incredibly reasonable when you consider the cost of sun damage, both in terms of your health and future aesthetic treatments to correct it. Plus, we offer package deals and our Self-Care Circle members get special pricing.
Embracing Your Glow
There’s something transformative about a good spray tan that goes beyond just the color. Clients stand a little taller, smile a little broader, and carry themselves with more confidence. Maybe it’s because they feel they look better, or maybe it’s because they took time to do something for themselves. Either way, that confidence is the best accessory you can wear.
At Raise The Bar Med Spa, we’re here to give you that sun-kissed glow safely, professionally, and beautifully. No sun damage, no orange disasters, no streaky mishaps – just beautiful, natural-looking color that makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Book your appointment today and discover why professional spray tanning is the secret to maintaining that perfect Arizona glow year-round, without ever risking your skin in the actual Arizona sun.
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