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Has your skin looked a bit pale lately? Well, one of the best things you can do to give it a glow-up is to get a spray tan!

Beyond giving you a golden glow, a spray tan has other benefits. It provides quick results, helps you avoid UV rays, and prevents wrinkles. Spray tans also come in many varieties, giving you the exact skin tone you want.

Have you made up your mind about getting a spray tan? If so, here are five tips that will help you prepare for the entire procedure!

Talk to the Expert

Remember that Friends episode where Ross goes to a tanning salon? If so, you know how even a little bit of confusion about the procedure can lead to disaster. You need to know what to expect before the nozzles turn on!

To prevent any mishaps, talk to the tan technician beforehand. Have them go through the entire process, including your desired results. Bonus tip: if it's your first time, go with a lighter shade first and work from there.

Cleanse and Exfoliate

Right before a spray tan, your skin needs to be sweat-free. The more sweat sits on your skin, the harder it will be for the tan to absorb evenly into your skin. To avoid that, take a shower before your appointment.

Another solid spray tan preparation tip is to exfoliate at least eight hours before the procedure. This will get rid of dead cells, giving your skin a more even base. Scrubs, dry brushes, or a loofah can all do the trick.

Go Natural

As important as it is to keep your body hydrated, oil and lotions are a no-go. Using them close to the appointment will create a barrier between your skin and the tan. This can lead to a blotchy appearance.

The oil and lotion rule works for makeup, perfume, and deodorant as well. The best thing you can do while preparing for a spray tan is to go natural. If necessary, your technician will apply a non-oil-based moisturizer.

Get Rid of Body Hair

There's nothing wrong with body hair; in fact, it can even be healthy! That said, body hair can impede the spray tanning process. For instance, the tan can dry out or discolor your hair, leading to bright orange pubes.

For best results, shave or wax before your tanning session. However, do it at least 24 hours before the appointment. Otherwise, the spray tan might seep into your pores, irritating your skin and creating dark dots.

Dress the Part

A spray tan can take a while to set. If you don't want the color rubbing off onto your clothes, wear something dark or an old T-shirt. You should also wear loose clothes, as tight clothing may cause smudges.

Finally, don't forget about your nails! Discolored nails are a dead giveaway of a faux tan, so paint them before the appointment. If you head to a nail salon, tell the manicurist to avoid oils and stick to a no-frills polish.

More on Spray Tan Preparations

The bottom line: receiving a spray tan isn't as easy as it may sound. That said, if you know what to expect, the procedure should go smoothly. The above guide will help you prepare for all eventualities!

Want to make your spray tan last? Schedule an appointment with our experts at Allvera and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!