Spray Tan Prep Guide

SPA TREATMENTS

Complete manicures, pedicures, lashes, brows, facials and massages 24-48 hours before your appointment. Complete Botox and fillers at least 3 days before your appointment.

HAIR REMOVAL

Remove unwanted body hair (shaving, waxing) 24-48 hours before your appointment, for pores to close on time. Complete laser hair removal 1 week before your appointment.

SHOWER & EXFOLIATE

Shower and EXFOLIATE 12-24 hours before your appointment using an exfoliating mitt or dry brush. Focus on the neck, collar bones, chest, under/side arms, inner elbows, wrists,  knees, back of the knees, and ankles. Ensure no product residue remains on the skin. Avoid showering the same day as your spray tan.

HYDRATED, BARE SKIN

Drinks lots of water to hydrate your skin. Arrive to your appointment with clean, bare skin (no lotions, serums, oils, makeup, deodorant or perfume).

REMOVE JEWELRY

Remove all jewelry, along with your watch, glasses or contact lenses.

WHAT TO WEAR DURING APPOINTMENT

Dress down to your comfort level, and to whether or not you want a tan line (underwear/bikini bottom and top, topless or nude). Men must wear bottoms.

WHILE THE TAN IS DEVELOPING

WHAT TO WEAR AFTER APPOINTMENT

Bring loose, dark cotton long sleeve/pants, and slides to wear after your appointment. No leggings, jeans, tight tops or bras. Bring an umbrella if it is raining.

AVOID MOISTURE

Avoid getting your skin wet or sweating (i.e. working out, spending time outdoors) before your initial rinse, as it may cause streaks or blotchiness.

AVOID TOUCHING

Avoid skin-to-skin contact with yourself or with others to prevent streaking, blotching or bronzer colour transfer. You may use baby powder in high-friction areas.

THE INTIAL RINSE

RINSE

Rinse with lukewarm water and NO SOAP! Rinse the bronzer off your entire body until you see the water running clear. Air or pat dry; do not rub the skin.

MOISTURIZE

Moisturize twice a day with spray tan safe (oil-free) lotion to prolong your tan and keep your skin looking smoother. This also allows the tan to fade evenly. I recommend Hempz, Cetaphil, Cerave, Aveeno or Native lotions.

TO MAXIMIZE LONGEVITY OF TAN

LIMIT TIME IN WATER

Limit time in ocean, pools and hot tubs. Air or pat dry. Use oil-free, waterproof sport sunscreen (no aerosols) 15 minutes before getting into water. Opt for quick, lukewarm showers. I recommend Sunbum, Bask or Coola lotion sunscreens.

USE SPRAY TAN SAFE PRODUCTS

Avoid creamy body wash (i.e. Dove, Olay) or other products containing mineral oil, fragrances or harsh chemicals that can strip the tan. I recommend Raw Sugar bodywash.

HYDRATE

Drink lots of water! Hydrated skin looks more plump and healthy, less oily, and it is less itchy and irritated. Makeup will also adhere a lot better.

USE A NEW RAZOR

If shaving is required, use conditioner, coconut oil or clear shower gel. Shave lightly with a new razor, instead of a dull one, to help protect the tan.

USE A TAN EXTENDING LOTION

Face, hands and feet fade sooner. Use a facial tanning mist or tan extending lotion to extend your tan by 3-5 more days.

SPA/BODY TREATMENTS

Review the advised waiting period before or after getting treatment(s) done with your spray tan artist.

TO REMOVE A FADING TAN

HOT SHOWERS & EXFOLIATE

Take long, hot showers or baths to moisten the skin. Exfoliate the dead skin and fading tan using an exfoliating mitt or dry brush.

USE A TAN REMOVER

Apply tan removing lotion on stubborn areas of your skin, and gently rub to remove the tan.

MOISTURIZE

Continue to moisturize your skin daily to ensure the remaining tan fades evenly, and keep skin smooth. I recommend Hempz, Cetaphil, Cerave, Aveeno or Native lotions.

Spray tanning is a safe alternative of achieving a sun-kissed glow without the harmful effects of UV rays. Sunless tanning solutions contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a colourless, non-toxic ingredient derived from sugar beets and sugarcane that reacts with the amino acids on the outermost (dead) layer of the skin to create a temporary, natural tanned effect. Once these dead skin cells fall off, the tan begins to fade. The instant colour change you see on the skin is only cosmetic bronzer, which rinses off during the initial shower. The tan colour fully develops 24 hours after the appointment.

No, you will never turn orange at Gold Spray Tan Bar! A certified spray tan artist will create a custom blended solution based on your skin type and desired colour depth. It will also consist of the appropriate DHA percentage and bronzer colour. Your spray tan artist will tell you the appropriate number of hours to “marinate” in, and give you a designated rinse time. Follow your artitst’s instructions, and you’ll be golden!

Spray tans can last 6-10 days depending on how well you follow prep and aftercare instructions. It is important to remember that everyone’s skin is different. Prior to your appointment, exfoliate well. After your appointment, moisturize, stay hydrated, and avoid sweating and over bathing to increase the lifespan of your spray tan 

The difference between gradual and rapid spray tans is the amount of time required to wait before the initial “shower” (only a rinse). Gradual spray tans have an 8-12 hour developing time, whereas rapid spray tans have a 2-6 hour developing time. Both types last the same amount of time (6-10 days), and require 24 hours to fully develop the tan colour. 

During spraying, you may dress down to your comfort level. Please note that what you leave on will result in tan lines. Women may choose to go nude if no tan lines are desired. Men are required to wear their undergarments. If you are breastfeeding, a bra or nipple covers are recommended. After your appointment, wear dark, loose-fitting cotton long sleeve and pants, and slides or sandals. Bring an umbrella if it is raining or snowing. Avoid leggings, socks, tight tops, bra or running shoes. 

The bronzers from the spray tan solution may transfer onto fabrics (i.e. clothing, bedsheets, and sofas) before your initial rinse, but they are washable and will not stain.

The best time to get a spray tan is 2 days before a special event (weddings, engagements, showers, birthdays, photoshoots, etc.), and 1 day before leaving on vacation. 

Spray tanning should be the last step in your beauty routine. Complete all manicures, pedicures, hair removal (i.e. waxing, shaving), lash extensions, facials, massages and hair services 24-48 hours prior to your appointment. However, spray tanning should always be booked 1 week after a laser hair removal treatment.

Yes, spray tans are not considered base tans, so you can still get a tan from the sun. Spray tans don’t protect from sunburns either, so it’s important to use SPF when in the sun. Spray tans are cosmetic and exist only in the outermost layer of the skin. Natural suntans involve the colouration of melanin, a substance found in the deeper layers of the skin that get tanned from exposure to UV rays.

 Although spray tanning is considered safe for pregnant women, it is strongly advised to seek permission from your family doctor or OBGYN before getting a spray tan—especially during the first trimester. If you are breastfeeding, please advise your spray tan artist to provide you with nipple covers. You may also choose to wear a bra or swimsuit top to cover your nipples. 

Spray tans reduce the appearance of skin imperfections, such as cellulite, scars, and stretch marks. They do not cover birth spots or age spots.

The more natural the product, the better. Avoid products with sulfates, parabens, alcohols, high fragrances, heavy oils, retinol and mineral oil. Body wash we recommend are Native, Raw Sugar, Cetaphil, Cerave or Method. Lotions we recommend are Hempz, Cetaphil, Cerave or Native. Sunscreen we recommend is Sunbum, Coola or Bask. 

We service Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, Vaughan, Markham, Stouffville, Scarborough, Pickering and Ajax.  All appointments within a 25 km radius from Gold Spray Tan Bar (Don Mills x Sheppard) include the travel fee. All appointments outside of the 25 km radius are subject to a travel fee of $0.85 cents per kilometre.

To secure your appointment, a credit card is required at the time of booking, but it will not be charged unless the appointment is canceled within 24 hours. The full payment is due at your appointment, after the service is complete, via credit card, etransfer or cash.