How to Love Your Glow – Post Tan Instructions

Immediately After Your Appointment

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While your tan develops:

• Wear loose-fitting, dark clothing.

• Avoid bras, leggings, tight waistbands, socks, and anything that may rub against your skin.

• Wear flip-flops or loose-fitting shoes if possible.

• Avoid sweating, exercising, swimming, rain, steam rooms, and anything that gets your skin wet.

• Avoid lotions, deodorant, perfume, makeup, and other skincare products until after your first rinse. For the best results, wait until the following morning to return to your normal skincare routine.

• Avoid touching or scratching your skin excessively.

• Keep puppies from licking you and little ones from climbing all over you while your tan develops.

 

Your First Rinse

 

We'll let you know exactly when to rinse based on the solution used and the color you're looking to achieve.

Be sure to set an alarm on your phone so you don't accidentally over-process your tan.

Below is a general guide for our solutions:

Standard (Overnight) Solution

Rinse 8–12 hours after your appointment, or as directed by your spray tan artist.

 

Rapid Solution

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Your rinse time depends on the depth of color selected during your appointment.

• 2–3 Hours: Light Glow

• 3–4 Hours: Medium Tan

• 4–5 Hours: Dark Tan

• 5–6 Hours: Deep, Rich Tan

Please do not exceed your recommended rinse time unless instructed otherwise.

 

How to Rinse

 

During your first shower:

• Rinse with lukewarm water only.

• Do not use soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, washcloths, loofahs, or exfoliating mitts.

• Gently use your hands to remove the cosmetic bronzer.

• Continue rinsing until the water runs clear.

• Pat your skin dry with a towel—never rub.

Don't panic if you see color washing away. This is simply the cosmetic bronzer. Your DHA tan continues developing beneath the surface.

Your color will continue developing for 12–24 hours, especially with rapid solutions. Wait until the following day before evaluating your final color.

 

Daily Care

 

To help your tan last as long as possible:

• Moisturize your skin every morning and evening.

• Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.

• Use a gentle, sulfate-free body wash.

• Pat your skin dry after showering instead of rubbing.

• Avoid long, hot showers and baths.

• Limit shaving when possible, as shaving naturally exfoliates the skin.

• Avoid body scrubs, exfoliating gloves, and harsh washcloths.

• Avoid skincare products containing retinol, tretinoin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or other exfoliating ingredients.

Healthy, hydrated skin is the key to a beautiful, longer-lasting spray tan.

 

Swimming

 

Swimming won't immediately remove your spray tan, but chlorine and salt water can cause it to fade more quickly.

• Limit extended time in pools, hot tubs, and the ocean whenever possible.

• Rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible after swimming to remove chlorine or salt.

• Pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer afterward to help preserve your tan.

 

Sun Protection

 

A spray tan does not provide protection from UV rays.

Please continue wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher whenever you're outdoors.

For the best results, choose a lotion sunscreen instead of an aerosol spray sunscreen. Aerosol sunscreens often contain alcohol and can require rubbing into the skin, which may contribute to uneven fading.

 

SolFlower Favorites

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These are the products we recommend to help extend the life of your tan while keeping your skin healthy and hydrated.

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Body Wash

⭐ Native Body Wash (Our Favorite)

• CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash

• Method Simply Nourish Body Wash

• Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

 

Moisturizer

⭐ Native Body Lotion (Our Favorite)

• CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

• Vanicream Daily Moisturizer

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Sunscreen

⭐ Sun Bum Original Lotion SPF 50 (Our Favorite)

A lotion-based sunscreen that protects your skin while helping preserve your glow.

 

Choosing the Right Skincare Products

 

When selecting skincare products, choose products that are:

✓ Sulfate-Free (SLS & SLES Free)

✓ Mineral Oil-Free

✓ Gentle Cleansers

✓ Hydrating Moisturizers

✓ Lotion-Based Sunscreens

✓ Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 or Higher

✓ Lightly scented or fragrance-free whenever possible

 

Avoid products containing:

✗ Sulfates (SLS/SLES)

✗ Mineral Oil

✗ Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly)

✗ Aerosol Spray Sunscreens

✗ Retinol or Tretinoin

✗ Glycolic Acid (AHA)

✗ Salicylic Acid (BHA)

✗ Benzoyl Peroxide

✗ Harsh Exfoliants or Body Scrubs

✗ Heavily fragranced lotions and body products (such as Bath & Body Works® or Victoria's Secret®), which may contribute to faster fading.

Using gentle, sulfate-free skincare before and after your spray tan will help your color last longer and fade more evenly.

 

Maintaining Your Glow

 

With proper care, most spray tans last 7–10 days.

To keep your glow looking its best:

• Moisturize daily.

• Stay hydrated.

• Avoid unnecessary exfoliation.

• Schedule your next appointment every 7–14 days for beautiful, consistent color.

 

When Your Tan Begins to Fade

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As your spray tan begins to fade, you may notice dry patches or uneven areas. This is completely normal and simply means your skin is ready for a fresh start.

Gently exfoliate to remove any remaining tan whenever you're ready. Healthy, smooth skin is the perfect canvas for your next beautiful glow.

 

Questions?

 

If you have any questions about your tan or your aftercare, please don't hesitate to reach out.

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We're always happy to help!

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See you at your next appointment!

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