Discover the Benefits of Spray Tanning for a Sun-Kissed Glow
As the pursuit of a healthy and radiant complexion continues to evolve, the beauty industry presents us with various options to achieve that coveted sun-kissed glow. Among these options, spray tanning has emerged as a popular choice for those seeking a safer and more convenient alternative to traditional tanning and tanning beds. In this blog post, we will explore the ins and outs of spray tanning, its benefits, and how to achieve a flawless, natural-looking tan.
What is Spray Tanning?
Spray tanning, also known as sunless tanning or airbrush tanning, involves the application of a tanning solution to the skin, which reacts with the outermost layer to produce a temporary tan. It is very similar to a dye effect. Unlike sunbathing or tanning beds, which expose the skin to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, spray tanning offers a safer alternative to achieve a beautiful tan without risking sun damage or premature aging.
Benefits of Spray Tanning:
UV-Free: Spray tanning eliminates the need for harmful UV exposure, reducing the risk of skin damage, sunburns, and skin cancer.
Faster Results: Unlike natural tanning, which may require hours of being out in the sun, spray tanning sessions are about 20 min, allowing you to achieve a gorgeous tan in a much shorter amount of time.
Customizable and Natural: Spray tanning solutions come in various shades, allowing you to select the depth of color that suits your preferences. Professional spray tan techs can also customize the application to ensure a natural-looking tan that works with your skin tone.
Even Coverage: Spray tanning ensures an even application, minimizing the likelihood of patchiness or streaks that can occur with self-tanning products.
Temporary and Fade Gracefully: Spray tans typically last for about 7-10 days, gradually fading away as your skin naturally exfoliates. This allows you to maintain a consistent tan or return to your natural skin tone as desired.
Preparing for a Spray Tan
To achieve the best results from your spray tanning session, it's important to prepare your skin adequately beforehand:
Exfoliate: Gently exfoliate your skin the night before your appointment to remove dead skin cells. This helps the tanning solution adhere more evenly to your skin. Remember, spray tans sit on the top layer of your skin so you want to start with a fresh pallet.
Moisturize After Exfoliating: Use a lotion, no oils, and pay attention to dry areas such as elbows, knees, and ankles.
Avoid Makeup, Oils, Deodorants and Perfumes: On the day of your spray tan, refrain from wearing any makeup, oils, deodorants and perfumes to your appointment. These can interfere with the tanning solution's absorption and may result in an uneven tan.
During the Spray Tanning Session
When you arrive for your spray tanning appointment, you can expect the following steps:
Consultation: We will discuss your desired tan shade and decide on color and which solution to use.
Application: I will apply the tanning solution using a handheld spray gun. You will be guided through a series of quick, easy postures during the spraying process.
Drying Time: After the application, it's important to allow the tanning solution to dry. You will spend a few minutes in front of the fan.
Maintaining and Enhancing Your Spray Tan
To extend the life of your spray tan and keep it looking fresh, consider the following tips:
When showering regularly, use only a mild shower gel and apply with your hands. Do not use scrubs, shower poufs, bar soaps or Dove products as these will strip away your sunless color. Always pat dry your skin after.
After showering, moisturize daily with a basic mineral oil free body lotion. Cocoa butter, shea butter, and pure coconut oil work best. Hydrated healthy skin retains the tan longer as dry skin tends to exfoliate faster, leading to faster fading of the tan.
Whether you're prepping for a vacation, photo shoot, or just want that effortless glow year-round, a professional spray tan makes all the difference.
Your perfect glow is waiting. Book your custom tan here.
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How Often Should You Spray Tan?
How long does a spray tan last? Can you spray tan too often? And how often should you really book a session?
These are some of the most common questions I get from my clients—and honestly, they’re great ones. In this post, I’ll walk you through the answers, plus share my best insider tips to help you get the most out of your L.A. Sun Spray Tan and keep your glow looking fresh.
How long do spray tans last?
Spray tans sit on the top layer of your skin and as your skin naturally exfoliates, your tan goes with it. The “life span” of a sunless tan depends on your skin’s natural exfoliation. On average, spray tans last about 7-10 days and can last longer when properly maintained. Pre and post care are extremely important to increase the longevity of your tan.
PRE CARE: For the best spray tan results, be sure to shave, shower and exfoliate your skin the night before your spray tan session. Avoid using any oils, Dove products and bar soap when exfoliating. The best way to exfoliate is to apply a shower gel to bath mitts and scrub. You can find bath mitts at most drug stores including Rite Aide, CVS and Target. After exfoliating be sure to moisturize with a lotion, no oils. This is very important because hydrated healthy skin will retain the tan longer! The day of your appointment, don’t do anything to your skin.
POST CARE: When showering regularly, use a mild body wash and apply with your hands. Do not use any scrubs, shower poufs or bar soaps, as these will strip away your sunless color. Avoid Dove products and choose a body wash that is as natural as possible. My studio carries a great body wash that is made for spray tanning and helps to maintain the spray tan longer.
It’s best to avoid long hot showers. Always pat dry your skin after showering and moisturize daily with a basic mineral oil free body lotion- cocoa butter and shea butter work great. Pure coconut oil is also a great moisturizer for your spray tans. Apply these products immediately post-shower, while your skin is still damp, to lock in moisture. Remember, hydrated healthy skin retains the tan longer!
So, how often should you spray tan?
It really depends on your lifestyle. Some of my clients tan weekly, others come in every 10–12 days to maintain a constant glow, and some save it for big events. If you're looking to stay consistently bronzed, scheduling your spray tan every 7 to 12 days is the sweet spot for keeping your color fresh while making the most of each session.
At your appointment, I’ll share even more personalized tips (the kind that don’t make it into blog posts 😉) to help your tan last beautifully between visits.
When to Reset: Why Detoxing Matters
There’s no harm in spray tanning often, but it’s important to detox and exfoliate your skin about once a month. This ensures you’re not layering new color over old and helps your next tan apply evenly. I recommend detoxing every 4–5 weeks to give your skin a clean slate and a hydration boost.
A few ways to detox:
Take a long soak in the bath or spend time in a steam room
Swim in a chlorinated pool or relax in a hot tub
Apply baby oil with a touch of lemon, let it sit for 10 minutes, and gently exfoliate with mitts in the shower
This helps loosen old color and preps your skin for the next flawless glow.
Why L.A. Sun Spray Tan?
I use only natural, skin-loving spray tan solutions that are packed with vitamins, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and made in the USA. Every tan is formulated with Eco-Cert organic DHA and designed to nourish while it bronzes—no unnecessary extras, just clean, quality ingredients.
Whether you tan weekly or just for special occasions, consistency and care are key to keeping that effortless, radiant glow. At L.A. Sun Spray Tan, I help you build a custom routine that fits your lifestyle—so you never have to wonder when it’s time to book. Consistency is key to keeping that flawless sunless glow. Whether you want a fresh tan every week or a subtle boost for special events, I’ll help you find the right rhythm. At L.A. Sun Spray Tan, I tailor your tanning plan to fit your lifestyle—so you never have to second-guess when to book.
Stay glowing. Reserve your next L.A. Sun Spray Tan now.
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Timeless Glow | Becca Lane | L.A. Sun Spray Tan
Another stunning set with Becca Lane, featuring her signature custom glow by L.A. Sun Spray Tan, captured in a timeless Joshua Tree photoshoot.
Spray Tan — L.A. Sun Spray Tan – Express
Agency — Vision LA
Instagram — @becclane
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For her wedding day, Jaclyn Cleary chose an Express natural glow by L.A. Sun Spray Tan — perfect for her bridal portraits.
Spray Tan — @lasunspraytan – Express
Instagram — @jaclyn_danielle
Photographer — @boonestudios
Hair — @c.liu.hair
Makeup — @daisydennismua
Dress — @bhldn
Jewelry — @tiffanyandco
Get Your Skin Ready: Essential Tips for the Perfect Spray Tan
If you want your spray tan to look amazing and last as long as possible, it all starts with one thing: hydration.
Spray tans develop on the top layer of your skin — and when your skin is healthy and hydrated, the color grabs better, fades more evenly, and looks more natural. Dry skin? It can cause patchiness, uneven fading, and a shorter lifespan for your glow.
Here’s what I recommend to get the most out of your tan:
The Night Before Your Spray Tan
Exfoliate Well
Use a simple pair of bath gloves or an exfoliating mitt (you can find them at Target, CVS, or right at my studio). Apply a mild, non-oily shower gel — I personally like Suave — and give your skin a good scrub.
(Pro Tip: Avoid Dove soaps, bar soaps, or anything moisturizing — they can leave a film that interferes with your tan.)
Shave or Wax If Needed
If you’re planning to shave or wax, do it after exfoliating — and at least a few hours before your appointment, so your skin has time to calm down.
Moisturize Lightly Before Bed
After exfoliating, apply a basic, oil-free lotion to hydrate your skin overnight. No heavy oils — just a clean, simple lotion to seal in the moisture and let your natural oils do their thing by the next day.
Extra Prep for Even Better Results
Want to boost your glow even more? Start hydrating from the inside out.
Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment.
Take Omega-3 supplements if it’s right for you — they help keep your skin soft, smooth, and ready to glow. (I personally love fish oil, but there are great vegan options too!)
Aftercare: Keep That Glow Fresh
After your spray tan, daily moisturizing is key. Apply lotion right after you shower, when your skin is still damp and your pores are open.
Stick with basic, natural moisturizers — pure coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter are all great options. (The simpler, the better!)
Hydrated skin makes all the difference when it comes to your spray tan — and it’s easy to get it right with just a few small steps.
I’ll guide you through everything when you come in, so you can walk out with your best, longest-lasting glow.
Ready to glow? Book your spray tan session here.
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Sun-Kissed | Sophia Le | L.A. Sun Spray Tan
Sophia Le brings effortless beauty to life with her custom L.A. Sun Spray Tan, captured in these glowing moments in Santa Monica.
Spray Tan — L.A. Sun Spray Tan – Express
Agencies — Print – CESD | Commercial – Daniel Hoff
Instagram — @sophiale
Photographer — Jennifer Garcia
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A luminous, bronzed glow for Brianna Barnes, featuring a custom spray tan by L.A. Sun Spray Tan for her Show Me Your Mumu photoshoot.
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Instagram — @bri_ashbarnes
Brand — Show Me Your Mumu
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Becca Lane glows in a custom L.A. Sun Spray Tan, captured in these sun-drenched editorial moments in Los Angeles.
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Agency — Vision LA
Instagram — @becclane
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