Everything you need to know before, during + after YOURTAN
BEFORE YOURTAN
How should I prep for my appointment?
Exfoliate 24–48 hours before your appointment, paying extra attention to dry areas like elbows, knees, ankles and hands. Arrive with clean, dry skin—no moisturizer, deodorant, perfume, oils or makeup.
When should I shave or wax?
Shave at least 12–24 hours before your appointment. Waxing should be done at least 24–48 hours beforehand. This gives the skin time to settle and helps your tan apply evenly.
What should I wear?
Come in whatever you’re comfortable being sprayed in. Afterward, loose, dark clothing is best. Skip tight waistbands, leggings, bras and anything that may rub against developing colour.
Can I moisturize before my tan?
Not on the day of your appointment. Moisturizer, oils and some skincare products can create a barrier between your skin and the tanning solution.
What about manicures, pedicures, facials or massages?
Do them before your spray tan whenever possible. Soaking, oils, exfoliation and treatments afterward can interfere with your colour.
YOURTAN
How do you choose my colour?
We do. Together.
Every YOURTAN is customized in real time based on your natural skin tone, undertone, desired depth and where you’re going in it. You don’t need to know a shade name or choose from a chart—that’s our job.
Will I look orange?
No orange here. Proper colour selection, quality solution and experienced application make all the difference. YOURTAN is designed to look like believable colour—not like a spray tan.
How dark can I go?
We’ll talk about what you want and what works with your skin. Sometimes deeper is beautiful. Sometimes one shade lighter looks far more expensive. We’ll guide you.
What is DHA?
DHA is the tanning ingredient that reacts with amino acids on the surface of your skin to create temporary colour. It works on the outermost layer of the skin and gradually fades as those skin cells naturally shed.
What’s the difference between Signature + Express?
Signature develops on the skin for approximately 8–12 hours before rinsing.
Express allows you to rinse much sooner—generally within 1–4 hours depending on your desired depth.
Important: Express means express rinse, not express result. Your colour continues developing after you shower and reaches its full result at approximately 24 hours.
What is a Clear tan?
Clear is applied without an instant cosmetic bronzer. You leave looking essentially the way you arrived while your tan develops gradually.
It’s beautiful for brides, mature skin, melasma concerns, light clothing or anyone who simply doesn’t want to wear guide colour home.
What makes YOURTAN different?
Technique first. Formulation second.
We select professional solutions based on skin finish, performance and thoughtful skincare ingredients—including ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, nourishing oils and peptides within select formulas.
Then we customize the application to your skin and body.
What does peptide-infused mean?
Select YOURTAN solutions contain cosmetic peptides commonly used in modern skincare formulations, including Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8.
We love a tanning formula that thinks about the skin, too.
Can I spray tan with sensitive skin, eczema or psoriasis?
Often, yes—but every skin condition is different. Let us know before your appointment, particularly if your skin is irritated, actively flaring, broken or exceptionally reactive. When appropriate, a patch test may be recommended.
Can I spray tan while pregnant?
Many clients continue spray tanning during pregnancy, but pregnancy can change skin sensitivity. We recommend discussing spray tanning with your healthcare provider first and always letting your artist know you’re pregnant.
Can teenagers get a spray tan?
Yes. Minors require parent or guardian consent in accordance with our studio policy.
AFTER YOURTAN
When do I rinse?
Your artist will give you a specific rinse time before you leave. Follow your rinse time rather than someone else’s—the timing is part of your customized tan.
What should my first rinse look like?
Massage the tan off the skin with lukewarm water & hands, rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. Avoid scrubbing. Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing.
My colour looks lighter after I rinsed. Did I wash it off?
No. What you see before your first shower includes cosmetic guide colour. When you rinse, that bronzer washes away while your actual DHA tan continues to develop underneath.
Give it the full 24 hours before judging your final colour.
When can I moisturize?
After your first rinse, follow the instructions your artist gives you. Once your tan has developed, daily moisturizing is one of the best things you can do to keep the fade soft and even.
When can I work out?
Ideally, wait until after your first rinse and allow the tan to develop before a heavy, sweaty workout. Sweat, friction and tight clothing during development can affect the finish.
Can I swim?
Yes—but chlorine, salt water and prolonged soaking can shorten the life of any sunless tan. Rinse with fresh water afterward and moisturize.
Can I shave?
Yes, gently. Use a fresh razor, light pressure and avoid aggressive exfoliation.
Will my tan transfer?
The cosmetic bronzer in some formulas may transfer slightly while developing. It’s water soluble but we still recommend loose, dark clothing until your first rinse.
Clear formulas are an excellent option when transfer is a particular concern.
How long will my tan last?
Typically 7–10 days, depending on your skin, lifestyle and aftercare.
Hydration helps. Long hot showers, aggressive exfoliation, retinol, frequent swimming and friction do not.
How do I make my tan last longer?
Moisturize daily. Keep showers warm rather than very hot, avoid unnecessary exfoliation, rinse after sweating or swimming and use a mineral SPF when you’re outside.
Treat your tan nicely and it will return the favour.
EVENTS + BRIDAL
When should I tan before an event?
For most events, we recommend booking approximately two days before. It gives your colour time to fully develop, settle and look its best.
When should I tan before my wedding?
Typically two days before the wedding. Your artist will help determine the ideal timing based on your wedding schedule, travel and other beauty appointments.
Should I have a bridal trial?
Yes. Your wedding day is not the day to experiment.
A trial lets us perfect your colour, depth, formula and rinse time well before the dress goes on.
Is Clear good for brides?
We love Clear for bridal. There’s no cosmetic bronzer sitting on the skin during development, making it an especially beautiful option when white clothing and transfer are concerns.
Will my tan transfer onto my wedding dress?
Once your tan has been properly rinsed and your skin is clean and dry, transfer risk is significantly reduced. We’ll also walk you through bridal-specific aftercare so your skin—and your dress—are considered.
GOOD TO KNOW
Does a spray tan protect me from the sun?
No. A spray tan is colour, not sun protection. Unless a separate product specifically states otherwise, your tan does not contain SPF. Wear sunscreen.
Can I spray tan if I’m sunburned or peeling?
We recommend waiting. A spray tan cannot disguise actively peeling skin and may actually make uneven texture more noticeable. Let the skin fully recover first.
What about tattoos, laser treatments or cosmetic procedures?
Timing matters. These treatments can involve healing, exfoliation or increased skin sensitivity. Complete them before your tan and follow the aftercare timeline given by your treatment provider before spray tanning.
How often can I spray tan?
Many regular clients tan weekly or every other week. The important part is beginning each appointment with properly prepared skin and removing the previous tan gently before applying a fresh one.
Do I need to know anything else?
Come as you are. Tell us where you’re going, what you’re wearing and how you want to feel.
We’ll handle the colour.