Spray tanning is more than just a beauty trend. It should be treated as a science, an art, and a customized experience rooted in precision, product knowledge, and skin health.
At goGLOW, we specialize in creating a golden color that looks like it came straight from the sunshine of Cabo or the island paradises of the Caribbean, without a single minute of UV radiation exposure.
Our certified technicians use our natural DHA solutions with skin-nourishing ingredients and advanced spraying machines in a well-ventilated area to deliver radiant, even color that contours to every curve of your body. Whether you’re booking your first appointment or you’re a veteran glow-getter, this guide will reveal how professional spray tan artists achieve flawless results, every time.
From the pre-tan prep before your session to the post-sunless product regimen that maintains your shade, we break down each step of the sunless tanning process so you can confidently prepare, tan, and maintain your island glow like a pro.
The Art and Science Behind a Flawless Spray Tan
Custom spray tanning is about more than spraying a tanning product across the body.
A professional salon application involves multiple layers of precision: blending, skin analysis, and contouring, all orchestrated by highly trained technicians who consider everything from your stomach curves to your chin angle.
How Sunless Tanning Works
At goGLOW, every spray session begins with a customized application using a professional spraying machine that dispenses a fine mist of DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the active agent in sunless tanning. The custom application is created after a first consultation, which helps us craft the perfect blend for you.
This sugar-derived compound reacts with the amino acids on your skin’s surface to produce that signature sun-kissed glow, without the dangers of sunbathing or risk of melanoma linked to UV exposure, as warned by the American Academy of Dermatology.
The Professional Salon Application Difference
Unlike self-tanner creams or cosmetic bronzers that deliver only surface color, our certified spray tan artists layer your tan using cross-over, vertical, and horizontal motion passes to achieve an even, full-body spray tan coat.
- The process includes blending solution coats at transitional zones—like ankles, wrists, or the neck—to prevent buildup or unnatural streaks.
These techniques are non-negotiable pillars of every professional goGLOW experience.
Before You Glow: Prepping for a Successful Application
Perfect spray tanning techniques start long before the airbrush tan solution meets your skin.
Pre-tan preparation is where the canvas is set. Here’s how to get your skin into prime condition:
Exfoliate, Don’t Hesitate
Exfoliation is crucial. Skin cells naturally renew every 28–40 days, and if dead skin cells remain on the surface, they can block the tanning product from absorbing evenly. Many prepare by dry brushing, but we recommend using the goGLOW EXFOLIATE Mitt 24 hours before your appointment.
Focus on rough patches, elbows, knees, and ankles, without using oil-based scrubs, which can create a barrier to the bronzer.
Time Your Shave or Wax Right
Hair removal timing can make or break your tan. Shave or wax at least 24 to 48 hours before your appointment to allow pores to close. This prevents the solution from settling into open follicles—particularly around the stomach or legs—avoiding that dotted “strawberry skin” effect.
Skip the Lotion and Scents
On tan day, skip body wash with sulfates, lotions, deodorants, perfumes, or any skincare products that might alter your skin’s pH or interfere with product adhesion.
Even “invisible” ingredients in your moisturizer can repel a cosmetic bronzer or distort your shade.
Dress for the Occasion
Loose, dark full pajamas or breathable cotton outfits are your best bet. Tight clothing can cause friction against freshly sprayed solution coats, leading to streaks, smudges, or uneven patches.
Bonus: you’ll feel more comfortable during your appointment, too.
Special Populations: A Note on Pregnant Clients
While our solutions are designed with safety in mind—including our DHA and skin clinic–approved ingredients— we do not provide services to those in their first trimester.
- After the first trimester, you are more than welcome to get glowing after completion of our consent form (this can be signed when you arrive at your appointment).
- We always recommend that pregnant women consult their doctor before booking a spray tan.
Though no harm from sunless tanning has been documented, it’s best to check first.
At the Salon: How Technicians Apply Your Tan with Precision
At goGLOW, every spray tan application is performed with refined artistry and scientific consistency. From the moment your certified technician begins, every motion, whether cross over, vertical, or horizontal, is done with intent. Salon-grade sunless tanning solutions should be thought of more as customized airbrush contouring than being doused with a spray gun.
Step 1 – Shade Selection and DHA Blending
Your tan starts with a personalized consultation. Our tanning expert assesses your skin tone, undertones, body type, and lifestyle (beach vacation? photoshoot? daily glow?).
From there, we select a formula using a custom ratio of DHA. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle sun-kissed look or a bold golden brown color, the solution is matched to your desired depth.
For clients with very fair skin or sensitive pores, lighter solutions with lower DHA concentration are used. Those with more melanin or who want a deeper result may benefit from medium to dark shades blended with natural shimmer finishes.
Step 2 – The Spraying Technique
Once prepped and ready, clients are guided through a choreographed spray process.
In our ventilated area, protective eyewear and nose filters are provided to ensure safety and comfort during spraying. Pregnant women are also given additional protective measures as needed.
Our professional spray tan artist begins using a pH-balancer prep spray that ensures your skin is just right for the tanning solution.
Then comes the tanning solution coverage itself using a spraying machine designed to control airflow, overspray, and precision application. The following techniques are commonly employed throughout:
- Cross Over Motion for broad, even coverage across larger surface areas like the back or thighs.
- Vertical Motion to elongate the look of limbs and smooth over calves, arms, and stomach.
- Horizontal Motion around contours like the chin, décolleté, and underarms for shading and blending.
- Feathering & Blending around wrists, ankles, skin folds, and neck to ensure no visible lines or build-up.
Hands and feet are sprayed last using feather-light passes and minimal solution.
Barrier cream is sometimes applied to knuckles, nail beds, and heels to prevent excessive absorption, while powder is sometimes dusted post-spray to absorb any excess product in high-movement zones.
Step 3 – Final Checks and Dry Pass
Our technicians perform a final dry pass—a technique where the spraying machine releases air without solution—to help set the tan and remove residual moisture. This also acts as a final check to ensure no uneven patches, blotches, or creases, particularly around common trouble zones like the inner thighs, under the chin, or behind the knees.
Aftercare: How to Maintain the Glow and Avoid Common Mistakes
A flawless application is just the beginning. What you do after your appointment determines how long your tan lasts, how evenly it fades, and how natural it looks in the days that follow.
First Shower Timing and Technique
Depending on whether you received a traditional or rapid tan, your rinse time will vary:
- Traditional single solution: Wait 12–24 hours before rinsing.
- Rapid solution: You can rinse after 2–5 hours, depending on your technician’s instructions.
Use lukewarm water only: no soaps, scrubs, or body wash during the first rinse.
This phase leaves the DHA to continue developing over the next 24 hours.
Hydration = Longevity
Immediately after your first rinse, begin applying a post-sunless product such as goGLOW HYDRATE. This moisturizer is oil-free, formulated specifically for sunless tans, and designed to preserve your shade and skin hydration.
- Daily use of moisturizers is essential to extend the life of your tan.
- Focus on typically dry areas like the knees, elbows, and hands, where tans tend to fade fastest.
- Avoid drugstore products containing alcohols, synthetic fragrances, or exfoliating acids, which can strip your tan prematurely.
- If you’re unsure, opt for goGLOW-approved products specifically designed for sunless business clients and professional use.
Activities and Products to Avoid
For at least 24–48 hours post-tan:
- No chlorine or pools
- No hot tubs, saunas, or intense workouts
- No tight clothing that can rub the tan off
- No bar soaps or unverified self-tanners
If you’re headed to the beach, layer with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, but avoid spray sunscreens with alcohol, which can degrade your tan and dry out your skin.
Tips for Touch-Ups and Fixing Common Spray Tan Mistakes
Even with a picture-perfect application, life happens—and so do tan hiccups.
Whether it’s a missed spot or patchy fading, your glow doesn’t have to suffer. With the right techniques and sunless products, recovery is easy and discreet.
Patchiness and Uneven Fading
Dry areas like the knees, hands, elbows, and feet are most susceptible to early fading. This is usually caused by friction, dehydration, or skipping daily moisturizers.
To fix:
- Apply a small amount of goGLOW TOUCH UP self-tanner or EXTEND gradual tanner.
- Blend the edges with moisturizer for a seamless finish, especially around the ankles, wrists, or stomach folds.
- Avoid scrubbing aggressively, as this can cause further imbalance in the tan and potentially irritate your skin barrier.
Overdeveloped or Dark Spots
Sometimes, if a solution sits too long on a dry patch or wasn’t blended properly, you may end up with darker areas, like under the chin or around the elbows.
To fix:
- Soak in a lukewarm bath or take a long, warm shower.
- Follow up with an oil-free moisturizer to rebalance hydration.
Pro Tip: Avoid applying more tanning product until your skin tone has evened out. Patience paired with the right post-sunless product will always work better than overcorrecting with more bronzer.
Missed Spots or Lighter Zones
If you notice a lighter patch after your first rinse, perhaps around the wrist, armpits, or feet, use goGLOW TOUCH UP for a precision correction.
- Spray the product onto a clean makeup sponge or mitt.
- Blend gently in circular motions over the missed area.
- Let it sit undisturbed for 4–6 hours for optimal color development.
Be sure to moisturize afterward to lock in color and protect the skin’s hydration levels.
Why Technique, Products, and Prep Are Everything
A long-lasting, natural-looking glow is the result of expert training, high-performance sunless solutions, and intentional skincare from start to finish.
At goGLOW, our professional spray tan technicians receive in-depth training in skin tone matching, product chemistry, and application contouring. Whether you’re stepping into our studio or using some of our at-home salon-grade sunless tanning solutions, the result is the same: a golden brown color customized to your skin and lifestyle.
The Power of the Right Product
Every product used in your session, whether it’s our custom DHA solution, post-tan moisturizer, or exfoliating mitt, has been tested and approved for sunless skincare.
We avoid harsh additives that can disrupt your tan or your skin’s microbiome. Instead, we favor pH-balanced formulas that support detoxing, hydration, and gentle exfoliation.
Even our at-home solutions contain skin-safe shimmers that enhance the appearance of your tan in the first 24 hours before your DHA results fully develop.
Technique + Equipment Synergy
Our spraying machines are designed with airflow modulation, overspray control, and fine-mist technology, ensuring precise application. Combined with technician knowledge—like when to use horizontal vs. vertical motion, or how to apply solution coats based on body curves—this synergy eliminates common issues like uneven color, heavy deposits, or streaks.
From pregnant women needing extra ventilation to skincare-conscious clients with sensitivities, we adapt each tan for safety, comfort, and effectiveness.
Ready to Glow? Book Your Custom Spray Tan Today
Whether you’re preparing for a beach getaway, a special event, or simply want that year-round Caribbean sunshine glow, goGLOW is your trusted destination for flawless, safe, and personalized sunless tanning.
Our certified technicians, expert spray tanning techniques, and high-performance products come together to deliver a seamless experience—from your first exfoliating prep to your last moisturizing touch-up. We believe your tan should feel good, last longer, and support your skin’s health, not just look good (which you will!)
Here’s how to take the next step:
- Book Your Appointment: Choose from in-studio sessions nearest you.
- Shop the Collection: Stock up on essentials like CLEANSE body wash, HYDRATE moisturizers, TOUCH UP sprays, and EXTEND gradual tanners to maintain your glow at home.
- Consult Our Experts: Not sure what solution or shade is right for you? Our technicians in your session will customize every detail.
From skin clinics to red carpet events, our clients trust us to deliver professional-grade, safe, and stunning results, without sunbathing, without UV radiation, and without compromise.
You bring the canvas. We’ll bring the glow.
