A smooth, long-lasting glow begins before your spray tan appointment. The first, and most important, step in proper skin preparation is exfoliation. Without removing dead skin cells and buildup from skincare, self-tanner, or daily products, a sunless tan solution can cling unevenly to the skin surface, leading to patchy results, uneven fading, or issues like alligator skin and strawberry legs.
Whether you’re preparing for an airbrush spray tan or applying sunless tanners at home, exfoliating is the foundation of achieving an even, natural-looking glow.
Proper skin exfoliation also helps the custom spray tanning solution bond more evenly with the amino acids in your epidermis, improving color development and extending the life of your glow.
At goGLOW, exfoliation isn’t optional, as it creates a clean, balanced skin base, minimizes issues with pores and texture, and sets you up for flawless self-tanning results every time.
Exfoliation: The Foundation of a Flawless Glow
The top layer of your skin naturally sheds over time, but without intentional exfoliating, buildup can remain trapped along the skin surface. This buildup affects how a tanning solution interacts with the skin, potentially causing patchiness, blotchy ankles, dark spots, or uneven absorption around elbows, knees, and ankles.
Because dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in sunless tanners reacts with the very outermost layer of the epidermis, the quality of that layer determines the quality of your glow. Exfoliation ensures your tanning routine starts on smooth, hydrated skin that is free from barriers like oils, microbeads, or abrasive scrubs.
A proper exfoliator, such as the goGLOW EXFOLIATE Mitt, or a gentle gel-based exfoliant, creates an ideal surface for both professional spray tanning and at-home gradual tanning lotion. When your skin is clean, smooth, and free of residue from products like oatmeal scrubs, fruit enzymes, alpha-hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid, your glow develops evenly and fades more gracefully.
How Exfoliation Enhances Your Spray Tan Results
Exfoliating before your spray tan creates a clean, even skin base, helping the airbrush spray tan solution absorb smoothly and develop into a consistent, streak-free glow. Without this step, dry patches and leftover buildup from skincare, sweat, or sunless tanners can lead to uneven color, streaks, or patchy results.
A proper exfoliation routine supports even product distribution across your skin tone and prevents high-absorption zones (elbows, knees, ankles, and underarms) from over-developing. It also helps open pores and release trapped debris, which reduces the chance of any tanning solution or DHA clinging too heavily in textured areas.
Smooth, exfoliated skin responds better to custom spray tanning solutions, and it holds onto color longer. That means fewer touch-ups, better fade patterns, and a glow that looks natural and not artificial or overly contoured.
When & How to Exfoliate Before a Spray Tan Session
Exfoliating before a tanning session isn’t about scrubbing away at your skin right before getting to the salon. Not at all.
Let’s go through the key rules of spray tan exfoliation:
Timing Matters
The best time to exfoliate is 24 to 48 hours before your spray tan appointment. This gives your skin time to settle after exfoliation and, if you’re also planning to shave or wax, allows pores to close fully before your tanning session.
Avoid exfoliating on the same day as your appointment, especially if you’re using scrubs or dry brushing. Overdoing it can sensitize the skin and interfere with how the tanning solution adheres.
Tools and Techniques That Work
- Use physical exfoliators like the goGLOW EXFOLIATE Mitt for an effective, residue-free prep. The exfoliating mitt helps remove buildup without damaging the skin surface.
- Skip oil-based scrubs like sugar, coffee grounds, or oatmeal blends. These often leave behind oils or debris that block absorption and disrupt the tan.
- Dry brushing is a great add-on if you’re prepping rough areas like legs or the back of arms.
- Avoid exfoliating acids, such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, fruit enzymes, or benzoyl peroxide. These thin the skin and may cause the spray-on tan to develop unevenly.
Focus your exfoliation on areas that tend to get dry or textured, like knees, elbows, ankles, and the bikini area. If you’re doing facial drops or full-body tanning, gentle exfoliation around the face, neck, and décolletage is also recommended.
Shaving + Exfoliation: A Perfect Prep Pair
Shaving and exfoliating work hand in hand to create the smoothest possible surface for your spray tan. Exfoliating first clears away dead skin cells and buildup so that shaving becomes easier and less irritating. This also helps reduce ingrown hairs and prevents the tanning solution from settling unevenly into pores, which can cause strawberry legs or patchy development.
Shave at least 8–24 hours before your appointment, ideally after your exfoliation session. This timing gives your pores time to close and allows the skin surface to settle before your tanning solution is applied. Shaving too close to your session may leave pores open, making them more likely to grab excess DHA.
Pro Tip: Avoid shaving gels or moisturizers that contain oils or heavy formulas, especially around the bikini area or underarms. These can create a barrier on the skin that blocks absorption.
Instead, use a clean razor, cool water, and an oil-free cleanser like goGLOW CLEANSE to reset the skin without stripping hydration.
Areas That Need Extra Exfoliating Attention
Some parts of the body naturally accumulate more texture, dryness, or buildup, and these areas tend to over-absorb both bronzer and tanning solution. Giving them added attention during exfoliation dramatically improves your spray-on tan’s evenness and longevity.
Focus on:
- Elbows, knees, and ankles: These thicker, drier zones often absorb too much solution and can create dark patches if not prepped fully.
- Feet and toes: Dead skin cells around the heels and sides of the feet can lead to uneven color.
- Bikini area: Red bumps or ingrown hairs can disrupt smooth application; exfoliating reduces friction and irritation.
- Back of arms: Keratosis pilaris or rough texture often develops here; consistent exfoliation smooths the skin base.
- Chest and shoulders: Sweat, skincare residue, and clothing friction can cause patchiness.
- Face and neck: If you plan to apply facial drops or self-tanner later, gentle exfoliation ensures even tone and reduces the chance of streaking near the hairline or jaw.
Remembering these high-impact areas when you’re using your pre-tan exfoliator will help your glow develop evenly and fade gracefully, reducing the risk of surprise dark spots or blotchy areas as the tan wears off.
What to Avoid Before Your Spray Tan
The days leading up to your session matter just as much as exfoliation itself. Certain products and beauty treatments can interfere with the tanning solution, disrupt pH balance, or leave residues that create barriers between your skin and your glow.
Avoid the following:
- Oil-based body scrubs (sugar, coffee, oatmeal) that leave a film on the skin surface.
- Bar soaps containing parabens, sulfates, or heavy fragrances that cause dryness or pH imbalance.
- Chemical exfoliants such as alpha-hydroxy acids, fruit enzymes, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide, as they thin the epidermis and lead to unpredictable color development.
- Beauty treatments like waxing, laser treatment, chemical peels, facials, or massages within 24 hours of your appointment. Oils, friction, or residue from these treatments can block your spray tan.
- Heavy lotions or moisturizers with mineral oil or petroleum, which act as a barrier and cause patchiness.
- Deodorant, perfume, or makeup the day of your tan, as these can react with bronzer and create uneven results.
Just bring clean, dry, product-free skin to your appointment. This ensures your custom spray tanning solution adheres evenly and gives you a flawless, natural-looking glow.
The goGLOW Difference: How Our Prep System Sets You Up for Success
At goGLOW, we don’t just offer spray tans: we deliver fully customized, results-driven skincare experiences.
Our prep system is designed to optimize your glow from the ground up, starting with expert-approved exfoliation and product recommendations.
- Our EXFOLIATE Mitt is specifically engineered for spray tan exfoliation. Unlike traditional scrubs, it uses physical exfoliation to remove buildup without leaving oily residue or causing abrasive impact on the skin. The silicone bristle side refines texture gently, making it ideal for prepping the face, bikini area, and sensitive zones.
- We pair that with CLEANSE, a gel-based, pH-balanced cleanser free of parabens, sulfates, and drying agents. It clears away pore-blocking residues while supporting skin health, helping your spray-on tan develop evenly.
Each goGLOW session includes professional advice tailored to your skin tone, skincare routine, and beauty treatments. Whether you’re prepping for a self-tanner, facial drops, or a full-body airbrush spray tan, our specialists guide you through the ideal routine, so you show up ready, confident, and glow-ready.
Final Tips to Lock In Your Glow
To make your glow last and ensure flawless development, keep these pre-tan reminders top of mind:
- Moisturize leading up to your appointment—but not on the day of the appointment. Hydrated skin helps hold onto color.
- Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing to your session to prevent rubbing or sweat from disrupting the tanning solution.
- Shave or wax at least 8–24 hours before your session, and avoid doing so immediately before.
- Avoid last-minute beauty treatments like facials, nail polish remover use, massages, or chemical exfoliants.
Prepping properly gives your tan the best chance to develop evenly, with no patches, lines, or unnecessary fading. It also allows for better contouring and color blending from your goGLOW specialist.
Prep Smarter, Glow Longer
A flawless glow starts with smooth skin, and smooth skin starts with exfoliation. Skipping this crucial step means risking streaks, blotches, and a tan that fades fast, or worse, unevenly.
Spray tan exfoliation is more than a recommendation. It’s the difference between just another self-tanning session and a professional-level, long-lasting glow. When you use the right tools, time your shave correctly, and follow skin preparation best practices, your spray tan looks better, lasts longer, and fades more beautifully.
Trust goGLOW’s process, products, and professional advice. You’ll walk away with skin that looks radiant, feels healthy, and glows in all the right ways.
Book now for a session, and also find the nearest location to you.
