Spray tanning is a refined beauty practice tailored to each client’s skin tone, body shape, and desired depth of color.
However, while many think of it as a one-size-fits-all treatment, professionals know that a flawless spray involves unique techniques for each part of the body. Whether you’re a spray tan specialist working with new clients or someone considering their first session, understanding the nuances of a sunless tan for each body area is key to achieving that perfect spray.
Before You goGLOW: How to Prepare for the Tanning Salon
Proper preparation ensures that every inch of your body becomes a smooth canvas for the tanning product. Here’s how to prepare:
- Exfoliate thoroughly: Use the goGLOW EXFOLIATE Mitt, brushing or an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells after a body wash, especially on knees, elbows, and heels, where excess skin tends to build up. Focus on folds and areas prone to build-up.
- Avoid body oils and beauty products: Clean skin is essential. Oils and lotions can act as a barrier for absorption, leading to uneven color. Don’t apply perfume, deodorant, or any makeup.
- Dress smart: Arrive in loose clothing and dark clothes to prevent rubbing or white lines post-spray. Avoid tight clothing until after your first rinse.
- Shower time: Ensure a clean rinse with no residue.
- Face prep: Remove all makeup thoroughly; bearded clients should trim or brush out beards to allow the spray to settle evenly on the skin.
Rule of thumb: Treat your skin like a masterpiece in progress. The smoother the canvas, the more beautiful the glow.
Head to Toe: Tailored Spray Tanning Techniques by Body Area
Each body is unique, and so is every spray tan. To achieve consistent, flawless results from head to toe, spray tan specialists must customize their technique based on the body part being treated. From subtle angles to strategic product placement, the following section explores the art of contouring the human canvas through a spray tan by body area, and not just the entire body at once.
Face and Neck
This area requires finesse due to facial contours and high visibility.
- Use a lighter mist and a customized DHA blend.
- Clients must hold a neutral, relaxed face with their chin raised and slowly rotate side-to-side for full coverage.
- Avoid excessive layering to prevent unnatural build-up or orange tone.
- Airbrush specialists may pause to reassess mid-spray to ensure symmetry and adjust for dry or oily patches.
Chest and Décolleté
The chest is one of the most exposed areas, especially in warmer weather or special occasions, and is prone to sweating and friction from tight clothing and undergarments.
- Recommend clients wear loose clothes and avoid bras post-tan.
- For under-breast areas and larger clients, the client should lift slightly to expose skin folds.
- The application should be even, but with attention to the color additive ratio, as this area reflects light and can highlight imperfections.
Back and Shoulders
At many clinics, coverage here is often missed due to limited visibility and anatomical curves. At goGLOW, we ensure no back and shoulder misses a glowing spray.
- Clients should hold arms out and away from the body, or use a lean-forward posture for larger clients.
- Specialists should use an extraction fan to control overspray and keep the spray booth well ventilated. At goGLOW, this is not a problem, as our proprietary machines come with integrated overspray extraction fans.
- Apply a small amount of extra product in blending strokes to prevent white line creases at the shoulder blades.
Arms and Hands
The arms should be evenly coated with subtle feathering at the elbows and wrists.
- Fingers should be spread wide with a slight claw shape to reach into creases.
- Avoid washing hands until your first rinse post-tan to allow for proper development.
- Hands are a common place for uneven color if not treated carefully with minimal amounts.
Abdomen and Sides
A frequent zone for skin folds and movement, especially when sitting.
- Clients must take a deep breath and stand in a relaxed posture, with arms slightly raised.
- Pay attention to navel folds, lower side skin, and waistbands that can cause tight clothing lines.
- A light layer should be applied initially, followed by a brief pause to let the solution settle before a second pass.
- Gentle overlapping passes to reduce streaking over softer, pliable skin areas.
Legs and Feet
The lower body, especially knees, calves, and ankles, is where spray tans can go from flawless to flawed.
- Clients must bend their knees slightly to reveal all folds and prevent uneven color or white lines.
- Toes should be spread and heels flexed to expose wrinkles and dry skin.
- Apply powder after spray to prevent the product from settling in creases.
- Larger thighs or muscular legs may require an additional solution to blend seamlessly over expanded surface areas.
After the Glow: Caring for Each Body Area Post-Tan
Achieving a flawless spray tan is only half the battle; proper aftercare ensures the longevity and evenness of your sunless glow. Each body area requires specific attention post-tan to maintain that perfect, natural-looking bronze.
Follow these tips for caring for every part of your body after your spray tan session.
- Avoid tight clothing until the first rinse, a requirement or based on solution type (e.g., 2-5 hours for rapid rinse solution).
- Reapply HYDRATE lotion daily on the whole body but especially on areas prone to dryness: knees, elbows, hands, and feet.
- Do not apply products containing alcohol, acids of skin, or body sprays immediately after your spray tan appointment.
- For the face, gently cleanse using products that won’t strip the color additive or skin tone after the initial rinse
- Keep skin hydrated after a few days to ensure even fading and prepare for future appointments.
- Post-tan touch-ups can include goGLOW’s EXTEND or TOUCH UP products for a long-lasting tan and a subtle, natural-looking glow.
How to Avoid Common Spray Tan Mistakes: By Body Area
Spray tans are an art, but common mistakes can turn them into a science experiment gone wrong.
Among the most common mistakes are:
- Wearing tight clothing immediately after tan application.
- Neglecting to adjust body position during spray, especially for underarms or inner thighs.
- Not following aftercare instructions or using unsuitable beauty products.
- Not discussing client body type with the spray tan specialist; each physique may require a slight modification in stance or application technique.
goGLOW’s Pro Secrets for the Perfect Full-Body Spray Tan
At goGLOW, every spray tan begins with more than a mist—it starts with method. Our approach is grounded in personalization.
- Each session begins with a consultation to match the right tanning solutions to your skin type and tone.
- Our professionals use techniques like dry passes, solution mid-spray adjustments, and proprietary airbrushes.
- We educate clients on additional aftercare services and provide detailed aftercare instructions to support longevity and radiance.
Ready to Glow? Book Your Appointment Today
Say goodbye to tanning beds and harmful UV exposure—our spray tanning tips and expert-approved tanning products help you achieve a sun-kissed, tanned appearance safely. We’re here to help you throughout the entire process from prep tips like using gentle body scrub and wearing loose clothes and flip flops up until after care with tips like sleeping in dark sheets and avoiding old-school hacks like lemon juice and baby oil, all to avoid tan lines and orange undertones and always ensuring an even and natural-looking glow. For fair skinned clients aiming for that healthy glow let goGLOW’s tanning experts guide you to your desired shade with confidence.
Whether you’re new to sunless tanning or a seasoned goGLOW client, understanding the aspects of spray tanning by body area can dramatically improve your results. Book your session, wear dark clothing to and after, and let our specialists guide you toward a flawless finish.
Your perfect spray starts with personalized care and ends in radiant, hydrated skin that tells your story—from nose to toes.
