It’s heating up outside… but that doesn’t mean it’s time to show up in tank tops and shorts at the sunless tanning salon!
When prepping for your spray tanning session at goGLOW—known for our flawless spray and sunless tanning expertise—your choice of clothing directly impacts your perfect glow.
Let’s make sure your summer tan doesn’t come with unintended uneven color development or color transfer.
Pre-Tan Prep Key Steps: Getting Your Skin Ready
The tanning process for a perfect glow actually starts way before the session. It’s all about prepping your skin right. Good pre-tan prep means a smooth application and a glowing tan that sticks around longer.
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be all set to shine bright at your event.
Exfoliation and Shaving:
Use a gentle exfoliating body mitt or body cleansers to remove dry skin, body oils, and rough spots, at least 24 hours before your tanning appointment. This helps prevent uneven results and ensures smoother application of bronzer. More on the importance of this step here.
Skip Lotions, Oils, Perfume, Makeup, and Deodorant:
These can interfere with the active ingredient in the tanning solution, leading to patchy results or even potential reactions.
Avoiding Water-Based Lotions:
These may seem hydrating, but often create barriers that block the spray tanning formula from evenly penetrating your body skin.
The Power of Skin Hydration (Without Oily Products):
Hydrated skin is the foundation for a consistent color and longer-lasting tan. Use oil-free daily body wash and moisturizers before and after your appointment to maintain optimal skin condition without causing uneven patches or dark patches.
The Clothing Checklist for Your Spray Tan Appointment: Dos and Don’ts
Choosing the right clothing for your goGLOW appointment is crucial in ensuring your tan develops flawlessly without any mishaps. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing not only keeps you at ease but also helps prevent any streaks, smudges, or color transfers.
Let’s dive into what you should—and shouldn’t—wear to protect your new glow.
Tops and Shirts 👚
Don’t:
- Tank tops, bandeau style tops, or tight t-shirts
- Avoid any tight clothes that create unwanted friction, especially around your upper body or underarms. Excessive sweating can mix with residual tanning solution, causing uneven color in the armpits and elbow creases.
Do Instead:
- Wear loose, dark clothing like loose fitting dresses, a long-sleeved cotton shirt, or an oversized t-shirt. These prevent color transfer and protect your flawless tan.
Bottoms 👖
Don’t:
- Shorts, tight jeans, leggings, or short dresses
- These can cause excess friction between the inner thighs or behind the knees, leading to uneven color development or rubbed-off tan on leather seats!
Do Instead:
- Again, loose clothing is the answer here. Choose baggy sweatpants, joggers, or maxi dresses. This kind of loose-fitting attire ensures your entire body is free from skin-to-skin contact, ideal for a successful spray.
Footwear 👡
Don’t:
- Avoid wearing socks, closed-toe shoes, tight sneakers, or boots
- These trap sweat, causing uneven patches on your feet—especially if your feet get hot.
Do Instead:
- Go for slide shoes or flip flops. Let your feet breathe and your tan set evenly.
Just in Case ☔
Be weather-ready to protect your perfect tan! Bring an umbrella and a hooded coat if there’s rain in the forecast. Rain + fresh tan = blotches. BONUS: Our Edina location has fully covered parking—no need to worry there!
The goGLOW Undergarment Policy 👙
At goGLOW, our policy is crafted for your comfort and the best spray tanning results.
- Women: Go without, or wear dark-colored, disposable thongs, or swim bottoms.
- Men: Required to wear underwear or swimwear in dark colors.
This protects against color transfer and ensures a seamless tan across your body image.
Sunless Tanning Aftercare Instructions and Tips to Maximize Your Glow 🌟
Getting a spray tan and that perfect glow needs care even after you leave the salon. To keep your tan lasting and looking vibrant, follow these simple tips. While you don’t have to worry much about staining your bed sheets, car seats, or other pieces of clothing thanks to the properties of DHA in sunless tanning, you still have to keep that glow on you as much as possible, and that requires you to follow a few instructions and tips.
Shower Timing
Follow your tanning technician’s advice based on your formula:
- Rapid tans: Rinse after 2–4 hours.
- Traditional tans: Wait up to 24 hours.
Avoid hot showers early on and especially on the first shower; opt for lukewarm water instead.
Water Temperature
No hot showers! Use cool to lukewarm water and skip soap for the first rinse unless directed.
Pat Drying
Pat—don’t rub! Rubbing can cause uneven color and ruin your bronzy glow.
Extending Your Glow with Moisturizers
After rinsing, start applying a light layer of moisturizer twice daily to keep your skin hydrated and your tan long-lasting. Use light, oil-free moisturizers. We recommend goGLOW’s HYDRATE and EXTEND—two skincare products designed for optimal skin hydration and tan longevity.
DIY Touch-Ups
Between sessions, use goGLOW’s TOUCH UP spray to revive high-fade zones like the face, hands, and décolleté. It’s your go-to for that sun-kissed glow at home.
What to Avoid: Pools, Sweating, Tight Clothing
- Pools and Hot Baths: Chlorine strips your tan—skip the dip for 48 hours.
- Tight Clothing: Keep avoiding those skinny jeans or tight tops even the day after your session. Use comfortable clothing and say no to tight waistbands, clingy clothing, or anything restrictive that can create uneven color development. Also, continue to use darker colors for a day or two.
- Scrubs and Harsh Soaps: Avoid these for at least a few days. Gentle body wash only.
Bonus Tip 🛍️
If you forget to bring the correct clothing, don’t worry—we carry comfy clothes and other aftercare essentials at each of our locations. Because at goGLOW, your class client experience is always our top priority.
xx, the goGLOW Girls
Here’s to an enjoyable experience and a beautiful, sun-kissed glow! Happy tanning! 🌞
