faq
the 411 on how to get your most long lasting glow
Read our tips and tricks to getting the most natural and long-lasting glow. No patches or streaks, pinky promise! Be sure to follow this guide BEFORE and AFTER you come in for your appointment.
Prep & Aftercare
DAY BEFORE: Shower shave and exfoliate the day before your appointment. For best results we recommend using an exfoliating mitt and water. Avoid oily scrubs and creamy body washes. Waxing should be done at least 24+ before a spray tan.
DAY OF: Come to the appointment with fresh, clean and dry skin. Refrain from using body moisturizers the day of.
AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT: You will need to stay dry for 10-12 hours after your tan (3 hrs minimum for the express tan). Wear or bring loose fitting dark colored clothes to wear post tan. Do not wear tight clothes ie, leggings, bras, socks, etc.
The attire for women is whatever they are comfortable with. The cosmetic bronzers are water-soluble and should wash out, but the DHA in the tanning formula may permanently stain fabrics. Disposable undergarments are provided.
The attire for men is boxers, briefs, swim trunks or shorts. Your Glow Lounge airbrush technician will always use the utmost discretion.
We recommend wearing dark, loose fitting clothing. We do not recommend wearing tight or strappy clothing, leggings, or tight socks immediately following your session. Avoid touching your tan while it develops so you don't end up with cheeto hands.
If you will be sleeping before your first rinse, wear loose fitting, long sleeve and long pant pajamas. This helps prevent skin on skin transferring, keeping your palms off your tanned skin. Plus it helps reduce how much cosmetic bronzer gets on your sheets.
If you are a hot sleeper we recommend the express option so you can shower before bed.
Our biggest recommendation for long-lasting results is using spray tan safe products on your face, body and hair. That means avoiding anything with Mineral Oil, Petroleum, Petrolatum and Sulfates as these ingredients will strip and dry out the tan leaving you with patchy and short-lived results.
Treat your skin gently. Pat dry after the shower. Cleanse and moisturize daily with spray tan safe products and avoid products that aren't spray tan safe.
We offer a variety of organic products in our studios along with our signature Gingerly line, that help maintain your results. You can have the most gorgeous glow applied, but using damaging products that are not made for spray tans you will not be happy with the results.
Wait at least 10-12 hours (3+ hours with our express glow) before showering, bathing or sweating. It is not recommended to participate in any activities that may cause you to perspire excessively before your first shower.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you cut an apple and let it sit out, it turns brown. The same concept applies to airbrush tanning. The active ingredient in our tanning solution is derived from eco-certified organic sugar-beets that react with the amino acids in your skin's outermost layer to create the gorgeous tan that you desire.
If you've ever had a conventional spray tan you know how cold and uncomfortable it can be. That is not how we do things at The Glow Lounge!
The aloe enriched skin-soothing solution is applied with a gentle flow of warm air. By infusing heat directly into the tanning spray, there's no dripping or streaking, and definitely no goosebumps. The tan is also dried as it's applied, making for a quick and comfortable appointment.
We strongly believe that spray tanning is not meant to be a "one-size-fits-all" service. That's why we always custom blend the tanning solution for each client based on their skin tone and desired result. We also keep track of tanning formulas, so you don't have to remember if you're a "light" or a "medium" Wait really!? Yes, really. We got you.
We recommend coming in 2-3 days before your event or wedding and 1-2 days before vacations. When booking, plan to stay dry for 10-12 hours after your appointment (3+ hours with the accelerated option). This means no workouts, chores, showers, hair or nail appointments should follow your tanning appointment.
If maintained properly, your glow can last 7-10 days.
Use spray tan safe products. That means avoiding anything with Mineral Oil, Petroleum, Petrolatum and Sulfates as these ingredients will strip and dry out the tan leaving you with patchy and short-lived results.
Treat your skin gently. Pat dry after each shower. Cleanse and moisturize daily with spray tan safe products.
No waxing. This will peel the tan right off your skin. When shaving, use a fresh razor and use a light touch.
Don’t exfoliate until the tan has mostly faded away.
Definitely. We aim to provide a healthy tan for any occasion. Consider this essential to looking and feeling the best in your own skin. Our tan holds up well to sun and sea. Because of the drying effect it has on the skin, overexposure to highly chlorinated water such as pools or hot tubs, for extended periods, is not recommended. After the pool, rinse off, reapply your Sunscreen (we love Supergoop!) and enjoy your glow!
Please note. Spray tans offer no protection from the sun, so always wear your SPF!
Congrats! You’re in good hands. We’ve tanned hundreds of brides and bridesmaids over the years.
For a bridal tan, timing is everything.
First, scheduling a trial tan helps you achieve the perfect shade and desired look for your wedding day, allowing you to confidently walk down the aisle with a flawless, natural glow. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing exactly how your tan will develop and complement your overall bridal style. Pro tip, schedule your trial tan 2 days before your makeup trial.
Second, prepping your skin for your tan is so important. Don’t skip this step! Check out the rest of the Prep and FAQ for all the details.
Lastly, your spray tan should be the last beauty service you do before your big day. We put together a Bridal Beauty Timeline to help you, check it out on the Bridal page.
Unlike UV tanning, there is no age restriction on sunless tanning.
We do not recommend sunless tanning on sun-burned skin. While our solution does contain aloe, it's best to apply pure aloe vera gel to your skin and let it heal completely before receiving an airbrush tan.
We have sprayed men and women of all ages, skin tones, and skin types. If you're curious if a spray tan is right for you, please contact us!
Yes, a spray tan is generally considered safe during pregnancy because the active ingredient, DHA, only reacts with the outermost layer of your skin and doesn’t penetrate deeper.
However, as a precaution, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before getting a spray tan.
If you have or have recently had a sunburn you should not get a spray tan until your skin has healed.
If your skin peels while you have a spray tan you will have patchy, uneven results. These results are not caused by the application or color formula used.
Glow memberships are offered in various session amounts and renews monthly. Learn more about our memberships here.
Yes, like most service providers we often see gratuity around 20% and our airbrush technicians truly appreciate when you tip! Of course tipping is always based on your discretion and gratuity is not included in the service price.
Share details about your shipping policies, item returns, or customer service.
Certain ingredients will strip the skin and dry out the tan leaving you with patchy and short-lived results.
Spray tan friendly products don't contain the following ingredients:
- Sulfates
- Mineral Oil
- Petroleum
- Petrolatum
- Paraffin
- Fragrance
- Coconut Oil
- Some Essential Oils
It is also recommended to avoid Physical exfoliants (scrubs, microbeads, loofahs, tree hut scrubs) and Chemical exfoliants (alpha/beta hydroxy acids like glycolic or salicylic acid) Retinols and Retinoids before and after your spray tan.
Brands like Dove, Palmer's, Cetaphil, Olay, Aveeno, Lush, and many more contain ingredients that are not spray tan friendly.