Absolutely Everything You Need to Know Before You Get a Spray Tan

Whether it’s the height of summer or the depths of winter, there’s one thing about me that remains constant—my pale complexion. Yes, as a very fair-skinned beauty editor who is passionate about sunscreen application, my limbs have very little chance to accrue even the slightest hint of bronze. For the most part, though, I’m happy to embrace my pastiness (I’ve had enough fake tan mishaps for it to not warrant the effort) but there’s no denying that summer’s arrival always has me craving a little extra glow. But if you’re not exactly skilled in the self-tan department like me, then what other options are there for safely achieving sun-kissed skin? Enter: the spray tan.

Perfect for special occasions or big events, so many people I know swear by spray tans for the fact that they’re fast, expertly-applied, and can be personalised to your skin tone and tastes. However, I know that for a lot of people (myself included) the idea of stripping off in front of a stranger is less than appealing. So, I wanted to find out exactly what a spray tan involves, how long it lasts, and what the pros and cons are.

Ahead, I caught up with James Harknett, Three Warriors Global Creative Artist, andSophie Evans, St. Tropez's celebrity tanning artist, who between them have tanned the likes of Daisy Edgar Jones, Ashley Graham and Bella Hadid, to get their ultimate spray tan tips.

What Is a Spray Tan?

Typically, there are two methods of spray tan—one is done in a booth via a machine and the other is done by a tan technician or therapist using a special spray gun. Whichever you opt for, both spray tans contain something called dihydroxyacetone (or DHA) which is a sugar molecule and tanning agent that interacts with the amino acids in your skin and causes the surface level to temporarily deepen in colour.

The most popular choice, and the one that will give a more personalised finish, is the spray gun. And if you’re opting for this then most appointments will start with a consultation with your tanning artist. “You should use this time to explain what type of look you’re after, in terms of depth, what self-tans you have used before and if you liked the end result, and when you want to shower off the solution,” explains Evans. “This information is so important so that we can choose the right solution for your skin type and lifestyle.”

How Does a Spray Tan Work?

Once the tanning artist has decided on the best formulation for you, it’s time to get started. You’ll be asked to tie up your hair, remove any jewellery, and there will be disposable underwear provided if you wish to use it. Your therapist will then apply a moisturiser or barrier cream to any areas that can be trickier to tan. “The elbows, knees, hands, feet and any severe dry areas to prevent the tan darkening in those areas,” explains Evans. You’ll then step into the tanning booth, if you’re in a salon, or a pop-up tanning tent to get started.

“The tanning solution that is right for you will then be airbrushed on in multiple light layers,” says Evans. “We normally spray the whole of the front first, then the whole of the back, then the sides, and repeat the whole process. We’ll then spray feet and hands with the face last.” If you have any tan lines to conceal or want some contouring, a darker tanning solution is then sprayed on using a smaller and more precise airbrush. The total time taken? Around 5 minutes—it’s that fast.