Your first spray tan

Nervous about your first spray tan? Read this first.

Almost everyone is a little unsure the first time. Here is exactly what happens, what to wear, and the one thing we want you to know before you walk in.

“Remember that this is a judgement free zone. We see naked bodies every day in the studio and we’re only looking at your skin as a canvas. No body shaming yourself or apologizing for stretch marks, unshaved body parts, cellulite, unpainted nails, or anything else that is normal.”

That is the studio’s actual position, not a marketing line. The appointment is private, one-on-one, and there is no audience. Your artist is looking at undertone and coverage, the same way a painter looks at a surface. Nothing else registers.

What actually happens

What should I wear?

Whatever you are comfortable in. In the studio’s own words, clients over 18 “may undress as much or as little as they are comfortable with.” Some wear a swimsuit, some a bra and underwear, some just a thong, and some prefer no tan lines at all and go fully nude. The most popular choice is a thong, mostly because people like seeing the contrast afterwards.

Will I look orange?

No. The studio has never had a client come back saying they looked orange. Orange is what happens when one solution is sprayed on every skin type regardless of undertone, which is exactly what a one-size-fits-all booth does. Studio Rhema carries a range of brands, bronzer colours and tan depths so the mix can be matched to you, and every solution is tested in-studio before it is ever offered to a client.

If you want the longer version of that argument, it is on the hand-applied versus booth page.

Can it look subtle rather than obvious?

Yes, and plenty of clients ask for exactly that. A spray tan does not have to read as a spray tan. If what you want is the look of a weekend at the cottage rather than a deep bronze, say so at the consultation and the mix is adjusted down. Subtle is a real option, not a consolation prize.

Is it safe?

The active ingredient in every sunless tanning product is DHA, which reacts with amino acids in the top layer of dead skin cells and changes their colour. It sits on the surface. As those cells shed naturally, the tan fades with them, which is why exfoliating beforehand matters so much.

The studio’s solutions are free of harsh chemicals, paraben-free, vegan, gluten-free and nut-free, and it regularly tans clients for maternity shoots and baby showers. Every pregnancy is different though, so check with your doctor before booking if you are pregnant.

One thing worth knowing: a spray tan does not change how your skin reacts to the sun. If you normally burn, you still will. Wear SPF. And if you have a fresh burn or recent sun damage, that is not the week to book.

Before you book

Read the prep and aftercare guide. It is short, and it is the difference between a good result and a great one: exfoliate and shower the night before, skip lotion on the day, and plan when your other appointments land relative to the tan.