Spray Tan Frequently Asked Questions

Glamour Girl stands apart with certified airbrush technicians and industry-leading tanning solutions that deliver a streak-free, orange-free, natural-looking tan. You can achieve a flawless golden glow, a beautiful bronzed, deep dark brown...and everything in between.

A spray tan lasts an average of 7 to 10 days. The longevity of your tan varies based on your skin type, level of fitness, daily activity, and how well you maintain your spray. Like a suntan, a sunless tan fades gradually as your skin cells shed. To help maintain your tan, apply lotion twice daily. Want a long-lasting glow? Regularly scheduled follow-up tans will get you there.

Yes, spray tans are safe. Sunless tanning is a proven method for obtaining a tan. The active ingredient, DHA, is derived from sugar beets and is FDA-approved for sunless tanning. As with any personal product, sensitivity can occur, but it is very rare.

A full-body spray tan at Glamour Girl takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, with the actual airbrush application lasting just 10 minutes. This includes your consultation, custom color mixing, tan application, and time to dress.

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Yes, spray tans look natural as long as the color is customized to your specific skin tone. We always customize the tan color to the individual client to ensure a natural-looking tan every time. Something out of a bottle may not look as natural.

Yes — a spray tan can highlight and accentuate your body the same way that contouring your face with makeup can help accentuate your facial features. If you're looking to achieve a more sculpted look, we can include contouring as part of your airbrush tan customization.

No, an airbrush spray tan does not protect you from the sun. It is recommended that you use sunscreen when out in the sun.

Spray tans can turn you orange if the DHA level is too high. Rest assured the solutions we use won't let that happen to your Glamour Girl tan.

Bronze is better. It allows your tanning specialist to see where they apply the tan to ensure an even application.

We recommend getting a spray tan every two weeks for the best results. How frequently you choose to tan is a personal preference, and we have clients who come in both more and less frequently.

An airbrush session takes about 20 minutes total, with the actual tan application lasting approximately 10 minutes. You'll be put into your service room and given time to undress down to your comfort level. When you're ready, we'll come back into the room, mix your customized color, and get started. Once we're done, we'll step out of the room and give you a few minutes to dry and get dressed, and then you'll be on your way.

Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt (think loose joggers, not leggings), and flip flops to your spray tan appointment. Keeping your skin covered protects your tan and ensures there is no skin-to-skin contact that could alter the color and evenness of the tan. For this reason, we do not recommend sun dresses or shorts. Additionally, flip flops allow your feet to breathe because tight shoes can lead to the color getting really light or really dark. Plan to take your shoes off as soon as you can and let them be free for the rest of the day. Check out our blog on What To Wear During And After Your Spray Tan Appointment for full details.

As for the appointment itself, our female clients are allowed to wear (or not wear) whatever they want - this is up to your discretion and comfort level. If you choose to wear a bathing suit or undergarments, just remember that where they sit on your skin will become your tan lines, so choose wisely and take into account any upcoming vacations or events requiring specific attire. We recommend dark-colored garments for anything that you do choose to wear.

Our male clients are required to wear undergarments. Disposable undergarments will not be provided, so please come prepared or you will be asked to reschedule your appointment.

Stay within 2-3 shades of your natural skin tone for the most natural-looking spray tan. It's also helpful to consider how your skin naturally takes color from the sun. Do you burn? Do you adopt an olive hue? If you share this information with your tanning specialist, this will help them customize the most natural-looking color for you.

Get your spray tan 2-3 days before the start of your wedding festivities, including your rehearsal dinner or any other pre-wedding events. It's better to be too far from the wedding than too close. If you're not sure when to schedule, we recommend erring on the safe side or calling us for advice. Check out our blog for the Top 5 Tips For Getting a Spray Tan For Your Wedding

If you forget to shave before a spray tan, it's not the end of the world. Shaving after a tan WILL remove some color but if you wait 48 hours after the tan, you'll remove less color. Avoid shaving within the first 24 hours after your tan and definitely don't "panic shave" right before you come in. Waiting 48 hours after your tan is the best route to take. Industry secret: Shaving with a new razor and using hair conditioner as your shaving cream will also help preserve the color.

Why? Check out "Can You Exfoliate Right Before a Spray Tan?" below and read the analogy about eyebrow waxing. Same thing with shaving.

No, we don't recommend showering right before a spray tan. Your skin won't accept the color as well, and you're more likely to get an uneven tan. If you forgot to shower the night before, don't worry about it. You'll achieve better results if you wait to shower until 8 hours after your tan (or overnight).

No — do not exfoliate right before a spray tan. Your skin won't be able to hold the color.

Ever get your brows waxed and then try to put makeup on, only to discover it doesn't stick? It's the same concept here. When your skin is so fresh post-exfoliation, it won't be able to hold on to the tan.

Carefully — try to avoid contact with the tanned skin. If you do accidentally pee on your tan, don't worry about it - it happens to the best of us. It should wash off in your first post-tan shower. Circular motions in that area (during your first shower) will help to soften any lines created from pee-related mishaps.

Wait until your first post-tan shower to wash your face, and pare down your skincare routine afterward. If you want to do a mask or peel, do it the night before your tan. Products intended to remove acne, even texture, or brighten the skin will likely remove your tan, too.

It's normal for your hands and face to fade more quickly because you wash those areas more frequently. A touch-up spray like our Sunless Tanning Mist can help extend the life of your tan on your hands and face.

Yes, you can sit after spray tanning! You just want to be sure there's a piece of clothing between you and any sticky surfaces - including your skin. That's why we recommend wearing long pants and a long shirt until your first shower.

You can wear whatever you're comfortable with — most people go topless with underwear. Keep in mind that whatever you wear for your tan will create your tan lines and that the solution will penetrate any clothing you choose to wear during your tan.

Yes, swimming will ruin your spray tan. Chlorine and saltwater both break down the spray tan formula quicker than normal. If you choose to go swimming, you may notice a rapid fade of your spray tan.

Yes, some color transfer onto your sheets is possible after a spray tan. We recommend sleeping covered in dark-colored clothing for this reason. If you find that the solution has transferred to your sheets, NBD. Throw 'em in the wash, and it should come right out. Ditto if any transfers to your clothes.

Lemon juice, exfoliating gloves/scrubs, or a hot bath with Epsom salts will remove a spray tan. Want our hottest secret? Dove bar soap is actually incredible for removing your tan. Check out our blog on How To Remove Your Spray Tan

You can apply a new spray tan over an old one, but it's always best to start with your natural skin as a base. This is key for achieving an even tan.

How to fix a patchy spray tan depends on when in the life of the tan you're experiencing issues. You can always call us for tailored advice, but here are some general rules:

• Right after the tan: Circular motion during your first post-tan shower will blend out 90% of issues, but it has to be the first shower.
• For a fading tan: The best approach is to remove the spray tan.
• SOS patchiness: If you don't have time to remove the tan, throw a little cosmetic bronzer on to help blend the patchy area.

Yes! There is street parking on State or Delaware or there is public parking available in our building garage (1 E. Delaware - the parking entrance is behind the building on Chestnut). We recommend SpotHero for the best pricing and details on how to enter the garage can be found there. If this is your first time visiting us, please give yourself extra time to navigate the area and find a parking spot so that you still arrive at our suite with a minute or 2 to spare before your appointment time. If you are more than 5 minutes late to your scheduled appointment time, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to take you and will potentially need to rebook you for a future date.

We, unfortunately, do not but SpotHero or street parking is usually very reasonably priced.

Our short appointment windows (20 minutes) don't allow for much wiggle room on super busy days. While we will always do our best to accommodate you if you're running a few minutes behind, we cannot guarantee that we will always be able to do so. If you are more than 5 minutes late to your scheduled appointment time, there is a chance that we will need to rebook you for a future date. We will always do our best to make it happen but appreciate your understanding if we cannot accommodate a late arrival.

Unfortunately, we cannot tan anyone with an allergy to nuts or berries due to the extracts in our solutions.

If you cancel your appointment within 6 hours of your scheduled appointment time, you will be charged 50% of the service price. If you are a no-call/no-show for your scheduled appointment, you will be charged 100% of the service price.