Spray Tan Basics & Science
11 min read
Your first spray tan: what to expect, step by step
Your first spray tan takes about 30 minutes: consultation, custom blend, pH prep, hand-airbrushed color, finishing powder. Here is exactly what to expect.
Sunkiss Guides
Spray tan guides, straight from the chair
Prep, timing, aftercare, and the honest version of what a custom airbrush tan can and cannot do — the same answers we give clients in the Falls Church studio, written down so you have them before you book.
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Aftercare & The First 24 Hours
10 min read
Spray Tan Aftercare: The Complete Day-by-Day Routine
Spray tan aftercare in order: stay dry until your rinse window, shower lukewarm and soap-free, then moisturize twice daily. Hour one through day ten.
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Longevity, Fading & Maintenance
12 min read
How to Make a Spray Tan Last Longer (8 Things That Work)
To make a spray tan last longer: moisturize twice daily, shower short and lukewarm, pat dry, and skip exfoliants, chlorine and retinol. The full plan, ranked.
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Solutions, Tech & Service Types
10 min read
Spray tan booth vs airbrush: which is better
Spray tan booth vs airbrush: a booth sprays one pre-mixed solution from fixed nozzles; an airbrush tan is blended for your skin and applied by hand.
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Prep: Before Your Appointment
10 min read
What to wear to a spray tan (and after)
What to wear to a spray tan: loose, dark, breathable clothes and sandals, not sneakers. Skip tight leggings, bra bands and socks. The full timeline.
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Water, Sweat & Active Lifestyle
12 min read
Does chlorine ruin a spray tan? Pools, salt water, hot tubs
Chlorine does not ruin a spray tan, it fades it faster. How pools, salt water, hot tubs and sweat affect DHA color, and how to protect your glow.
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Troubleshooting & Fixes
12 min read
Why Do Spray Tans Turn Orange (and How to Prevent It)
Spray tans turn orange when the DHA is too strong for your skin or the solution base fights your undertone. Here is the science, and how to prevent it.
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Health & Safety
11 min read
Spray tan while pregnant: what's known, what to ask your OB
A spray tan while pregnant is considered low-risk because DHA colors only dead skin, but it has never been formally studied in pregnancy. Ask your OB first.
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Longevity, Fading & Maintenance
12 min read
How long does a spray tan last? (And what shortens it)
How long does a spray tan last? 7 to 10 days with good aftercare. Here is what controls the clock, what quietly costs you days, and how to slow the fade.
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Aftercare & The First 24 Hours
10 min read
How Long After a Spray Tan Can You Shower? Rapid vs. Standard
How long after a spray tan can you shower? 8 to 12 hours for a standard custom blend, 2 to 4 for a rapid formula. Exact timing, by solution type.
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Prep: Before Your Appointment
12 min read
How to prepare for a spray tan (48-hour prep checklist)
How to prepare for a spray tan: exfoliate and shave 24 hours out, finish waxing 48 hours out, and arrive with clean, bare skin. Here is the full checklist.
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Cost, Booking & Logistics
12 min read
How much does a spray tan cost? (DC and Northern Virginia)
How much does a spray tan cost? About $30 at an automated booth and $65 to $180 for custom airbrush work in the DC metro, depending on the tier.
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Weddings & Events
12 min read
Spray tan before a wedding: the exact timeline
A spray tan before a wedding goes two days out, with a trial three to four weeks ahead. The full bridal timeline, prep window, and dress-safe rules.
New guides publish every few days.
Reading is good. Glowing is better.
Every Sunkiss Studios session starts with a consultation and a formula hand-blended for your skin — so the answer to your question gets tailored to you, in person, in Falls Church.