Competition and photo shoot Spray tan. Pre-tan and post-tan information.

You have done all the hard work and you are ready to show it off on-stage, or in that amazing photo shoot you booked.

As a competitor myself, I know what hard work you have put into your training and cut, and I take great pride in making sure you are going to feel your best on stage. 

But, before we get there, it is important your skin prep is as on point as your physique. The success of your spray tan is as much skin prep as the skill of your spray tan artist. Even more so since you are leaning down and by the time you get to your tan, you may be a bit dehydrated and ad not getting the same nutrition as before in order to make your gains pop. Let's go over your skin care prep to make sure your tan will look it's best on stage, or in your photos.


Starting at least a month before your competition

• Gently exfoliate once or twice a week with particular attention to any dry or troubled areas of skin . We recommend avoiding dove body wash or anything that causes a film to build up on the skin. We retail our own line of spray tan, and hair removal safe body wash in our shop, as well as an easy to use, effective exfoliating mitt. Aveeno, and Cetiphil are other brands or body wash we have noticed do not tend to prevent the spray tan from absorbing and drying on the skin. 
• If you have any skin conditions such as Tinea Versicolor, a medicated body wash similar to selsun blue medicated is a good idea to help reduce the appearance under your tan.  
•  Moisturize daily. We recommend "Hempz" brand, available in our online store, in studio, and many other salons and spray tan studios. Aveeno is a reasonable alternative if you cannot find it. 
• Avoid using deodorant or anti-perspirants. These products can leave a green hue when combinded with the bronzers in your spray tan. 

Avoid a sun burn before your event. We always recommend wearing sunscreen to protect your skin.

In order to make this post informative for all competitors, not just ones we are tanning, We are going to break this down assuming you are entering a Saturday show. If your event is a different day, adjust the days according to the appropriate end date. 

You likely need to be tanned the day before, and the day of the show.  Most shows have an expectation of how the competitors will look under the stage lights in general, a dark tan provides the best result. A spray the day of the show also ensure you look perfect when your number is called. 

Starting the Monday on the week of your competition, (peek week) through Thursday.

• Exfoliate your skin gently every day. Particularly your knees, ankles, back of heels, and elbows. If you have any skin conditions such as Tinea Versicolor, a medicated body wash similar to selsun blue medicated is a good idea to help reduce the appearance under your tan.  
• Moisturize your skin at least once every day. We recommend Hempz brand, (sold in our shop and at many salons) as well as Aveeno.
• Any area the judges see need to be hair free.  Please make sure your hair removal is done at least 24 hours before your tan time. If you shave, do not use a razor that has a moisture strip. If you sugar, or wax, booking your appointment on the Tuesday or Wednesday will keep you hair free through your competition. Please do not use Nair for your hair removal before competition. It may leave a rash and will not look complementary on stage.

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Assuming you are being tanned Friday... (It is best if you can complete these at least 4 hours prior to your tan time.)

• Friday morning gently exfoliate and rinse off throughly with cool water.
• ​If you are washing your hair on this day, wash and condition your hair first, before washing your body.
• Do not wear lotions, perfumes, or deodorant on the day of your tan.

(if you are being tanned Saturday, please follow the Friday instructions Saturday)

What to bring for your spray tan. 

• After your tan, you will need to wear loose fitting along pants and sleeves. Do not put a bra or tight fitting anything on after you are tanned.
• Wear sandals after your tan. Do not put on socks. 
• If you are sleeping in your tan, we recommend using older, dark coloured sheets. You will need to wear long sleeved loose fitting clothing to bed. 

Our recommendations if you are in a hotel room:
​Competition spray tan can stain surfaces. Hotels can and will charge a fee for any items in a room you may damage with your tan. The following is a list of things you can do to prevent damage in your room, but remember it is up to you to ensure you treat the property you are stying at with respect. your tanner is not responsible for any staining that may occur.

• Bring your own bed sheets and pillow cases from home and make the bed in them over top of the hotels sheets. (you can sometimes also request the hotel uses older sheets that they will not charge you for staining.)
• Bring your own hand towel, bath towel and wash cloth. If you choose to rinse off your tan the night before/morning of your second tan, to before you leave the hotel, you will not want to use the hotel's linens. 
• Bring your own shower curtain to protect the property's shower curtain. (lets face it they are always white).
• Consider wrapping the toilet seat in cling wrap or using a seat cover. Yes, this may sound crazy, but the seats may stain.  

As always, feel free to direct any questions to me here in the comments, or to [email protected]. 
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Looking for a competition spray tan artist? Information is available on my website under "spray tanning".  Information is  available for both regular spray tans and competition tanning. 

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