Ideally, choose an SPF 30 for a good balance of protection and sun exposure. Wear a lip balm with at least SPF 15. You don’t need your lips to be tan, and getting a sunburn on your lips is downright painful. Put on sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you lay out to give it time to soak in. [2] X Expert Source Margareth Pierre-Louis, MDBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.

Make sure to change the position of your arms and legs frequently to avoid awkward tan lines.

You can get tan in the shade, but it may take longer. To target areas on your body even more, use a tanning reflector (basically a shiny piece of fabric) to point the sun at specific parts of your body.

If you can’t strip down all the way, consider wearing a strapless top or bathing suit. This will help you avoid pesky tan lines while getting an all-over glow.

The sun is always more intense when it reflects off the water. Be very careful about how long you lay out here to avoid burning.

Giving yourself a day in between tanning sessions will also let your skin recover and repair itself.

You can safely exfoliate about once a week. Any more than that, and you might irritate your skin.

Carrots Sweet potatoes Kale Tomatoes Guava Watermelon

You can safely exfoliate about once a week.

Throw the gloves away after use and use a new pair each time you apply. Make sure to rub some lotion or oil into your hands after you finish applying it to the rest of your body. You want them to be the same color of the rest of your body, just not darker.

Move your hand in a circular motion when applying self-tanner to avoid a streaky appearance. Take it slow. Don’t rush to put on self-tanner, or odds are you will end up with blotchy areas or you’ll miss areas altogether. Take the time to rub it in completely. Don’t forget those areas that are normally hidden from public view, including your armpits.

Try to stay inside for the next 6 to 8 hours as the self-tanner develops. Rain and sweat can streak the self-tanner as it soaks into your skin. [16] X Expert Source Barbie RitzmanBeauty & Skincare Specialist Expert Interview. 23 August 2021. Self-tanning lotions contain the compound dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to add pigment to the skin. [17] X Expert Source R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPHBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 19 February 2021. Remember to always apply SPF when you go outside, even if you’ve used self-tanner. Self-tanner is a pigment, but it doesn’t protect your skin from the sun.

If you have any body hair, consider trimming it short before your spray tan. Spray tan gets everywhere (and we mean everywhere), so it may stick to those hairs that you haven’t shaved.

When you go in, talk with your consultant about how dark you’d like to be. That will help determine how many layers of spray tan you need.