How To Get The Best Spray Tanning Results

After spray tanning people from Texas to California, these are my tips on how to get the best spray tan possible.

•  Prepare yourself. The morning of your appointment, use a nonoily scrub to exfoliate your skin, particularly the knees and elbows (which tend to absorb more tanner and turn dark), as well as the neck, chest, shins, and face (where the skin is thinner and streaks show up). Coat any scabs or recent scars with Vaseline, and if you use Retin-A (or an over-the-counter retinoid) or take Accutane, talk to your doctor about going off it one week before your appointment. These can affect how the active ingredient, DHA, is absorbed, which can lead to a splotchy tan.

•  Dress for the occasion. This is not the moment for your nice lingerie or cute, tight fitting clothing. Wear a thong that you don't mind ruining (most tanners wash out, but better safe than sorry) or none at all. •  Go it alone, or don't. Spray-tan booths tend to be less expensive than an application by a technician, but the color won't be as even, and you might not catch any mistakes. If you're using a booth, put a light layer of lotion on the soles of your feet, between your toes and fingers, and on your palms, knees, and elbows; this will ensure a smoother tan. After the tanner has been sprayed on, look for drips or pools and gently blot them—never wipe. To avoid tanning the soles of your feet, stand on a towel in the booth, and when you step out, wipe your feet on another towel.

If your being sprayed by a technician, they will be sure to apply lotion to areas of your body that are known to be dry, which will help the tan look as natural as possible. They will pay great attention to other areas of your body, like your finger nails, knuckles, ankles and feet to make sure all the solution is blended in to look natural, just like a real tan.

•  Look sharp. Even if a technician sprays on the tanner, it's still a good idea to check her work and make sure there are no splotches. Once your skin is totally dry, which takes at least 10 minutes, put on loose, dark clothing, and skip the bra for the next one to eight hours—if you can.

•  Make it last. It's best not to let your skin get wet for one to eight hours (depending if you get a rapid spray tan or the original). Don't exfoliate for at least a week, shave your legs as infrequently as possible, and moisturize from head to toe after you shower. Using your hands to wash your body is always best. Moisturize like crazy with a non-scented lotion.