spray tan prep & aftercare
A great spray tan is about more than the 15 minutes in the studio. What you do the day before and in the days after decides how even your colour looks and how long it lasts. This is the guide we give every client at tanz, our organic spray tan studio and café inside Catted Family in Pipera, north Bucharest. Follow it and your tan generally lasts 5–7 days.
New to spray tans? Start with everything about our spray tans, then come back here before your appointment.
why prep and aftercare make the difference
Our That'So solutions use DHA, which reacts with the outer layer of your skin and turns it a natural-looking bronze over the next few hours. Two things follow from that.
First, the solution needs clean, smooth skin to work on. Dry patches, old self-tan, lotion or deodorant sit between your skin and the solution and can make the colour uneven.
Second, the colour fades as that outer layer renews itself. Rubbing, scrubbing and very hot water speed that up, and moisturising every day slows it down. Good prep gives you an even start, and good aftercare makes it last.
your spray tan timeline at a glance
about 24 hours before
exfoliate and remove any old self-tan
12–24 hours before
shave or wax
before you arrive
clean, dry skin with no lotion, oil, deodorant, perfume or makeup; loose, dark clothes
at the studio
a short consultation and your tan, 15–20 minutes in total
the first 4 hours (up to 8 for the deepest colour)
keep dry, no exercise, sweating or makeup, loose clothes
your first shower
water only, no shower gel or soap, no rubbing, pat dry, then moisturise
the next 5–7 days
moisturise every day, no very hot showers or heavy exfoliation
around day 7
exfoliate what's left before your next tan
before your tan: how to prepare
Here's the checklist, with the reason behind each step:
Exfoliate about 24 hours before.
Focus on elbows, knees, ankles, hands and feet, where the skin is drier and picks up more colour.
No time to exfoliate? We can do it for you at the studio before your tan.
Remove any old self-tan.
Leftover colour under a fresh tan looks patchy.
Shave or wax 12–24 hours before.
That gives your skin time to settle before the tan.
Book waxing, manicures and pedicures before your tan, not after.
Doing them afterwards can take the colour off in those areas.
Arrive with clean, dry skin.
No lotion, oil, deodorant, perfume or makeup, so nothing sits between your skin and the solution.
Wear loose, dark clothing.
Tight clothes can rub the fresh tan, and dark fabric doesn't mind a little colour while the tan develops.
at the studio
Every tan starts with a short consultation about your skin tone, the occasion and the result you want. We pick your shade, cappuccino (8%) for a soft, sun-kissed glow or espresso (10%) for a deep, bronzed tan, and tell you exactly when to rinse. The whole visit takes 15–20 minutes. You'll find all the shades and prices on our spray tan page.
the first hours: while your tan develops
Your colour keeps developing after you leave. Until your rinse time:
Keep your skin dry.
No exercise or sweating.
No makeup.
No swimming, sauna, steam room or hot tub.
Wear loose clothing and avoid anything tight.
Wait at least 4 hours before you shower. For the deepest colour, let it develop for up to 8 hours. We'll tell you the right time for your tan at the consultation. On a hot summer day in Bucharest, plan your session for a time when you can stay cool afterwards.
your first shower
Rinse with water only, no shower gel or soap.
Don't rub or scrub your skin.
Pat dry with a towel.
Moisturise straight after.
making your tan last
Moisturise your body and face every day. Well-hydrated skin holds the colour longer.
Avoid oil-based creams, which can make your tan fade faster.
Avoid very hot showers.
Skip heavy exfoliation while the tan lasts.
With this routine your tan generally lasts 5–7 days and then fades naturally as your skin renews. Around day 7, exfoliate to remove what's left.
before your next tan
Exfoliate what's left of your old tan before your next appointment, so the new colour goes onto fresh, even skin. If you like to keep a glow all year, a subscription makes that easy: the 1-month subscription (500 lei) includes 3 full tans plus touch-ups, and the full season covers 3 months of unlimited tans for 2,550 lei.
body care from the studio
At the studio we stock Sope Care body care: the Sope Care x tanz exfoliating mitt, Sope Care exfoliation products and Sope Care body creams. Ask us at your appointment which ones suit your prep and aftercare.
prior care
01 — Shave & exfoliate
Shave and gently exfoliate your skin before your appointment using our exfoliating mitt.
If you don’t get a chance to exfoliate beforehand, we can do it for you before your tan.
02 — Skip the moisturiser
Avoid applying moisturiser, oils or body lotions before your session. Clean, product-free skin helps your tan develop evenly.
03 — Dress comfortably
We recommend wearing loose, baggy clothing to your Tanz appointment to avoid rubbing or transferring the solution.
04 — As your tan fades
As your tan naturally fades, use our exfoliating mitt to gently remove any excess and help your skin fade evenly.
after care
01 — Give it time
Wait a minimum of 4 hours before showering, exercising or applying makeup. For the deepest result, allow your tan to develop for up to 8 hours.
Just let the tanz kick in.
02 — Your first shower
Rinse your skin with water only for your first shower. Avoid shower gel, soap or scrubbing.
03 — Keep your skin hydrated
Moisturise your body and face every day with a hydrating cream to keep your tan looking smooth and even.
Avoid oil-based creams, as they can make your tan fade faster.
04 — Exfoliate as it fades
Once your tan starts to fade, use our exfoliating mitt to gently remove any excess and keep your skin smooth and hydrated before your next Tanz.
prep & aftercare faq
What is an organic spray tan?
An organic spray tan is a tan applied with a DHA-based solution that reacts with the outer layer of your skin and gives it a natural-looking bronze. It involves no UV rays, so your skin isn't exposed to the sun or a sunbed.
How long does a session take?
About 15–20 minutes, consultation included. Then wait at least 4 hours before your first shower, or up to 8 for the deepest colour.
How long does the tan last?
Generally 5–7 days, with the right prep and aftercare. Around day 7, exfoliate what's left.
How much does an organic spray tan cost at tanz?
A body tan costs 129 lei and a body + face tan 189 lei. We also have the clear tan, special-occasion packages and subscriptions.
How do I prepare?
Exfoliate about 24 hours before, especially your elbows, knees, ankles, hands and feet, or let us do it at the studio. Shave or wax 12–24 hours before and remove any old self-tan. Come with clean, dry skin, without lotion, oil, deodorant, perfume or makeup, in loose, preferably dark clothes.
What do I do after my tan?
Keep your skin dry for at least 4 hours and avoid exercise, makeup, the pool, the sauna and tight clothes. For your first shower use water only, no shower gel or soap, don't rub your skin, and pat dry. Then moisturise every day, avoiding oil-based creams, so your tan lasts longer.
Is an organic spray tan UV-free?
Yes. An organic spray tan uses no UV rays, so your skin isn't exposed to the sun or a sunbed. The That'So solutions we use are vegan and cruelty-free.
How do I book?
The body tan and the body + face tan are booked online on our site. For other services, groups or gift cards, book at the studio or through the contact form.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes, we have organic spray tan gift cards from 189 lei. Ask at the studio or through the contact form on our site.
Do you have a café too?
Yes, tanz is also a café: come for a coffee, a smoothie or a juice, with or without a tan booking. The hours are the same: Mon–Fri 8:30–18:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–18:00.
ready for your tan?
Book a body tan or a body + face tan online. For anything else, from the clear tan to groups and gift cards, book at the studio or send us a message through the contact form. You'll find us inside Catted Family in Pipera.
