Should You Use a Pre-Tan Prep Spray Before a Spray Tanning Session?

Let's settle a common debate in the sunless tanning world: Do you need to use a prep spray before every spray tan?

As a cosmetic chemist and someone who has worked with spray tan artists for decades, prep spray has a clear place in professional spray tanning. Let's walk through why.

Why Pre-Tan Prep Spray Matters for Professionals

A well-formulated prep spray does more than just 'clean' the skin. It provides essential benefits that help ensure your spray tan results are even, smooth, and long-lasting.

Here's what it does:

✅ Creates a clean skin surface: Removes oils, lotions, deodorant, makeup, and other residues that interfere with solution adherence.

✅ Reduces beading: Helps prevent tanning solutions from pooling or streaking on the skin during application.

✅ Promotes an even tan reaction: Prepares the skin to receive the DHA reaction more uniformly, improving the final color outcome.

✅ Optimizes skin for product adherence: Especially helpful for clients with oily skin types or those who didn't prep thoroughly at home.

Important Reminder: Prep spray does not replace manual exfoliation. Clients should still exfoliate 12 to 24 hr before their appointment to ensure dead skin cells aren't lingering—this is key to an even fade and long-lasting results.

"If My Client Has Already Exfoliated, Do I Still Need Prep Spray?"

That's a great question, and it comes up frequently.

If your client arrives freshly exfoliated, with no lotion, makeup, or deodorant on, you may skip the prep spray. However, if they've exfoliated the day before but went to work, wore makeup, sunscreen, or deodorant, always go ahead with the prep spray. It's your safeguard to ensure the skin surface is free from anything that could interfere with your solution.

Does Prep Spray "Balance pH"?

Another common question. Truthfully, no topical product can balance the skin's natural pH in the long term. What a good prep spray does is create a temporary buffer, helping the skin transition more smoothly to the pH of your DHA solution.

DHA solutions typically have a pH range of 3.0 to 4.5. Human skin naturally has a pH level of 5.5-6. Prep sprays help minimize any skin disruption when applying a tanning solution. They prep the skin to accept the solution rather than resist it.

What About Using Lemon Water or DIY Alternatives?

Please, no!

Lemon juice mixed with water isn't just ineffective—it can irritate the skin and cause increased photosensitivity. Using this type of mixture before sunless tanning can create unpredictable results, skin sensitivity, and even lead to damage if clients are exposed to the sun afterward.

Stick to professional products designed for skin compatibility. A well-formulated prep spray will not contain harsh ingredients like SD alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, which can be overly drying and lead to uneven tan results.

What About Micellar Water or Exfoliating Wipes?

These are sometimes marketed as alternatives, but they aren't truly comparable.

Micellar Water:

• Designed to lift away surface dirt and makeup, yes.
• Not formulated to break down oils and silicones effectively, which can block DHA adherence.
• Leaves behind a residue that can cause patchiness.

Exfoliating Wipes:

• May offer light exfoliation but often contain emollients that leave a film behind.
• Not thorough enough to replace a true prep spray.

Bottom line: Both are suitable for daily skincare, but not ideal for professional pre-tan preparation. Prep sprays are specifically formulated to cleanse and prime skin for the DHA reaction without leaving anything behind.

How to Use Prep Spray Correctly

➡ Before tanning: Lightly mist the body using a spray bottle, HVLP gun, or damp washcloth.

➡ Allow skin to dry thoroughly before applying your tanning solution.

➡ Avoid spraying directly on the face if the client is sensitive—use a damp cloth instead.

Safety Reminder: For external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Keep out of reach of children.

AYU Smooth Glow Pre-Tan Prep Spray

At AYU Sunless, we formulated Smooth Glow Pre-Tan Prep Spray to gently but effectively cleanse the skin surface without harsh acids or stripping agents. It's soap-free, glycolic acid-free, and safe for even sensitive skin types.

Key Benefits:

• Gently exfoliates and cleanses the skin.
• Removes oils, makeup, lotions, and deodorants.
• Helps prevent solution beading and streaking.
• Supports optimal adherence for smooth, even tanning results.
• No need to turn away clients who arrive wearing lotion or deodorant.

Explore Smooth Glow Pre-Tan Prep Spray on our website: www.ayusunless.com