Frequently Asked Questions

If you are attending a wedding, party, or other special event or leaving for vacation, you should be spray tanned approximately 48 hours before the actual event. For weddings, we HIGHLY recommend a trial run at least two weeks before any big event to ensure you are happy with the outcome, you don’t have any sort of adverse reaction and to help you select the perfect date for your session. This allows time for the tan to fully activate and settle as well as allow time for at least two showers to remove bronzers that may be left on the skin so as not to stain your garment for the event.

Much like a fingerprint, each person’s skin is unique. Many factors influence the length of time a tan may last. Given the science of how a spray tan works, which is on the top layer of skin only, ALL sunless tans (no matter what anyone else may try to falsely sell you) typically last an average of 7 days. For maximum staying power, and to replace color as the skin exfoliates, we recommend you purchase a tan extending product we sell. To maintain your tan year-round, inquire about our array of monthly custom spray tanning memberships.

For our standard solution, we recommend at least 8 hours prior to showering. If you choose a rapid tan, you can shower in as little as 1-4 hours depending upon your skin tone, skin type and desired outcome. Your artist will consult with you to determine the best solution option.

Yes! A spray tan is only a cosmetic tan and contains no SPF protection. To protect your skin and sunless tan, we recommend using an oil-free sunscreen.

A spray tan at Shades Atelier is extremely safe. Sunless tanning works only on the outer layer of the skin, using a colorless sugar referred to as DHA (fancy science – dihydroxyacetone). DHA reacts with the amino acids and oxygen found in the skin to transform the top layer into a golden bronze color. DHA has been approved by the FDA for use in the cosmetic and sunless tanning industry for years. In an enhanced effort to ensure the safest environment, Shades Atelier utilizes state-of-the-art spray equipment eliminating most overspray or what some refer to as the “cloud” they have experienced in other spray booths. If needed, we can provide you a full list of ingredients and we always recommend you speak to your doctor if you have specific questions regarding health and safety.

The fact is, there have not been any studies done on the inhalation of the spray and pregnant women. Therefore, we always recommend that women check with their doctor before making an appointment. You can rest assured, though, that our tanning rooms are well ventilated and designed to eliminate most overspray hanging in the air. We also offer nose filters and/or a mask to wear while you are sprayed, therefore preventing any inhalation as much as possible. Please let us know if you are pregnant or would like to use any protective gear.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable during your service. For some that means they wear nothing at all, while others prefer to wear a swimsuit, underwear or other garment. Know that we have seen it all, and that we are looking at your body for spray patterns, not ever analyzing or judging it. We are clients of Shades too, so we treat you with the respect we would want in what could be perceived as a vulnerable position.

Many female clients chose to wear only a small pair of panties to minimize tan lines.

Male clients MUST wear a dark color swimsuit, shorts or full coverage briefs.

We suggest wearing dark colors, as the initial cosmetic bronzer may rub off onto clothing; however, it will easily wash out of most clothing (with the exception of nylon, spandex and silk).

At your appointment, wear loose fitting clothing that does not rub on skin or fit tight to the body. Please wear flip flops or similar shoes to minimize rubbing on the feet after your tan application.

Great question! I’m glad you asked! Here’s what you should do to achieve the best tan possible:

• Shave and exfoliate 24 hours prior to your tan (or as close to this as possible). Do not shave or exfoliate immediately before your tan. The spray tan solution reacts with amino acids on your skin, and if you exfoliate or shave immediately before your session, there are no amino acids for it to work with.
• Do not have lotion or oily residue on your skin the day of your tan.  Remove makeup and deodorants prior to your tan.
• Make sure to get manicures, pedicures, or spa treatments 24 hours prior to your appointment, and arrive for your tan without any oily residue or lotion on your skin.
• Bring your swimsuit, underwear, or other garments to wear during your session. We also offer disposable items in the salon for your convenience. Females can wear as much or as little as they’d like, but we do require our male customers to wear full coverage bottoms.
• Be sure to bring loose fitting clothing and flip-flops to wear after your session. Tight clothing can rub off the bronzer and create streaking.
• DO NOT GET WET for at least 8 hours after your appointment. You must not sweat, shower, get rained on, or swim.  If you get wet, it can halt the DHA development process and cause streaking. We recommend not showering for 10-12 hours for best results.
• Unless we spray you with one of our clear formulas, you will notice “brown” running down the drain during your first shower.  This is normal…it is the cosmetic “instant bronze” color washing away as it is designed to do, leaving you with a beautiful bronze glow underneath!
• While you have a spray tan, it is very important that you use a sulfate-free soap or body wash. This means Dove, Safeguard, and most anything you’d buy at the grocery store are off limits – they’ll strip your tan! Our pH balancing cleanser is sulfate free if you’d like to purchase it.
• Be sure to MOISTURIZE after your first shower & beyond! The more, the better!  The key to a beautiful, long lasting tan is super-moist skin.   We carry a great selection of tan extending moisturizers and can recommend a product specifically for your skin type. A good moisturizer will deliver water to the skin very effectively and keep it in the skin for as long as possible. If you don’t moisturize your skin after being spray tanned, your skin will dry out and exfoliate quickly removing your tan. Your tan will also come to appear more patchy.

The active ingredient in spray tan solution is DHA (dihydroxyacetone).
When sprayed on the skin, DHA reacts with the proteins in the skin’s superficial layer to form a golden-brown color. Your skin begins to darken 2-3 hours after application and reaches its peak color around 24 hours. The color will gradually fade through natural exfoliation, just like a tan from the sun.

We ask that you please reschedule at least 24 hours before the beginning of your appointment or you will be charged a cancellation fee of 50% of the price of your scheduled appointment. Please note that cancellations or reschedules within 24 hours of your appointment time cannot be completed online. Cancellations or reschedules within this timeframe can only be done via text or by speaking to a technician at 979-595-4173. We do not accept cancellations via email.

All tans, tanning packages and tanning memberships are non-refundable. If there is an issue with a tan, please contact us within 24 hours after your appointment for a one-time complimentary respray. A spray tan is 50% our application and 50% your preparation and aftercare. We guarantee a perfect spray when our instructions are followed.