At SOL SPA, the World’s First 24 Hour Day Spa, you can get a spray tan any time of the day or night. Whether there’s a Spa Consultant staffed during your visit, or you come outside of staffed hours, we want to ensure you get the perfect tan!

If you’ve ever gotten a spray tan before, you were probably walked through how to prepare and exfoliate before your visit as well as assisted in picking out the right color and showed how to stand and work the booth. What you may not have been coached on is what to wear after you get your golden glow.

Once you hop out of the booth and are getting dressed to leave, you should wear oversized, loose, dark-colored clothes for more reasons than one. The looser fabric will reduce sweating, which is important as excess sweating can cause your tan to become streaky and patchy. But the best part is that loose or oversized clothes don’t pull on the skin, which significantly helps minimize streaks and blotches.

So, how long do you need to wear loose-fitting, dark clothes? I recommend waiting until after your first shower before jumping into jeans or tights. Whether I’m getting sprayed late at night right before going home to bed or spraying first thing in the morning before a busy day, my go-to post-tanning outfit is a loose, flowy, maxi type dress in black.

Now that we’ve got the basics down, here are some other tips to complete your look while still doing the best by your tan.

Go for Dark Items
While most cotton blends resist tan stains, it’s still better to stick to dark clothing items. Navy blue, black, and dark browns are all solid color options to mask any accidental spray tan stains and just to be safe you can have designated spray tan attire.

Ditch the Shorts
You also want to consider how much skin the clothing protects. For instance, shorts will expose your thighs when you sit down, which might take away from a smooth tan. Instead, consider a knee-length flowy dress or ankle/floor-length skirt to air your feet nicely without creating too much friction with the fabric. Sweatpants paired with a long sleeve cotton top are also a comfy and suitable pairing for the colder times of year. Just make sure that the waistband isn’t too tight as it may rub against the skin and cause patches.

Avoid Tight-Fitting Undergarments
Some people prefer to ditch bras after the tanning session. That’s because the elastic bands can rub off the tan and create awkward spotting. You can also choose to go with a comfortable sports bra, instead. Just make sure to pick an old one that you don’t mind ruining a little bit.

Swap Socks and Shoes for Flip Flops
Socks and boots are generally a bad idea right after your spray tan. Any sandals or heels with straps all over the leg are also a big no-no. On the other hand, flip-flops can minimize friction and reduce your chances of getting weird tan lines on your feet that can easily give away a fake tan!

As a plus, they’re also easy to carry with you to the spa and won’t take a lot of space in your purse or bag.

Don’t Accessorize Too Much
It can be tempting to put on some accessories to break the monotony of a simple flowy cotton outfit. However, any chains, bands, or even rings can mess up your tan. You also don’t want to stain the wristband of any valuable watch! If you want to carry a statement piece, make it an umbrella to protect your fresh tan if it rains.

Leave Your Perfume at Home
We get that you might not be a huge fan of the scent of sunless spray, and you’ll probably want to douse yourself in your favorite perfume. The issue here is that most perfumes, mists, and even deodorants have alcohol compounds that can streak and blotch the tan. So, lay your hands off any scenting product till your first shower. Instead, we have aromas that will be mixed into the solution to add an aromatic experience to your spray session, leaving your skin with a light and refreshing fragrance. There are many to choose from, so we can guarantee you’ll find the right one for you!

Put on Your Clothes Gently
If you still need to put on something that’s a little tight, try your best not to rub it a lot against your skin. When you can’t avoid them, be as gentle as possible!

Figuring out what to wear after a spray tan can be challenging, but the key is simplicity. It’s better to keep things basic and comfortable. You’ll get plenty of chances to rock some outfits and show off your tan after the spray settles in. But for now, dark and loose-fitting cotton items are your safest bet!

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Written By: Paige Stuart, VP of Spa Operations