There’s a lot of advice floating around about spray tanning. Some of it is solid. Some of it is the reason your glow is gone in four days. We’ve compiled a list of the things to avoid to improve your spray tanning experience.

Myth #1

Any moisturizer works before a spray tan.

This one is so common it’s almost become accepted wisdom, and it’s probably the single biggest reason tans don’t develop the way they should.

Spray tan solution works through a chemical reaction between its active ingredient (DHA) and the amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin. That reaction needs direct contact with your skin’s surface. Research published in PMC confirms that user preparation, specifically what’s on the skin before application, is one of the primary drivers of uneven results.

Many store-bought moisturizers contain oils, silicones, and heavy fragrances that sit on top of the skin rather than absorbing into it. They create a physical barrier. The DHA can’t get through consistently, which causes those uneven patches that look like the tan “missed” certain areas.

What your skin actually needs:
A lightweight, water-based moisturizer applied the day before your appointment. Not the morning of. Something that hydrates without leaving residue. Your OBB technician can point you to options that won’t interfere with your results.

The right prep doesn’t just help your tan develop. It helps it fade evenly, which is what makes it look natural longer.

Myth #2

The more you exfoliate beforehand, the better your tan will be.

Exfoliating before a spray tan is good advice. The myth is in the “more is better” part.
Your skin has a protective outer layer, the stratum corneum, made up of tightly packed cells held together by ceramides and fatty acids. It keeps moisture in and irritants out. It’s also the layer that DHA reacts with to create your color. When that layer is healthy, your tan develops evenly and fades naturally. When it’s been over-stripped, the results are unpredictable.

According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Donna Hart, over-exfoliation damages the skin barrier and leads to irritation, dryness, and uneven absorption — exactly what you’re trying to avoid before a tan. A 2024 survey by the International Dermal Institute found that 68% of U.S. dermatologists had treated patients in the past year for barrier damage linked directly to at-home exfoliation habits, many driven by social media trends.

Scrubbing aggressively the night before your appointment doesn’t give your skin a better canvas. It gives you a compromised one.

What your skin actually needs:
Gentle exfoliation 24–48 hours before your appointment. Nothing harsh or abrasive. The goal is removing the loose, dead cells on the surface. Your skin barrier should be intact when you walk in.

Myth #3

Spray tans are bad for your skin.

This one keeps a lot of people in the sun longer than they should be.

The active ingredient in spray tan solution is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a simple sugar derived from plant sources like beet, corn, or rapeseed. It works entirely on the surface of the skin, reacting with amino acids in the outermost layer to create color. It does not penetrate deeper layers of healthy skin and does not involve UV exposure of any kind.

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that DHA in spray tan products does not pose a health risk at standard concentrations. The FDA recognizes DHA as safe for external use on the skin.

UV tanning damages DNA in skin cells and is directly linked to premature aging and increased skin cancer risk. A professional spray tan using a clean, all-natural formula isn’t just the safer option. For many people, it’s the better one for their skin.

What this means for you:
At OBB, every formula we use is all-natural, paraben-free, and free from harsh chemicals. You get color without compromise. Your skin health doesn’t have to take a back seat to your glow.

Myth #4

If your old tan looks faded, you’re ready for a new one.

This explains a lot of disappointing second appointments.

DHA reacts with the amino acids in your skin to create color. Over time, those skin cells shed naturally and the tan fades with them. But fading visually and fading completely are two different things. Even when a tan looks gone, residue from the previous application can remain on the skin’s surface — invisible, but present enough to interfere with how the next tan develops.

That leftover layer creates an uneven base. Some areas absorb the new application normally. Others, where buildup is heavier, develop darker or with a different tone. The result looks less like an uneven tan and more like an uneven skin tone — which is harder to trace back to the actual cause.

What your skin actually needs:
A proper reset before your next appointment. Gentle exfoliation, clean skin free from product buildup, and ideally a conversation with your technician about timing. Most clients get the best results when they give their skin a clean slate — not just a visual one.

Your results start before you walk in the door.

The solution, the technique, the expertise of your technician; all of it matters. None of it can fully compensate for skin that wasn’t ready.

When your skin is properly prepped, the tan develops more evenly, lasts longer, and fades in a way that looks like it’s part of you. If you’re not sure which products work for your skin or what your prep routine should look like, ask your OBB technician at your next appointment. Five minutes of conversation makes a measurable difference in what you walk out with.