So, you have never had a spray tan before and may be scared of turning an unfortunate shade of orange or waking up with brown palms and feet or a streaky, patchy tan? Read on for everything you will need to have a positive first spray tanning experience and achieve a gorgeous, natural-looking tan.

Not sure how a spray tan can turn pasty white skin into an all-over bronzed, glowing tan?

It's all down to an ingredient in spray tanning solution called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which reacts with the amino acids (keratin protein) in the skin, producing a brown colour which looks like a suntan.

I have been told to exfoliate before I get a spray tan - do I really need to and will it make that much of a difference?

Yes yes and yes! A spray tan only absorbs into the top layer of the skin so if you don't exfoliate to remove the top layer of old skin, your spray tan will wear off faster and therefore, look patchy and uneven as it wears off. By priming your skin by exfoliating, your tan will last longer and look more natural. As explained in our tanning tips, for best results use an exfoliating glove or mitt or loofah and an exfoliating cream or gel and let your skin dry completely before having your spray tan applied.

Do I have to be naked when I am spray tanned?

No, not if you don't want to. As explained in our tanning tips section, you can wear as little as you want or as much as you want BUT remember the less you wear the better the results and the more natural it will look! Be aware that any items of clothing you wear will result in tanning lines. Most girls go topless and some go naked so your tanner will not be fazed by you whipping your top off. She has seen it all before...and many times over!

If you don't feel comfortable going topless though ensure you wear an old bra or swimmers that you won't mind being covered in tanning solution. Wearing dark colours is advisable so marks won't be as visible - although most of the solution will come off, depending on the fabric etc it might end up staining so don't wear anything special.  Also, in terms of bottoms, again, wear dark undies or make use of the disposable g-strings that some salons and mobile tanners supply.

Can I shave or wax before spray tanning?

In short, not right before your appointment - aim for at least eight to ten hours in between otherwise the bronzer will seep into your hair follicles, resulting in dotty legs. For more advice about this see our tanning tips.

Is it ok for me to apply moisturiser before tanning?

No, moisturiser, deodorant or even perfume can sit on the skin and act as a barrier to the tanning solution, preventing it from absorbing and therefore stopping you developing a beautiful tan.

What if it does go wrong and I hate it - can I get it off?

While you won't be able to completely reverse the tan and scrub it all off in one shower you can fade the tan quickly by swimming in chlorinated water or using a body scrub and exfoliating mitt or glove. Try soaking in a hot bath with bath salts and periodically exfoliating. Don't expect it to disappear though!

If you aren't used to spray tanning, you might be shocked at the colour or worry about it looking to light/dark. Honestly, 98% of the time, girls take a shower, let the tan settle and allow themselves to get used to the colour and end up loving it. Don't stress yourself out while the colour is developing - most tanning solutions will generally look a lot darker while developing due to the bronzer. Just wait until you shower and moisturise and give it a day or so and you'll most likely love the results!

If you really have had a tragic experience though and are desperate to remove it try tan removing products which can be found in our Tanning Products section of the site.

What will happen if I go out in the sun straight after my spray tan?

Nothing drastic! But you will streak your tan if you get hot and sweaty so wait at least 30 minutes and ensure you are completely dry to be safe.

Further, there is a myth that spray tanning will protect you from sunburn. As the solution has no SPF in it it will not stop you from getting burnt so you will still need to wear a sunscreen.

Why do all spray tan solutions smell? I can smell it on myself the next day and feel like others can smell it too!

That weird sugary, metallic smell is actually the DHA reacting with your skin, so it's unfortunately an unavoidable part of spray tanning however some tanning solutions are scented with coconut and vanilla or similar which mask the scent a little. Avoid these scented solutions if you do have sensitive skin though.

Don't worry, you won't smell like tanning solution for the entire time your tan lasts as generally you will only notice the smell the day after your tan and honestly, it will probably be only you that notices it.

When you wash off the tanning solution, it helps to lightly and quickly rub over your skin with your hands to wash away any left over solution that might cling to your skin. This assists to reduce the any scent that it might leave behind.

See our tanning tips for more helpful info to help ensure you get the best results you can.