Prep like a
pro.

Please avoid any spray tans or self-tanners at least 14 days prior to your appointment, as this can lead to an uneven colour or result.

Also be mindful of tan lines. Tan lines from sunbaking can range from subtle to obvious, and while spray tanning can minimise them, some may still be visible depending on the style of your bikini or trunks. It's best to minimise or avoid sunbaking altogether prior to your competition.

Recommended products for your skincare routine from here on:

• Cleansing: Sukin Botanical Body Wash, or Sukin Skin Relief Body Wash if you have sensitive skin.
• Exfoliating: Sukin Body Scrub (any type).
• Moisturising: Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion, or Sukin Sensitive Soothing Body Lotion if you have sensitive skin.

Please avoid commercially available body washes, shower gels, exfoliating scrubs or moisturisers such as Nivea, Dove, Garnier etc. If you're unsure about a product, please check with us first.

For 7 consecutive days prior to your spray tan: shower, cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise using the recommended products above.

For best results:

• Exfoliate your entire body with exfoliating gloves and scrub, paying particular attention to drier areas — knees, elbows, feet/ankles, around the belly button, back of shoulders (especially between your shoulder blades) and in between your chest.
• The exfoliating motion should not be a harsh scrub — a gentle rub in these areas is enough. Scrubbing too hard can cause a rash or redness.
• Moisturise while your skin is still moist after showering.

On the day of your base tan appointment: do not exfoliate, and do not moisturise.

Waxing should be done 3–5 days prior to your spray tan. Shaving should be done 12–24 hours prior to your first tanning appointment.

Any sooner than these times may leave your pores open, collecting tan and resulting in a "spotty" look. (For males — shaving your face the day prior to tanning is fine.)

Every individual's skin is different. You don't need to wax or shave your entire body — if you regularly wax or shave certain areas, continue to do so for those same areas.

Never waxed before? Please don't start waxing in preparation for your competition tan. New waxers have a high chance of skin irritation or a waxing rash that can compromise your tan. Please continue to shave instead.

Please do not apply any moisturiser, deodorant, perfume or make-up on the same day as your spray tan appointment — these create a barrier that affects absorption and can turn your spray tan green.

If you use 48-hour antiperspirants/deodorants, stop using these two days prior to your first spray tan session, as any residue can discolour your tan.

Feeling sweaty or worried about odour? Use alcohol-free baby wipes, available from Chemist Warehouse, My Chemist, Priceline etc.

Males: fingernails and toenails may become discoloured from overspray, and it can take weeks or even months to disappear. We highly recommend painting a clear nail varnish on your fingernails and toenails prior to your first spray tan session — nail polish remover will easily remove it after your comp.

Manicures & pedicures: book these before your tanning appointment. Same day is fine, as long as it's before your first tanning appointment. If that's not possible, make sure no water touches your hands, feet or legs afterwards.

Females: if you're painting your nails white (including French nails), overspray from the tan can sometimes change the colour of your varnish — even after a protective barrier cream. It doesn't happen with every white polish and we can't predict which brands are affected, so just something to be mindful of.

Laser/IPL: schedule appointments approximately two weeks prior to, or two weeks after, your competition tans.

Magnesium, zinc & medication: taking magnesium (including magnesium spray) or zinc prior to your spray tan appointments can, for some people, affect your body's pH levels and result in a "green tinge". Other supplements and medications can cause hormonal changes that may also affect the outcome of your tan. We can't advise on whether or when you should pause these, as not everyone is affected — just something to be mindful of.

Please wash your hair the day before your first spray tan appointment. If you need to wash your hair in between spray tan appointments, do this separately — over a sink/basin, or at a hair salon that can wash it for you without wetting your body.

Do not swim, get wet, exercise or do any activity that causes you to sweat once tanned. Excessive sweating can stop the spray tan developing in that area. Walking and practising your posing is fine, as long as you're not sweating.

Photoshoots: many competitors schedule shoots around their comp — we strongly suggest booking these after your competition instead. Your tan needs time to develop, and tight clothing or pumping up before a shoot can compromise the result before you've even stepped on stage.

If possible, shower no less than 3 hours prior to your appointment to remove dead skin, dirt, sweat, make-up, perfume, deodorant or moisturiser — otherwise these create a barrier and the solution won't absorb properly.

Do not exfoliate on the same day as your appointment. Do not apply any moisturiser, deodorant, perfume or make-up on the same day, either — these affect absorption and can turn your tan green.

Avoid showering in hot water less than 3 hours before your base tan — hot showers can temporarily alter your skin's pH balance, which may affect how the tan develops. Lukewarm water is fine.

Females: it's recommended you're sprayed naked to avoid any tan lines.

Males: you'll need to wear a sock — please bring your own, especially if you're competing in a Body Building division. Men's Physique competitors are able to be tanned in underwear, a g-string or a sock.

Keep wearing the clothing you arrived in. Do not apply perfume, moisturiser or deodorant.

No exercise that causes sweating. Avoid baths, spas and swimming — this can interrupt the tan's development and cause streaks or patchiness.

Avoid any water or liquid contact on the skin — this removes the bronzer and can leave the final result uneven or smudged. Be careful going to the toilet or doing dishes. If you do get liquid on your skin, don't panic — gently dab it dry with cotton wool or a tissue.

If you need to wash your hair between appointments, do it over a sink/basin — not in the shower.

Avoid shaving or waxing after your tan application, as this removes the top layer of skin (and the tan with it). If shaving is absolutely necessary, use a new razor — shaving can still cause a patchy look.

Wear the same clothing or The Donzie you wore to bed to the venue, or freshly laundered clothing per the post-tan requirements (no tight clothing, no shoes). You'll change into your trunks/bikini/costume at the venue. Wear thongs or slides.

Ladies: once you've changed into your bikini, we recommend a silk/satin robe over anything else, to protect your tan and final glaze/sheen from rubbing off.

Avoid any water/liquid contact on the skin — it stops the tanning process immediately.

Once our team is at the venue, we may not be able to respond to calls or messages — we'll be available in person, adjacent to our Tan Out of Tan banner backstage.

Division running times can change right up until comp day — it's your responsibility to check with your federation and backstage staff for the most up-to-date times.

Arrive to see us backstage at least 2 hours prior to your first division, so we have ample time to tan you and for it to dry if necessary.

It's your responsibility to come find us for touch ups or additional tan application — we don't have the capacity to come and find you, so please come see our team backstage.

Follow Tan Out of Tan on Instagram to stay up to date with competition information and changes — it's the only way we communicate announcements or updates.