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Lots of people get spray tans so they feel confident showing a little more skin, but did you know you’re actually supposed to cover up right after your salon session? Billowy long sleeves and comfy sweats are the name of the game for the first 8 hours or so until your spray tan fully sets. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the best items to wear after your appointment to keep your tan in tip-top shape, plus give you some outfit ideas in case you can’t go straight home afterward. If you’re ready to get tan and comfy, read on!

Things You Should Know

  • Wear dark-colored, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves to protect your fresh tan. Choose clothes made from breathable materials like cotton.
  • Try garments like flowy skirts or maxi dresses, long-sleeve tees with loose or open necklines, and soft pants with elastic or drawstring waistbands.
  • Go braless or wear a dark strapless bra or bandeau. Wear flip-flops or loose slippers instead of boots, sneakers, or strappy sandals.
1

Wear what makes you comfortable during the tan.

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  1. If you want underwear, wear something minimal (like a thong) to prevent patches. Wear a black or dark bra or underwear in case some of the tan gets on your undergarments. The tan will wash out easier from dark fabric. [1]
    • Wear a hairnet or shower cap to protect your hair, but keep your ears out (even though it might feel silly).
    • Most salons provide disposable thongs you can wear and throw out at home and sticky pads to put on your feet so you don’t get blotches on the bottom of your feet.
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2

Put on loose, cotton clothing with long sleeves afterward.

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  1. Your tan needs some air to settle into spots like your underarms or cleavage, so opt for flowy, comfortable garments that don’t hug your body. Go for cotton fabrics, too—the bronzer in the tan doesn’t stain cotton, so you can easily wash the tan out if it rubs on your clothes. [2]
    • Think loose sweatpants, cotton t-shirts, or flowy A-line dresses. The fewer seams there are to dig into your skin, the better.
    • Avoid tight clothing, like jeans or leggings, that you have to pull or rub over your skin to get on.
    • Go for long sleeves to protect your new tan from the sun while it’s still setting in (and to keep the tan from rubbing off on your car seat, couch, or bedding).
5

Put on flip-flops or loose slippers.

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