Walking into a spray tan studio for the first time can feel a bit daunting. You might be wondering what actually happens inside that booth, whether the colour will look natural, or if there’s some secret preparation ritual you don’t know about. Automated spray tanning has come a long way — modern booths are faster, more private, and far more consistent than the manual spray tans of ten years ago.
This guide covers what to do before your session, what happens during the appointment, and how to make your tan last as long as possible.
What is automated spray tanning?
An automated spray tan uses an open booth equipped with spray nozzles that deliver a fine mist of DHA-based tanning solution across your body. DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a colourless sugar derived from plant sources like sugar beets or sugar cane. When it contacts the amino acids in the outermost layer of your skin, it triggers a reaction that produces a temporary brown colour. This is the same ingredient used in self-tanning lotions, but the booth applies it evenly and quickly.
The difference between automated and manual spray tans is consistency. A trained technician applying a manual tan relies on their skill and technique, which can vary. An automated booth like the VersaSpa Pro uses height sensors, calibrated nozzles, and timed spray patterns to deliver the same coverage every time. For first-timers, this removes a lot of the uncertainty.
Before your appointment
How you prepare in the 24 hours before your spray tan makes a significant difference to the final result.
Exfoliate the day before. Use a gentle body scrub or exfoliating mitt to remove dead skin cells, particularly around elbows, knees, ankles, and wrists. These areas tend to absorb more solution and can end up darker if there’s buildup. Avoid oil-based scrubs; the residue can create a barrier that prevents the solution from absorbing evenly.
Shave or wax beforehand. If you shave, do it at least 12 hours before your appointment to let your pores close. Freshly shaved skin can absorb the solution unevenly, leading to small dark spots around hair follicles. If you wax, allow 24 to 48 hours.
Skip moisturisers, deodorants, and perfumes. On the day of your tan, arrive with clean, dry, product-free skin. Lotions and deodorants contain oils and silicones that repel the tanning solution. Even natural oils from skincare products can affect how the colour develops.
What to wear. Loose, dark clothing is ideal for after your session. Tight waistbands, bra straps, or anything that rubs can shift the solution before it sets. Some people prefer to go braless and wear a flowy dress or loose shorts and a t-shirt.
What happens during an automated spray tan session
When you arrive at the studio, your smartphone acts as your Bluetooth digital key to unlock the front door. At a 24/7 automated studio, you have complete privacy throughout the process. There’s no technician in the room with you.
Inside your private treatment room, you’ll step into a doorless spray booth and follow audio voice prompts that guide you through each position: face the front, turn right, turn left, face the back. The entire spray cycle, including dry passes in between, takes about 4 minutes. The solution feels cool and has a light mist texture. It’s not uncomfortable, just unfamiliar the first time.
Most booths offer multiple shade options, with a choice of caramel and violet undertones to suit a wide range of skin types. All solutions are customisable to 4 shades (light, medium, dark, double dark) and results range from a subtle all-over glow to a more dramatic colour for special events.
After the spray cycle finishes, you can step out of the booth and get dressed while the booth completes its automatic washdown cycle, ready for the next client.
How the colour develops
The bronzer in the solution gives you an immediate colour, but this is cosmetic and will wash off in your first shower. The real tan, the DHA reaction, develops over 8 to 24 hours.
Most people see their final colour around the 12 to 18 hour mark. This is why studios recommend avoiding water, sweating, and tight clothing for at least 8 hours after your session. The longer you leave the solution on before showering, the deeper the colour will develop.
When you do shower, use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing. You’ll notice some colour washing off; this is normal. It’s the bronzer leaving, not your tan.
Aftercare: making your tan last
A well-maintained spray tan can last 7 to 10 days before it starts to fade noticeably. Here’s how to extend its life:
Moisturise daily. Hydrated skin holds colour longer. Use a water-based, fragrance-free moisturiser morning and night. Avoid anything with retinol, glycolic acid, or other exfoliating ingredients.
Pat dry after showers. Rubbing with a towel accelerates skin cell turnover. Gentle patting preserves the tan.
Avoid chlorine and saltwater. Both strip the tan faster. If you’re swimming, rinse off immediately afterward and reapply moisturiser.
Skip long baths. Extended soaking softens the skin and speeds up fading.
Is spray tanning safe?
DHA has been approved for external cosmetic use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia and equivalent bodies internationally since the 1970s. It works only on the dead outer layer of skin, known as the stratum corneum, and does not penetrate into living tissue.
The main safety consideration is avoiding inhalation and eye contact. Automated booths are designed with this in mind. The VersaSpa Pro uses a controlled mist pattern and allows you to hold your breath during face sprays.
For those who are pregnant, most dermatologists consider DHA safe for external use, though you should always consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns.
Why choose automated over manual?
Both have their place. Manual spray tans allow a technician to customise contouring and target specific areas. Automated booths offer speed, privacy, consistency, and availability. A 24/7 studio means you can tan at 6am before work or at 10pm after the gym, with no need to book around someone else’s schedule, and the result is the same every time.
For first-timers especially, the automated option removes the awkwardness of standing in your underwear while someone sprays you. You’re in control of the process from start to finish.
Before you go
Your first spray tan doesn’t need to be complicated. Exfoliate the day before, arrive with clean skin, follow the booth prompts, and give yourself at least 8 hours before showering. The worst-case scenario is a slightly uneven patch you’ll know to prevent next time. The best case is a natural-looking glow that lasts over a week without any UV exposure. Either way, you’ll walk out knowing exactly what to expect for your next session.