Every question, answered properly.

What should I wear during the spray tan?

Females over the age of 18 may undress as much or as little as they are comfortable with. Some clients wear a swimsuit or bra and undies, some wear just a thong, and others who prefer no tan lines will go fully nude. The most popular option is wearing just a thong as most clients like to see the contrast of the "before and after"! Do not wear jewelry — please remove it before you arrive.

Whatever you choose, remember that this is a judgement free zone! We see naked bodies every day in the studio and we're only looking at your skin as a canvas. No body shaming yourself or apologizing for stretch marks, unshaved body parts, cellulite, unpainted nails, or anything else that is normal.

Males and anyone under 18 must wear bottoms; females under 18 must wear top and bottoms.

Please wear dark, loose, baggy clothing to your appointment. Full length pants and long sleeve shirt/sweaters are best to minimize skin-to-skin rubbing after the tan.

When is the best day to book a spray tan for a special event?

Anytime between 1–3 days prior to the event is good timing, however 2 days prior is the best. For example: if your wedding is on Saturday, book the tan on Thursday. Be sure to review our Prep & Aftercare guide to see when your other appointments should be booked around your tan (nails, lashes, waxing, etc).

Will I be standing in a spray tan booth?

Not at all — this is one of the biggest misconceptions about our studio! An actual person (your spray tan artist) will tan you by hand using a compressed airbrush gun and a customized solution mixed just for you. This allows us to manually contour the unique shape of your body, blend the hands and feet naturally, and fully customize the result. Think of it like getting your car detailed versus driving through a car wash!

Will I turn orange?

No — we ran out of that colour yesterday... just kidding! In years of spray tanning, we have never had a client complain that they are orange. We invest in only the highest grade of spray tan solutions on the market and test all solutions on ourselves before offering them to clients.

Most automatic booths and artists offer a one-size-fits-all solution. At Studio Rhema, we understand that everyone has different skin — which is why we carry a wide range of brands, bronzer colours, and tan depths to ensure every client gets the best option for their dream tan goals.

How does the spray tan work?

The active ingredient in all sunless tanning products is DHA (dihydroxyacetone). The colour you see being applied at your appointment is a cosmetic bronzer — a colour guide for the artist and instant satisfaction for you. The actual tan develops 24–48 hours after your appointment.

DHA reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of dead skin cells, changing their colour to simulate a tan. Once those cells shed naturally, the tan fades — which is why we recommend exfoliating the day before to start with the freshest layer of skin. Once the bronzer is rinsed off and the real result develops, the tan will be much more blended and smooth.

Is it possible to get a natural looking spray tan?

Of course! Not all spray tans need to be dark and obvious. If you prefer a subtle glow — like you just spent a weekend at the cottage — just let your artist know. Every appointment starts with a consultation so we can customize the result exactly to your goal.

Does it make sense to get a spray tan before vacation?

Absolutely! A large majority of our appointments are clients heading on vacation who want to arrive already glowing. You'll feel so much more confident in your swimsuits and dresses without worrying about sunburn or uneven tan lines.

To preserve the tan: use non-aerosol sunscreen (SunBum lotion is spray-tan friendly), rinse in fresh water after pools or salt water, stay hydrated, and moisturize regularly. Ask your artist about the touch-up spray to take with you!

Will the tan transfer onto my clothes or wedding dress?

The cosmetic bronzer applied at your appointment rinses off after your first shower. Before that first rinse, it can rub off — which is why we recommend dark, loose clothing. The first shower is a water-only rinse to stop development; a normal shower with body wash removes remaining bronzer completely.

For brides, we recommend coming 2 days prior to ensure you've had 1–2 normal showers before putting on your dress. A helpful hack: baby powder or translucent setting powder in areas you're concerned about (underarms, etc.) significantly reduces transfer risk.

Can I still tan in the sun with a spray tan?

A spray tan does not affect how your skin responds to UV rays — if you normally tan in the sun, you still can, and you can still burn. We recommend wearing SPF at all times. Note: recent sunburn or sun damage is not a good time to get a spray tan.

Are spray tans safe for pregnant women?

Our spray tans are safe for pregnant women and we regularly tan clients for maternity shoots and baby showers. All our solutions are free of harsh chemicals, paraben-free, vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free. Since every pregnancy is unique, we always recommend checking with your doctor before booking.

What is the refund and cancellation policy?

Cancellation policy: please cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. Any cancellations within the 48-hour window are subject to a 100% cancellation fee — no exceptions. No-shows or clients more than 5 minutes late are also subject to the full fee.

Refund policy: we have a strict no-refund policy. 50% of the final result comes from the artist's work; the other 50% depends on the client's unique skin, hormones, pH levels, diet, and stress. We are fully transparent that some factors are outside our control. In rare cases we may offer store credit or a discount at our discretion.