We've all been there- having a great time enjoying the pool, beach, etc. feeling so great with our fresh tan and then we look down and notice the dreaded faded tan triangle in our elbows. The HORROR! It's a sad and disappointing feeling, but there is hope! Here's our top 2 products we reach for to get our tan back.

First, tan extenders. We always have a tan extending lotion on hand. It's essential tanning 101. Gradually adding color back that we lose is the easiest way to keep a tan looking beautiful.

Next, we grab our tanning mist and spritz a refreshing bronze right over areas like inner elbows, under b00bs, over face and any other areas that fade faster. Lightly blend with a mitt or makeup brus, let it soak in and bam! You're back in the solid tan game! 

The South Seas Tahitian Mist is one of our favorite tanning products to carry anywhere, but especially when we are going on a trip or in a lot of water. It applies easily, blends out well and keeps things looking even and glowy. 

During September get 25% off of Mists and members get an extra 20% off this month only! (p.s. If you're not a Best Bronze Member yet, why not?!)

If you ask anyone their thoughts on spray tanning, they will likely say something about being orange. This inconvenient elephant in the room is something spray tan artists address all the time. Preparation, hormones, absorption rates, medications, and of course, oversaturation, can all play a part in creating this unfortunate monster. Many of these aspects artists cannot control, some even the tanner cannot control, but this blog will attempt to help you avoid this result. 

Products you use to prepare and care for your tan can dry out your skin pre and post tanning application. Dry skin = high orange tone potential. Avoid products that have mineral oil, alcohols, heavy fragrance and petrolatum. Also avoid DOVE ( as well as Dial and other conventional bar soaps as well) since it leaves a film on your skin that will break down the spray tan and contribute to orange, patchy fading.

Hormones and absorption rates are that quiet, unseen player that can cause a big disruption to so many factors in our lives. Since women's hormone levels fluctuate every 5-8 days, your results will vary slightly every week and likely your tan will be lighter and fade sooner around the week of your cycle. Also, the months before menstrual cycles start and during perimenopause you can see very strange results like heavy streaking and unevenness, easily over processing(turning orange) even with a light tan, and possibly very little color even with a dark tan. 

Absorption rates vary person to person and while we do are best to give guidelines, DHA (Dihydroxyacetone- the compound that reacts with your amino acids to leave the top layer of skin cells with a beautiful Bronze stain), will react different with each individual. This is exactly why doing a trail tan before any big events like a wedding or photoshoots, is the highly recommended to get the color adjusted for your body. 

Medications can also play a part in creating undesired results. Antibiotics, retinal, steroids and more effects absorption of the tan. Please let your artist know if you are taking any of these so we can recommend the best options and adjust as needed.

Where artists can adjust is the amount of saturation or the level of DHA applied to your skin. Everyone has their DHA limit, and when that is reached the dreaded orange tones begin to show. Again, trial tans help to find the limit for your skin, especially if you are aiming to achieve your darkest tan without going looking unnatural. 

Thanks for reading and stay Bronzed!

A fresh spray tan is one of summer's best accessories — but a dip in the pool or ocean can fade that color faster than you think. Water, salt, and chlorine are a tan's worst enemies, though with a little preparation you can hold onto your golden hue all season long.
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Tip One- Limit Your Soak Time
Prolonged time in water — whether it's a saltwater ocean or a chlorinated pool — hydrates skin cells and accelerates cell turnover. As those surface cells shed, so does your tan. Keep swims short and purposeful. Think of it this way: a quick, joyful splash is far kinder to your color than a lazy two-hour float.

Tip Two- Rinse with Fresh Water
The moment you step out of the water, head for the nearest shower or rinse station. A quick rinse with fresh water removes salt residue and pool chemicals before they have a chance to dry on the skin. Both salt and chlorine can strip moisture and cause uneven fading — a 30-second rinse makes a meaningful difference in how long your tan holds.

Tip Three- Pat Dry — Don't Rub
Towel technique matters more than most people realize. Vigorous rubbing acts like a mild exfoliant, lifting off tanned skin cells with every stroke. Instead, gently pat the skin dry, pressing the towel rather than dragging it. It takes an extra ten seconds and your color will thank you for it.

Tip Four- Apply an SPF Lotion
Sun protection and tan preservation go hand in hand. UV rays break down the DHA in spray tans just as they damage skin, so applying a broad-spectrum SPF after drying off is a must. Opt for a lotion-based sunscreen over a spray — lotions deliver a boost of moisture that keeps skin supple, slows cell turnover, and helps the color develop more evenly over time. A well-hydrated tan simply lasts longer.

With a little mindfulness in and out of the water, your spray tan can stay vibrant well beyond a single beach day. Limit your soak, rinse off, pat dry, and moisturize with SPF — four simple habits for a glow that lasts all summer.

You've booked your spray tan, prepped your skin, and can't wait for that gorgeous bronze glow. But if you're reaching for just any body wash, lotion, or sunscreen afterward, you may be sabotaging your results without even knowing it. The secret to a long-lasting, even, natural-looking tan isn't just in the spray — it's in the products you use around it.
​A flawless spray tan doesn't end when you leave the studio — it lives or dies by the products you use afterward. Most people don't realize that everyday skincare staples can quietly destroy a tan within days, while the right alternatives can keep that glow looking rich and even for well over a week. The difference comes down to chemistry, and understanding which ingredients work with your tan versus against it is the single most impactful thing you can do to protect your investment.
Start in the shower. Conventional body washes and soaps are typically loaded with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) — powerful detergents that lather beautifully but strip the skin aggressively. These surfactants don't distinguish between dirt and DHA, the active compound responsible for your bronze color. They pull the tan off the skin's surface, leading to rapid, uneven fading. Switching to a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser — one that uses mild, plant-derived surfactants — makes an immediate difference. As a quick rule: if it lathers dramatically, it's probably not your tan's friend.
Your moisturizer deserves just as much scrutiny. Two of the most common lotion ingredients — mineral oil and alcohol — are significant tan-killers. Mineral oil, a petroleum byproduct used as a cheap emollient, forms a barrier on the skin that interferes with DHA and causes the color to break down and lift unevenly. Alcohol, which is widely used to suspend fragrance in scented products, is both drying and solvent in nature, actively dissolving the DHA compounds that give you your color. Look for hydrating formulas built around aloe vera, glycerin, shea butter, or plant-based oils like jojoba or argan — ingredients that deeply nourish the skin without compromising your tan.
Finally, don't overlook your sunscreen. Chemical SPF formulas — those containing oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, or similar ingredients — work by triggering UV-absorbing chemical reactions within the skin, and that same reactivity can break down your tan's DHA layer, causing it to fade unevenly or shift in tone (aka Orange). Mineral sunscreens, formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are the tan-safe alternative. Rather than reacting with the skin, they sit on top of it and physically deflect UV rays, leaving your color completely undisturbed. Choosing mineral SPF means you protect your skin and your glow at the same time — and that's a combination worth making a permanent part of your routine.
Sulfate-free cleansers, alcohol and mineral oil-free moisturizers, and mineral-based sunscreen — three simple swaps that transform how long and how beautifully your spray tan wears. Read the label, choose wisely, and let your glow do the rest.

If you're a spray tan enthusiast, you know the struggle: you want to keep your skin hydrated and glowing, but you're worried that oils will strip away your beautiful bronze. Here's the good news—not all body oils are created equal. Oh My Glow Body Oil, made right here in Atlanta by Spray Studio, is specifically formulated with spray tan-friendly ingredients that nourish your skin without compromising your color. Packed with argan, avocado, rosehip, shea nut, and vitamin E oils, this locally crafted blend works with your tan, not against it.

The magic is in the ingredients. Unlike mineral oils or certain heavy moisturizers that can break down DHA (the active ingredient in spray tans), Oh My Glow uses a carefully curated combination of natural oils that penetrate deeply to hydrate without creating a barrier that interferes with your tan. Argan and avocado oils deliver essential fatty acids and moisture, while rosehip and vitamin E support skin health and radiance. Shea nut oil seals it all in, leaving your skin soft and supple. Together, these ingredients help your tan fade evenly and naturally while keeping dry, flaky skin at bay—because nothing ruins a gorgeous glow faster than dry patches.

Using Oh My Glow is simple: apply it after showering on damp skin for maximum absorption, focusing on areas prone to dryness like elbows, knees, and ankles. Your skin will drink it up, staying hydrated and smooth while your tan develops and lasts longer. Whether you're maintaining a year-round glow or prepping for a special event, this locally made body oil is your secret weapon for skin that looks and feels amazing. Because when your skin is happy and hydrated, your tan looks its absolute best.
Check it out at your next appointment and mention this blog post to get 20% off OMG Body Oil through 2/14/2026!

A spray tan is an investment in your appearance and confidence. Protecting that investment with proper hydration and moisturizing is the difference between a tan that lasts 3 days and one that lasts 10+ days with beautiful, even color.
Quick Recap: Your Spray Tan Moisturizing Checklist✓ Start hydrating 3-5 days before your appointment
✓ Exfoliate 24 hours before your spray tan
✓ Skip moisturizer on appointment day
✓ Moisturize twice daily after rinsing off your tan
✓ Use tan-safe, lotions (or our extra hydrating oil!)
✓ Drink plenty of water for internal hydration
✓ Avoid harsh soaps and exfoliating products
By making moisturizing a non-negotiable part of your spray tan routine, you'll achieve a more even application, natural-looking color, and significantly longer-lasting results. Your skin will thank you, and your gorgeous glow will prove it was worth the effort.
Ready for your best spray tan yet? Start your hydration routine today and experience the difference that properly moisturized skin makes.

Looking for more spray tan tips? Check out our guides on our Prep and Care page, how to choose the right spray tan shade, and how to have a stress free tanning experience.

The heart of our business is to support to our community. If you've had the gift of getting a beautiful glow with us, you know how powerful that feeling can be. A simple, healthy looking glow does so much for our outlook on life. Last month we were able to gift those going through cancer treatments with 60 Feel Better tanning sessions, all because you got your Bronze on with us!

We love giving back with our time and monetary support and this month we are supporting the work that PACK(People of Action Caring for Kids) is doing for foster care kids in Savannah. We are collecting oversized Blankets (90"x90" or larger) to send out with Christmas gifts to these kids and when you bring in your blanket you will get $10 off your session!

Thank you for supporting our small business and these sweet children in our  Savannah community! 

We are all about boosting your outlook on life with a beautiful glow, but we know that bad press is ALL over the web with orange tones, streaky legs and a whole lot of scary images that turn even the most seasoned spray tanner's stomach. Halloween is over, so let's take the scare out of a spray tan and help ease the stress with some do's and don'ts to follow!
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DOs
DO shave and exfoliate the night before your appointment.
DO moisturize well after your exfoliating shower
DO bring loose, covering clothing and sandals to wear afterwards
DO tell us about any allergies you have
DO ask about rinse times and your desired depth of color
DO shower with only warm water
DO moisturize after showers

DON'Ts
DON'T shower, exfoliate and shave right before your appointment
DON'T use moisturizers the day of your appointment
DON'T wear yoga pants, jeans or tightly fitted clothing after your session
DON'T stay in your tan longer than the given time to rinse (or you risk turning that dreaded orange!)
DON'T get wet, sweat or put anything liquid on your skin before your rinse time
DON'T use soap before 24hrs
DON'T use Dove soaps

For more helpful tips on how to prepare and care for your beautiful Bronze, see our Prep and Care page

We appreciate you trusting us with your glow and are happy to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease!

Using self tanners can be tricky, but we are here to give some tips to make application a treat!

The biggest issue is that of course, we can only reach so much of our own bodies. If you have the help of someone you trust, that makes getting all areas coated easier. However, just like any group project, or sunscreen application, it still takes effort on their part to ensure even coverage is achieved. Choose your helper wisely ;) If you don't have the luxury of additional helpers, using a back scrubber with an application mitt over the top is a great solution. We use a rubber band or a clip to secure the mitt and then put a pump or two of the self tanner on the mitt. Use a mirror to make sure the tanner is applied evenly on the whole area.

The next hurdle is hands and feet. The skin on these areas is much thinner than the rest of the body and at the same time, the skin on the palms and underside of the feet is thicker. The challenge is to get it even without staining all surfaces of the skin. This should honestly have it's own award because getting this right is a major accomplishment!! We opt for using a make up brush, like a Kabuki brush or a foundation brush, to blend the tan evenly in these areas. Do this as a final step after all other areas are tanned, with just the slightest amount of tanner. We also recommend having a moist towel close by to wipe away any mistakes and just ensure we keep palms and feet natural. 

Streaks? Making sure to completely rub in the product is the easiest way to avoid streaks. Go over one area at a time, like one leg or arm, and make sure you cover all the skin as thoroughly as possible. We like to use a velvet mitt to make sure the tan is flawless, but have also tried the simple gloved hand method and had great results with generous blending over the areas.

Have you tried any of these methods? What are your best tips to get a flawless and beautiful Bronze with your self tanners? This month save 25% off self tanners, plus leave a comment with your best self tanning tips and get 10% off! 

​Stay Bronzed!

In the world of self tanners, tanning mists can seem more daunting than others. How do you get a streak free tan from a can? Why a mist instead of a mousse?
​Here are 3 ways to use a Tanning Mist and our tips for the best results.

1. Touch ups- Spray tans are a bit fickle and can easily get botched with wetness, tight clothing and numerous other reasons. Touching up areas that accidentally came out less than perfect with a mist is mess free and super easy. Spray the area from 6-8 inches away and then lightly blend with a makeup brush or mitt

2. Face Fade- Skin cells on the facial area fade faster than the skin on the rest of the body. We all love the glow on our faces, but hate that it fades so quickly! A mist is a great way to add that color back with minimal effort. We mist in a 'Z' pattern and then in a large circle to get even coverage, then use a makeup brush or mitt to blend.

3. Quick Tan- On longer vacations and near the end of a tan, using a mist to add back overall color brings the tan back to life. With a faster drying effect, mists allow you to get dressed and head back to the fun without having to let a mousse or lotion soak in. Just remember to stay dry until rinse time and moisturize after your first rinse! 

Body Bronzing Savannah offers a couple of options for mists and we hope you'll check them out at your next visit!

♥Body Bronzing Savannah is located in Savannah, Ga and has provided sunless tanning services to our community for over 20 years.♥