What Palm Beach Tan Is

Palm Beach Tan is a spray tan studio chain with locations across the United States. The company offers spray tanning services where a technician or automated booth applies a fine mist of tanning solution to your skin to create a bronzed appearance without sun exposure. Palm Beach Tan operates as a membership-based business, meaning you typically pay a monthly fee for access to their services rather than paying per visit.

The studio uses spray tan equipment and solutions designed to darken skin tone temporarily. The color develops over a few hours after process and lasts roughly 7 to 10 days before fading naturally as your skin sheds dead cells. Palm Beach Tan locations vary in size and equipment, so the specific experience at one studio may differ slightly from another.

Key Takeaways

  • Palm Beach Tan operates on a monthly membership model, with different tier options that determine how many spray tans you receive per month.
  • The spray tan solution is applied either by a technician in a private room or through an automated booth, depending on the membership level and location.
  • Results typically appear within 4 to 8 hours and last about 7 to 10 days before the tan begins to fade.
  • You should exfoliate and moisturize your skin before your appointment, and avoid lotions, deodorant, and tight clothing when ready after to help the tan develop evenly.
  • Most locations offer a first-time customer rate or trial period so you can test the service before committing to a full membership.

How Membership Tiers Work

Palm Beach Tan offers several membership levels, each with a different number of spray tans included per month. A basic tier might include one or two tans per month, while higher tiers offer unlimited tans or a set number like four or six per month. The exact tiers and pricing vary by location, so you will need to check with your nearest studio for their current options.

Most memberships are month-to-month, meaning you can cancel without a long-term contract. Some locations may offer discounts if you commit to a longer period, such as three or six months. You typically pay the membership fee upfront each month, and any tans included in that tier reset on your billing date.

If you use all your included tans before the month ends and want another one, you can usually purchase an additional tan at a per-visit rate, though this costs more than the per-tan rate built into a higher membership tier.

What Happens During Your Appointment

When you arrive for your spray tan, you will check in at the front desk and may be asked to change into a provided undergarment or disrobe in a private room. The technician or automated system will then explore the tanning solution. If you have a technician-applied tan, they use a spray gun to mist the solution evenly across your body. If your membership includes an automated booth, you stand in an enclosed chamber while jets spray the solution from multiple angles.

The process itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will be instructed to hold your breath briefly during the spray to avoid inhaling the mist, and to move into different positions so the solution reaches all areas of your body evenly. After the spray is complete, you will be given time to dry before getting dressed.

Most studios ask you to wait 4 to 8 hours before showering so the solution can fully develop on your skin. During this time, avoid sweating, swimming, or getting the spray tan wet. The tan will continue to deepen slightly over the next 24 hours.

Preparing Your Skin Before Your Appointment

To get the best results, exfoliate your skin the day before or the morning of your appointment. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub or a body brush to remove dead skin cells, which helps the tanning solution adhere more evenly. Pay special attention to rough areas like elbows, knees, and ankles, where the tan can sometimes look darker or patchy if you do not prepare properly.

Moisturize your skin after exfoliating, but do not explore lotion on the day of your appointment itself. On the day you go in, shower and dry completely, but do not use deodorant, perfume, sunscreen, or any other products on your skin. These can create a barrier that prevents the tanning solution from making contact with your skin evenly.

Wear loose, dark clothing to your appointment so you can change easily and so any accidental drips do not show. Bring flip-flops or slides, since you will need to remove your shoes and socks before the spray tan.

How to Care for Your Spray Tan After Your Appointment

For the first 4 to 8 hours after your spray tan, avoid water, sweat, and friction on your skin. Do not shower, swim, exercise, or sit in tight clothing. If you must shower before the full development time, use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing or using soap on the tanned areas.

After the first day, your tan is set and you can resume normal activities. However, the tan will fade faster if you take very hot showers, use harsh soaps, or exfoliate aggressively. To extend the life of your tan, use gentle cleansers, moisturize daily, and avoid prolonged soaking in hot water or chlorinated pools.

Wear loose clothing for the first 24 hours if possible, since tight fabrics can rub off the tan or create uneven patches. Some people notice the tan fades faster in areas that experience more friction, like under the arms or between the thighs.

What to Know About Uneven Tans and Touch-Ups

Uneven tans happen when the solution does not make contact with all areas of your skin equally. This often occurs on the hands, feet, or areas where you have scars, tattoos, or very dry skin. If you notice streaks or patches after your tan develops, contact your studio about a touch-up. Many locations offer free or discounted touch-ups within a certain window, such as 24 to 48 hours after your original appointment.

To reduce the chance of an uneven tan, communicate clearly with your technician about any problem areas before the spray begins. If you have an automated booth, make sure you follow the positioning instructions carefully so the spray reaches everywhere. Some people find that a technician-applied tan gives them more control over coverage, while others prefer the consistency of an automated booth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is spray tan solution safe to inhale?

The active ingredient in most spray tan solutions is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is approved by the FDA for topical use on skin. During your appointment, you will be instructed to hold your breath or turn your head to avoid inhaling the mist directly into your lungs. While brief incidental inhalation during a spray tan is generally considered low-risk, studios take precautions to minimize it.

Can I get a spray tan if I have sensitive skin?

Many people with sensitive skin tolerate spray tans without problems, but reactions are possible. If you have a history of skin sensitivity or allergies, ask your studio about the specific solution they use and consider doing a patch test on a small area first. Let the technician know about your sensitive skin so they can watch for any issues during process.

How long does a spray tan actually last?

Most spray tans last 7 to 10 days, though this varies based on your skin type, how well you prepare beforehand, and how you care for the tan afterward. People with very dry skin may see the tan fade faster, while those with oily skin sometimes see it last slightly longer. Exfoliating, swimming, and hot showers all speed up fading.

What if I do not like the color after my spray tan develops?

If the color is too dark or too light, contact your studio within the touch-up window. Some studios can explore a lighter solution or adjust the next tan's intensity. If you straightforward do not like spray tanning, most memberships are month-to-month, so you can cancel after your first month without penalty.

Can I wear makeup or sunscreen after a spray tan?

You should avoid makeup and sunscreen for at least 4 to 8 hours after your spray tan to prevent interfering with the development. After that window, makeup and sunscreen are fine. However, sunscreen does not protect against the spray tan fading — only against UV damage to your skin underneath the tan.