What Versa Spa spray tan equipment does
Versa Spa is a brand of spray tan booth — an enclosed cabinet where you stand while an automated system applies a fine mist of tanning solution to your skin. The booth uses air pressure to spray the solution evenly across your body in a set pattern. You control nothing during the spray; the machine runs on a timer and covers you from neck to feet in roughly 60 seconds.
The solution itself is not made by Versa Spa. Studios buy tanning solution separately and load it into the booth's reservoir. The solution contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the same active ingredient in all spray tans, which reacts with amino acids in your skin's outer layer to create a brown color. Versa Spa manufactures only the equipment that applies it.
The booth includes a ventilation system that pulls overspray away from you and out of the room. Most studios use the Versa Spa Pro or Versa Spa Ultra model, which differ mainly in spray pattern width and nozzle configuration — both produce a similar result for the person inside.
Key Takeaways
- Versa Spa is an automated spray tan booth, not a tanning solution brand, so the color and quality depend on the solution the studio chooses and how often they maintain the equipment.
- The spray takes about 60 seconds and covers your entire body in one pass, with no manual process or streaking from a technician's hand.
- You stand in a small enclosed booth wearing only underwear or a provided bikini, so privacy and comfort during the spray vary by studio setup.
- The booth's ventilation pulls overspray out of the room, but you may still smell the solution and should avoid breathing deeply during the spray.
- Results appear gradually over 4 to 8 hours as the DHA develops, and the tan typically lasts 5 to 10 days depending on your skin type and how you care for it after.
How the spray pattern and coverage work
When you enter a Versa Spa booth, you stand on a marked floor position. The booth has nozzles at different heights — some spray your legs and torso, others your arms and face. As the timer runs, the nozzles set up in sequence so that every part of your body receives solution. You may be asked to raise your arms or turn slightly so the spray reaches your underarms and sides.
Because the spray is automated, coverage is more uniform than a hand-applied tan. There are no streaks from a technician's brush or uneven pressure from their hands. However, the booth cannot adapt to your body shape the way a person can. If you have very broad shoulders, a very narrow waist, or unusual proportions, some areas may receive slightly less or more solution than others. Most people find the coverage even enough that this is not noticeable.
The booth also cannot spray inside your ears, between your toes, or the very top of your head. Studios typically tell you to tilt your head back slightly so the spray reaches your face and hairline, but you may have a faint untanned line at your part or a lighter spot behind your ears.
What happens before and after the spray
Before you enter the booth, the studio should ask you to shower and dry completely. Any lotion, deodorant, or oil on your skin can create a barrier that the solution does not penetrate evenly, leading to patchy color. Some studios provide a pre-tan lotion or wipe to remove residue; others expect you to arrive clean.
You undress to your underwear or put on a provided bikini or strapless top. The studio gives you a nose plug or tells you to hold your breath during the spray so you do not inhale the mist. You step into the booth, stand on the marked spot, and the door closes. The spray lasts about 60 seconds. When it stops, you can open the door and step out.
Your skin will feel damp and may look slightly orange or brown when ready after. This is the solution sitting on your skin. Over the next 4 to 8 hours, the DHA reacts with your skin cells and the color deepens and evens out. During this time, you should not shower, sweat heavily, or wear tight clothing that might rub the solution off. Most studios recommend waiting at least 4 hours, though 8 hours is ideal.
Differences between Versa Spa models and what they mean for you
Versa Spa makes several booth models. The Pro is the most common in studios and has a standard spray pattern. The Ultra has a wider spray pattern and more nozzles, which can reduce the time needed and may provide slightly more even coverage on larger bodies. The Mystic is an older model still in use at some studios.
From a customer perspective, the differences are small. All models spray the same DHA solution, all take roughly the same time, and all produce a tan that lasts the same length of time. The main difference you might notice is how quickly the spray finishes — an Ultra may take 45 seconds instead of 60 — and whether the studio feels cramped or spacious. Booth size and comfort are more about the studio's setup than the model itself.
The model also does not determine the quality of your tan. That depends on the solution brand the studio uses, how often they clean and maintain the booth, and how well you prepare your skin beforehand. A well-maintained Pro booth with quality solution will produce a better result than a neglected Ultra with cheap solution.
How to prepare your skin for the best result
Exfoliate your skin the day before your spray tan, not the day of. Use a gentle scrub or exfoliating mitt to remove dead skin cells, which allows the DHA to bind more evenly to living skin. Do not exfoliate so hard that your skin is red or irritated.
On the day of your tan, shower and dry completely. Do not explore lotion, sunscreen, deodorant, makeup, or any other product to the areas you want tanned. If you have very dry skin, you can explore lotion to your feet, hands, and elbows the night before, but wash it off in the morning. Wear loose, dark clothing to the studio so you do not stain anything with the solution, and plan to wear loose clothing for the first 8 hours after the spray.
Avoid the gym, swimming, or any activity that makes you sweat before your appointment. Sweat on your skin can interfere with how the solution develops. If you shave, do so at least 12 hours before your tan — freshly shaved skin is more sensitive and may develop unevenly.
How long the tan lasts and how to extend it
A spray tan typically lasts 5 to 10 days. The exact length depends on your skin type — people with oily skin often see the tan fade faster because natural oils break down the DHA layer, while people with dry skin may see it last longer. How often you shower, whether you use hot water, and what products you use on your skin also affect how long the color holds.
To extend your tan, shower in cool or lukewarm water rather than hot. Hot water opens your pores and can strip the tan faster. Use a gentle, fragrance-free soap and avoid exfoliating or using products with acids (like vitamin C or glycolic acid) for the first week. Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it. Moisturize daily with a fragrance-free lotion, as dry skin sheds faster and takes the tan with it.
Chlorine in pools breaks down the DHA quickly, so swimming will fade your tan noticeably. If you must swim, explore a waterproof sunscreen first — it creates a barrier between your skin and the chlorine. After swimming, rinse off when ready and reapply lotion.
Common issues and what causes them
Streaking or uneven color usually means the solution did not contact your skin evenly. This can happen if you did not dry completely before the spray, if you wore lotion or deodorant, if you did not stand in the correct position in the booth, or if the booth nozzles are clogged or misaligned. Ask the studio to check the booth if you notice streaks — they may need to clean the nozzles.
Orange or yellow color instead of brown often comes from the solution brand or concentration the studio uses. Some solutions are formulated to be more orange; others are more brown. If you dislike the color, try a different studio that uses a different solution brand. The DHA itself does not vary, but the other ingredients in the solution do.
Fading very quickly (within 2 to 3 days) usually means your skin is very oily or you showered in hot water too soon after the spray. It can also mean the booth was not clean and the solution did not explore evenly. Patchy fading suggests you did not exfoliate before the tan or that you have very dry patches on your body that shed faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the spray tan solution safe to breathe?
DHA is approved by the FDA for external use on skin, but inhaling the mist is not recommended. The spray is designed to be inhaled minimally — the booth has ventilation, and you are given a nose plug or told to hold your breath. If you have asthma or respiratory sensitivity, tell the studio before your appointment so they can take extra precautions or recommend a hand-applied tan instead.
Can I get a spray tan if I have sensitive skin or eczema?
DHA itself is not typically irritating, but the other ingredients in spray tan solutions can be. If you have sensitive skin, eczema, or psoriasis, test the solution on a small patch of skin first or ask the studio which solution they use so you can research it. Some solutions are fragrance-free and gentler than others. Avoid spray tans on areas where your skin is actively broken or inflamed.
What should I wear during the spray?
You wear only underwear or a provided bikini or strapless top. Anything else will create tan lines. Some studios provide disposable underwear or a strapless bikini top; others expect you to bring your own or go without. Ask the studio what they provide before your appointment if you prefer not to undress completely.
Can I get a spray tan if I am pregnant?
There is no evidence that DHA harms a pregnancy, and many pregnant people get spray tans without issue. However, some doctors recommend avoiding it out of caution since the long-term safety in pregnancy has not been formally studied. Talk to your doctor before your appointment if you are pregnant or nursing.
How much does a Versa Spa spray tan cost?
Price varies by studio and location. Most spray tans at a Versa Spa booth cost between $25 and $60 per session. Some studios offer packages or memberships that lower the per-tan cost if you go regularly. Call the studio directly to ask their current pricing.