You’re standing there in a paper thong, arms out like a starfish, wondering if you’re about to turn into a literal citrus fruit. It’s a common fear. Honestly, the first time I walked into a booth, I was terrified I’d come out looking like a 2004-era pop star gone wrong. But the reality of Sun Tan City spray tans is actually a lot more technical—and frankly, a lot better—than the horror stories suggest.
People get obsessed with the "instant" nature of it. They want to walk in pale and walk out ready for a red carpet. While you can do that, there’s a massive gap between a "fine" spray tan and a "wow, did you just get back from Cabo?" glow. It all comes down to understanding the science of DHA and why your skin chemistry actually dictates the final color more than the machine does.
The VersaSpa vs. SunPro Debate: Which One Actually Wins?
Most Sun Tan City locations aren't just a one-size-fits-all setup. You’ve basically got two heavy hitters: the VersaSpa Pro and the SunPro.
If you’re a perfectionist, the VersaSpa Pro is usually the go-to recommendation. It’s an open-booth design, which is great if you get claustrophobic. It uses a fine mist that feels less like being hosed down and more like a light fog. It also has a built-in blow-dryer feature. That’s huge. Nobody wants to put jeans on while they’re still tacky.
Then you have the SunPro. It’s consistent. It’s reliable. But it feels a bit more "industrial" compared to the VersaSpa. Some people swear by the SunPro because it feels like the coverage is thicker, which might appeal to you if you’re going for a very deep, dark tan for a specific event like a wedding or a fitness competition.
The real secret isn't just the machine, though. It’s the "prep" and "post" passes. Sun Tan City offers additives like the pH balancer. Is it a gimmick? Kinda, but also no. If your skin is naturally more acidic or you’ve got residual sweat on you, that pH balancer is the only thing standing between you and an orange tint. It preps the canvas. Without it, the DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) might react unpredictably.
Why Your "Double Dark" Might Look Different Than Your Best Friend's
It’s annoying, but true. You and your friend can go into the exact same booth, select "Double Dark," and come out looking like two different species.
DHA is the active ingredient in all sunless tanners. It reacts with the amino acids in the dead layer of your skin—the stratum corneum. If you haven't exfoliated in three days, you have a thick layer of dead skin. The spray tan will grab onto that and look incredibly dark, but it will flake off in patches within 48 hours. It’ll look like you have a skin condition. Not cute.
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If you exfoliate too hard right before you go, you might have "fresh" skin that doesn't have enough amino acids for the DHA to grab onto.
The Golden Rules of Preparation
- Shave 24 hours before. Shaving right before opens your pores. If you spray tan immediately after, you get those tiny dark dots on your legs—it’s called "strawberry legs," and it happens because the tan settles into the open follicles.
- Skip the Dove soap. This is a weirdly specific tip that pros always give. Cream-based soaps like Dove leave a film on the skin. That film acts as a barrier. The spray tan will literally slide off or look streaky. Use a clear, basic gel cleanser instead.
- No lotion, no perfume, no deodorant. Deodorant is the biggest culprit for "green armpits." The aluminum in your Speed Stick reacts with the tan formula. You’ll walk out with emerald green pits. It’s a look, but probably not the one you want.
Understanding the "Clear" vs. "Bronzer" Choice
When you’re at the kiosk at Sun Tan City, you’ll have to choose between a clear formula and one with a cosmetic bronzer.
The Clear option is for the brave. You walk out looking exactly the same as you did when you walked in. The tan develops over the next 4-8 hours. The benefit? No stained clothes. No brown smears on your car seat. The downside? You can’t see if you missed a spot (though the machines are pretty foolproof these days).
The Bronzer option gives you instant gratification. It’s essentially a temporary makeup mixed with the tanning solution. You see exactly where the tan is. It looks great immediately. But be warned: that cosmetic tint will rub off on your white sheets. If you’re heading to a wedding that evening, go with the bronzer. If you’re just doing your weekly maintenance, go clear.
The 24-Hour Aftercare: The Make-or-Break Period
The most critical time for Sun Tan City spray tans isn't the session itself; it's the eight hours following it.
You cannot get wet. Period. No washing your hands, no sweating at the gym, and definitely no crying. (Seriously, "tan tears" are a real thing and they leave permanent white tracks down your face).
When you finally do shower, it’s a "rinse," not a "scrub." You’ll see brown water circling the drain. Don't panic. That’s just the cosmetic bronzer washing off. Your actual tan is underneath and it’s bonded to your skin.
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- Avoid: Retinol, AHAs, and BHAs on your face. These are chemical exfoliants. They will eat your tan for breakfast. If you use a heavy skincare routine, expect your face to fade twice as fast as your body.
- Embrace: Oil-free moisturizers. Keeping the skin hydrated prevents the "cracked" look that happens around day five.
Common Misconceptions and the "Orange" Myth
Let's address the elephant in the room. Or the pumpkin in the room.
Modern spray tan solutions at reputable places like Sun Tan City have come a long way. The "orange" look usually happens for two reasons: over-processing or the wrong undertone. If you are naturally very fair (think Irish porcelain) and you select the darkest possible setting, you are forcing a chemical reaction that your skin isn't built for.
It’s better to start with a "Light" or "Medium" and build it.
Also, the "Instant" or "Rapid" tans are a game changer. With a standard tan, you wait 8 hours. With a Rapid tan, you can rinse in 1 to 4 hours depending on how dark you want to be. It’s more expensive, but for anyone who hates the feeling of being "sticky," it’s worth every penny.
Maintenance Costs: Is a Membership Worth It?
Sun Tan City operates on a membership model similar to a gym. If you’re going once a month for a special event, just pay the single-session "walk-in" price. It's usually around $30-$50 depending on the level and additives.
However, if you want to stay tan year-round, the "Club Sun" memberships are significantly cheaper. You can get unlimited spray tans for a monthly fee that usually equals the cost of two single sessions.
One thing they don't always advertise: you can "freeze" your membership. If you’re going away or just want to give your skin a break in the winter, you can usually pay a small fee (like $5 a month) to keep your membership active without paying the full price. This avoids the "re-enrollment" fees later.
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Strategic Fading: How to Get Out Gracefully
Around day six or seven, your tan is going to start looking a little tired. It usually breaks up first around the neck, the inner elbows, and the "bra line" where friction occurs.
Don't try to spot-fix it. It never works.
When it’s time for the tan to go, you need a long, hot soak in a bath with some oil (baby oil or coconut oil works wonders). This softens the dead skin cells that are holding onto the pigment. After about 20 minutes, use an exfoliating mitt. The tan will roll off in little gray clumps. It’s gross, but satisfying.
Once you’ve cleared the old tan, you have a fresh canvas for the next one. Never, ever spray tan over an old, fading tan. It will look muddy and uneven.
Final Checklist for Your Appointment
To get the most out of your session, keep it simple.
- Morning of: Exfoliate like your life depends on it. Focus on knees, elbows, and ankles.
- Clothing: Wear the ugliest, loosest black sweatpants you own. No leggings. No tight bras. Friction is the enemy of a fresh tan.
- The Session: Follow the voice prompts in the booth exactly. If it says "turn," turn. Don't overthink it.
- The Hands: This is where people mess up. Use the barrier cream provided on your fingernails, cuticles, and the palms of your hands. If you don't, you’ll have "orange palms," which is the ultimate giveaway that your tan is fake.
- The Face: If you’re worried about it being too dark, ask for a "half-pass" on the face or just skip it and use bronzer on your face later.
Actionable Next Steps
Before you head to your local Sun Tan City, check their app. They frequently run "Free Tan Weekends" or $10 spray tan specials for new clients. Download the app, create a profile, and look for the "specials" tab.
Once you’re there, don’t be afraid to ask the consultant which machine is newest. Technology improves fast, and the newer booths often have better nozzles and more consistent spray patterns.
Lastly, invest in a dedicated "tan-safe" moisturizer. Look for something without mineral oil or high alcohol content. If you treat your skin like expensive silk for the first 48 hours, that $40 tan will look like a $500 vacation for at least a full week.