What Is a Rapid Spray Tan? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Answer

A rapid spray tan is a professional sunless tan designed to be rinsed off sooner than a traditional overnight solution.

Depending on your skin, desired colour and the solution being used, your first rinse may happen within just a few hours.

But here's the important part:

Rinsing does not mean your tan is finished developing.

Your colour continues developing after that first rinse.

Why Does Wyld Sol Only Offer Rapid Spray Tans?

Because I love the flexibility they give my clients.

You don't have to spend eight-plus hours avoiding water, sleeping carefully and wondering whether your sheets are about to become involved in the situation.

With a rapid tan, I give you a specific rinse time before you leave.

You go about your day.

You rinse when instructed.

And your colour continues developing afterward.

For busy schedules, events, weddings and people who simply hate sleeping in tanning solution, it's incredibly convenient.

Does Rapid Mean the Tan Develops Instantly?

No.

This is probably the biggest misunderstanding about rapid tans.

Rapid refers to when you can rinse.

It doesn't mean your final colour appears immediately.

When you leave your appointment, much of the colour you see is the cosmetic bronzer.

At your first rinse, a lot of that bronzer washes away.

You may look lighter.

Do not panic.

Your actual sunless tan continues developing underneath.

How Long Do I Leave a Rapid Spray Tan On?

This depends on your skin, the solution and the depth we're trying to achieve.

I'll give you an exact rinse time before you leave Wyld Sol.

Follow it.

Please do not decide that leaving it on twice as long will make it twice as good.

Spray tan math continues to refuse to cooperate with us.

Longer isn't automatically better.

Can I Shower Normally for My First Rinse?

Follow the instructions I give you for your specific tan.

Generally, your first rinse is about removing the cosmetic bronzer while allowing your developed colour to continue doing its thing.

We'll go over exactly what I want you to do before you leave.

No guessing required.

Why Do I Look Lighter After My First Rinse?

Because you've just washed off the cosmetic bronzer.

That bronzer gives you immediate colour after your appointment, but it isn't the finished tan.

Your actual colour continues developing afterward(12-24hrs).

So if you step out of the shower and think:

WHERE DID MY TAN GO?

Give it time.

Does a Rapid Spray Tan Last as Long?

Rapid refers to rinse timing, not the number of days you're allowed to be tan.

Your eventual longevity depends much more on:

Your skin.

Preparation.

Moisturizing.

Showering habits.

Swimming.

Exfoliation.

Shaving.

And general aftercare.

With proper care, a rapid tan can give you beautiful, lasting colour.

How Should I Prepare?

Ideally, complete exfoliation and hair removal the day before.

I also recommend avoiding a shower immediately before your appointment whenever possible.

You want to arrive with skin that is clean, completely dry, cool and free from lotions, oils, deodorant and other products that may create a barrier.

If you need to shower the same day, keep the water lukewarm, avoid oily products and give your skin plenty of time to completely dry and cool before your appointment.

What Should I Wear Afterward?

Think:

Loose. Dark. Comfortable.

Avoid tight clothing that creates unnecessary friction while your tan is developing.

This is not the moment for your tightest leggings and a sports bra requiring an engineering degree to remove.

From Whitney's Treatment Room

The thing I love about rapid tans isn't simply that they're faster.

It's that they make professional spray tanning fit into real life.

You can get sprayed without committing the rest of your day and your entire night's sleep to protecting your developing tan.

And because I customize the colour and rinse time, we're not trying to make every person fit into the exact same formula.

Your skin isn't generic.

Your tan shouldn't be either.

FAQ

Is a rapid spray tan darker?

Not automatically. Your final depth depends on your skin, solution and rinse time.

Can I leave my rapid tan on longer?

Follow the rinse time you're given. Longer isn't automatically better.

Will my tan disappear when I rinse?

The cosmetic bronzer will wash away, so you may initially look lighter. Your actual tan continues developing afterward.

Is a rapid spray tan good before an event?

Yes. Rapid solutions can be especially convenient when you're preparing for weddings, vacations, photoshoots and other events.

Can I sleep in a rapid spray tan?

There's generally no reason to intentionally leave a rapid solution on overnight when you've been given an earlier rinse time.

Rapid Spray Tanning in Calgary

At Wyld Sol, rapid isn't an upgrade or an add-on.

It's simply how I spray tan.

Every spray tan is customized around your skin tone, undertone, desired depth and schedule.

I'll choose the colour.

I'll tell you when to rinse.

You get to go home and enjoy being suspiciously bronzed.

Seems fair.