Spray Tan

A spray tan is a sunless tanning method in which a DHA-based solution is applied to the skin using a professional airbrush or HVLP (high-volume low-pressure) spray gun. The active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), reacts with amino acids in the outermost layer of skin (the stratum corneum) to produce melanoidins — the brown pigments responsible for the bronze color. Spray tan provides no UV protection. The reaction takes 4–10 hours to fully develop and the resulting tan typically lasts 7–10 days with proper aftercare. A standard professional spray tan in the US costs $40–$100 depending on city, with competition tans (extra-dark, multi-coat applications used for bodybuilding and figure events) running $80–$180. Spray tan is the fastest-growing segment of the sunless tanning industry, capturing demand that previously went to UV tanning beds — which the WHO classifies as a Group 1 carcinogen. Most professional spray tans are completed in 10–15 minutes of active spraying time, with the client standing in a tent or booth to contain overspray. Bronzly is the booking and CRM platform built specifically for spray tan artists and studios.