How Long Does a Spray Tan Take? What to Use Instead?

What Happens During a Typical Spray Tan Appointment?

It’s easy to assume a spray tan is a fast solution. A quick visit, a few minutes in the booth or with a technician, and you’re out the door glowing - right? Not quite. The truth is, when you break down how long does a spray tan take from start to finish, the time commitment adds up fast. And most people don’t factor in everything that goes into the process, from preparation to drying to post-appointment limitations.

Whether you’re doing it for a special event or just to maintain a year-round tan, it’s important to understand the full spray tan timeline - because the actual spraying is only a small part of it.

Pre-Tan Prep, Wait Time, and Drying Process

Before the tan even begins, your time is already being spent. Getting a spray tan isn’t just about showing up and stepping into a booth. You have to prep your skin, wait your turn, go through the actual spray session, and then wait again for your skin to dry before getting dressed.

Let’s break this down.

1. Skin prep starts before you leave the house
   Every technician or salon will tell you to exfoliate before your appointment. That means spending time the night before - or the morning of - shaving, exfoliating, and avoiding heavy products like moisturizers or oils. This prep is crucial because if your skin isn’t clean and smooth, the tan won’t apply evenly. That alone can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on your routine.
2. Arrival time and waiting add uncertainty
   Once you arrive at the salon, you often need to fill out forms if it’s your first time, wait for the technician, and sometimes hang around longer if things are running late. What seems like a 15-minute window can quickly become 30 or 40 minutes before you’re actually being sprayed.
3. The spray tan itself is fast - but that’s not the end
   Most spray tan sessions take 5 to 10 minutes, whether done by a technician or an automatic booth. But afterward, you’re typically asked to wait in the room or a drying station for another 10 to 15 minutes to let the formula settle and start drying. Rushing to get dressed too early can cause streaks or smudging - so you’re better off waiting, even if it eats more time.
4. You’ll be dressing differently for the rest of the day
   After the tan is applied, you’re encouraged to wear loose, dark clothing. That often means packing a change of clothes, avoiding certain fabrics, and skipping anything tight-fitting. You’re also told to avoid water, sweat, or skin-to-skin contact for hours - sometimes up to 12. That means no working out, no showers, and no rubbing against clothing.

All of this comes before you even consider how long the actual color takes to develop.

How Long You’ll Spend at the Salon

If you’re wondering how long does a spray tan take, think beyond just the booth time. When you factor in everything involved in a typical salon visit, the full time commitment often looks like this:

• Skin prep before leaving home: 30–60 minutes

• Travel to and from the salon: 20–40 minutes depending on location

• Waiting, check-in, and consultation: 15–30 minutes

• Spray session: 5–10 minutes

• Drying period at salon: 10–15 minutes

• Post-tan care and clothing adjustments: 10–15 minutes

Total time commitment: often 90 minutes to 2 hours or more
And that’s not including the downtime afterward, where you’re trying not to sweat, shower, or mess up your results.

So while the actual spray may only take a few minutes, the question of how long does a spray tan take should always be answered with the full experience in mind. For many people, the total time ends up being more than they bargained for - especially when juggling a busy schedule.

The Hidden Time Costs - Travel, Clothing, and Downtime

Spray tans don’t just take time in the salon. They also take time after. And a lot of that time goes toward avoiding problems rather than enjoying your glow.

You can’t go back to your day right away
After your spray tan, your skin is still developing. That means for the next 6 to 8 hours, you’re avoiding:

• showers or baths

• any kind of sweating

• touching or crossing limbs that might transfer product

• tight clothes, straps, or anything that could smudge the tan

In hot or humid weather, that’s a challenge. And if you have things to do - work, errands, workouts - you’re either forced to reschedule or risk ruining your tan.

Clothing limitations eat more of your day
Loose-fitting, dark clothes are required to avoid staining and streaking. That often means bringing a change of clothes to the salon and planning your outfit based on what won’t ruin your tan. If you’re going to work, school, or any public event, this can feel limiting or awkward.

Unexpected touch-ups add even more time
Spray tans can be inconsistent. Even with good technique, people often find:

• streaks down their legs

• uneven color on arms or hands

• missed spots on sides or underarms

• dark patches where skin creased or touched itself

That leads to emergency touch-ups at home - or worse, having to go back to the salon. Either way, it adds time and frustration to what was supposed to be a quick appointment.

Not ideal for last-minute events
Spray tans need hours to develop and another 24 hours before you see the final result. That means you’re planning ahead if you want your glow to show up at the right time. If an event pops up last minute, you’re either skipping the tan or rushing the process and hoping it works out.

When you really map out how long does a spray tan take, it becomes clear that it’s not a one-hour chore - it’s a multi-step routine that stretches across your day.

What to Use Instead of a Salon Spray Tan

Once you realize how long does a spray tan take - including prep, salon time, drying, and downtime - it makes sense to ask what you can use instead. People want the same glowing results without the hassle of scheduling appointments, driving across town, waiting in a robe, and planning their day around a tan they can’t touch for hours.

The idea of skipping the salon is appealing. But the question is, what’s the best alternative?

This section explores two major options people turn to when they want to avoid the salon - at-home tanning tech and traditional self-tanners. But the truth is, not every alternative lives up to the hype. Some promise time-saving benefits, but introduce other frustrations that end up costing you just as much time - if not more.

The Rise of At-Home Tanning Tech

Over the last few years, more people have looked to at-home solutions to take control of their tanning routine. On the surface, it seems like a win. You get your tan at home, no appointments required, and no travel or salon downtime. You apply it when it works for your schedule - and avoid the pressure of rushing through the experience in a spray booth. But the real test is in how these devices perform.

Many of the at-home tanning gadgets on the market fall short for a few key reasons:

• They still require rubbing in product by hand or using a mitt

• Coverage is inconsistent, especially in hard-to-reach areas

• The formula feels sticky and takes hours to dry

• The color results are hit or miss

• Application takes just as long as going to a salon

• They aren’t designed with skin health or long-term use in mind

These options often overpromise and underdeliver. People end up frustrated and go back to booking salon visits simply because the at-home tools don’t make the process as simple or as effective as they need it to be.

So when people wonder how long does a spray tan take compared to at-home options, the answer isn’t always in favor of DIY - unless the system is built to solve the real time and application problems.

That brings us to the other common choice: traditional self-tanners.

Why Traditional Self-Tanners Don’t Always Save Time

Most people who want to skip the salon end up reaching for a bottle of lotion, mousse, or a drugstore tanning spray. These products are everywhere, relatively inexpensive, and easy to throw in your cart during a regular shopping trip. But when you look closer, they rarely save time - and often cost you in other ways.

Here’s how traditional self-tanners actually slow you down:

1. Application takes longer than expected
Whether it’s a mousse or lotion, traditional self-tanners require you to apply product section by section. You’re rubbing it in with a mitt or your hands, trying not to miss any areas, and hoping it doesn’t turn blotchy. One full-body application often takes 15 to 30 minutes - not counting the time you’ll spend fixing mistakes or re-blending.

2. You have to wait hours before rinsing
These products usually need 6 to 8 hours to fully develop, which means you’re spending the rest of your day or night worrying about streaks, fabric stains, or messing up your tan while it’s still developing.

3. Mess and cleanup eat into your time
Tanner on your hands, on your clothes, on your bathroom floor - it all adds cleanup time. You’re also probably doing laundry more often to deal with stained towels or pillowcases. So even though you’re “saving” the time of going to the salon, you’re spending it managing the side effects.

4. Results are inconsistent
The biggest time-waster is when the tan doesn’t come out right. You over-applied, under-applied, missed a spot, or ended up with dark knees and elbows. That means exfoliating, reapplying, and starting over - all of which can take another 20 to 60 minutes.

5. You still have to plan ahead
Just like a salon spray tan, traditional self-tanners need time to develop before an event. If you have plans that night, you can’t apply at 5 p.m. and expect a full glow by 7. You still need to build in several hours of non-contact development time.

When you really compare how long does a spray tan take with how long a self-tanning routine takes at home, the time difference is often smaller than expected. The problem isn’t that people are lazy - it’s that the process is inefficient.

What people need is an option that genuinely saves time without sacrificing quality or skin health. Something that doesn’t just replace a salon visit, but improves on it.

That’s where a smarter approach comes in - one that removes the messy steps, shortens the application process, and delivers reliable results faster.

Meet the IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN: The Smart Way to Tan at Home

If you’ve ever tried to squeeze a spray tan into a busy day, you already know the challenge. What seems like a quick beauty fix actually stretches into hours of prep, travel, waiting, drying, and downtime. By the time the color fully develops, you’ve likely lost most of your day. When you break it down, how long does a spray tan take? A lot longer than the time spent in the booth.

That’s exactly what inspired us to create something better - smarter, faster, and more skin-friendly.

The IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN, the best at-home spray tan system isn’t just a replacement for the salon - it redefines what tanning at home should look like. It delivers the same glowing results, but with no appointments, no waiting room, and no mess. Just a smooth, even tan that fits into your schedule without getting in the way of it.

Touchless, Streak-Free, and 3x Faster Than a Salon Visit

Unlike traditional methods that involve rubbing in product by hand or relying on mitts and mirrors, the IONIQ ONE Sprayer, an at-home spray tan machine uses Magnetic Skin Technology. This breakthrough allows the mist to be pulled directly to your skin using a magnetic charge, wrapping your body in a perfectly even layer - no contact, no blending, and no missed spots.

Even hard-to-reach areas like your back, sides, and shoulders are fully covered. That means no asking for help, no twisting in front of a mirror, and no second coat needed to fix gaps.

You get a full-body tan in under three minutes. Not 30. Not 15. Three. And once applied, the formula dries almost instantly - no sticky layer, no transfer to clothes or sheets.

By eliminating the traditional steps that slow the process down - manual blending, drying stations, and development downtime - you’re able to tan quickly and get on with your day. This isn’t just a small time-saver. It’s a full shift in how tanning fits into your routine.

Fast, Clean Application with Consistent Results

The issue with most tanning options - whether salon-based or at home - is that they rely on guesswork. You’re left wondering if you applied enough product, if the color will look natural, or if it will develop evenly. You’re also dealing with long drying times and color transfer.

The IONIQ ONE Sprayer, the best at-home spray tan changes that.

Our aloe-infused, vegan formula sprays on clear and develops gradually over 6 to 8 hours. It delivers a natural-looking glow without the orange tint or sharp fade lines that many products leave behind. You don’t have to worry about your sheets, your clothes, or your furniture. And you don’t have to carve out half your day just to let your tan dry.

This is especially useful when time is short. If you’re heading to an event, traveling, or simply don’t want your beauty routine to dominate your schedule, the IONIQ system delivers consistent results quickly - with color that lasts 7 to 9 days and fades evenly.

Designed for Real Life

We know how frustrating it is to deal with stained towels, tan-streaked sheets, and color that rubs off by the end of the day. That’s why every part of the IONIQ experience was built to avoid the typical mess.

• The formula is completely colorless when applied

• It dries in seconds without a sticky finish

• There’s no guide color to stain your bedding or clothes

• You can wear your usual outfit right after tanning

The sprayer itself is cordless, splash-proof, and travel-ready. Whether you’re getting ready in your bathroom or packing light for a weekend away, it fits right into your lifestyle. You don’t need to block off your schedule. You just spray, let it develop naturally, and move on.

Each cartridge gives you 2–3 full-body applications, and the device includes a self-cleaning system that keeps it running smoothly between uses. No clogging, no mess, no complicated maintenance.

A True Answer to “How Long Does a Spray Tan Take?”

The problem with most tanning routines - salon or at home - isn’t just the total time. It’s how unpredictable the whole process can be. You plan for one hour, and it turns into four. You expect flawless color, and you get patchy knees and uneven fade. You want something simple, but end up managing cleanup, streaks, and stains.

We built IONIQ to cut through all of that.

You spend less time applying and less time waiting. And unlike most products, our results are consistent. You don’t need to extend development time hoping for a better payoff. The formula delivers a reliable tan, every time - without extra effort or overthinking.

Final Thoughts: Skip the Salon and Take Back Your Time

If you’ve ever tried to fit a spray tan into your week, you’ve probably asked the same thing as everyone else - how long does a spray tan take, really? And after factoring in the prep, the appointment, the drying time, and the post-care downtime, the answer usually adds up to hours, not minutes.

This makes the idea of a glowing, even tan feel more like a project than a part of your self-care routine. And that’s the problem. Tanning shouldn’t be complicated. It shouldn’t demand half your day or your full attention. It should be quick, easy, and something you can do on your own terms.

How the Right Tool Makes Tanning Simpler, Faster, and Cleaner

When it comes to beauty routines, time matters. If something takes too long, makes a mess, or interrupts your day, you’re less likely to stick with it. That’s where most spray tan options fall apart. They don’t fit real life. They demand planning, patience, and flexibility most people don’t have.

With the IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN, you take back control.

You’re not booking appointments or carving out hours to tan. You’re not dealing with traffic, sitting in a salon, or waiting around in loose clothes for your skin to dry. And you’re not waking up to stained bedding or patchy results.

Here’s how IONIQ reshapes the experience:

• Three-minute, full-body application

• Touchless, no-rub coverage with even results

• Fast-drying, colorless formula that doesn’t stain or stick

• Aloe-infused, skin-friendly ingredients made without parabens or silicones

• Easy 360° reach - no help needed

• Long-lasting color that fades cleanly over 7 to 9 days

You’re in and out in minutes. No waiting. No touch-ups. No surprises.

This isn’t just a tanning tool - it’s a system built to make the entire process simpler from start to finish. And the best part? It’s always ready when you are. Whether it’s for a weekend away, a last-minute dinner, or your weekly glow-up, IONIQ gives you back your time and delivers real results.

Try IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN and Glow on Your Terms

Ask yourself again - how long does a spray tan take? If your answer involves traffic, towel-staining, and hours of sitting around, there’s a better way.

IONIQ was created for people who want more than a tan - they want a system that works with their schedule and doesn’t get in the way. That’s why our technology isn’t just about performance. It’s about freedom.

You don’t need to choose between a salon-quality glow and your time. With IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN, an at-home spray tan system, you can have both.

The future of tanning is fast, clean, and built around you. No appointments. No mess. No compromises.

So go ahead. Glow smarter. Glow faster. Glow when you want.

References

1. Sunless Tanners & Bronzers – FDA
   https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/sunless-tanners-bronzers
    
2. A colorimetric comparison of sunless with natural skin tan – PLOS One
   https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0233816
   
   
3. Properties and safety of topical dihydroxyacetone in sunless tanning – PubMed
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37697919/
   
   
4. Sunless Tanning: A Safe Alternative to Sunbathing – Western Kentucky University
   https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?articleid=680&return=archive&view=article