How Much Does a Spray Tan Cost?

Spray tanning has become one of the most popular beauty rituals for those seeking a bronzed glow without sun exposure. But let’s get real: how much does a spray tan actually cost? If you're shelling out money every few weeks to maintain your tan, it adds up faster than you think. This guide takes a close look at the real spray tan cost, the hidden extras, and whether there's a smarter way to tan (Spoiler alert: there is).

Why Spray Tans Are So Popular

Spray tanning has grown in popularity due to a mix of health, cultural, and lifestyle factors. As awareness of the dangers associated with UV exposure—such as premature aging and increased skin cancer risk—has increased, many individuals have opted to avoid traditional tanning beds and extended sunbathing.

Media and beauty standards have also influenced this shift. The portrayal of bronzed, glowing skin in social media, influencer content, and beauty campaigns has normalized the appearance of a tanned complexion as part of a well-groomed image. The result? A rise in demand for non-UV tanning options.

Finally, the growing beauty services industry, along with the availability of spray tans in salons, gyms, spas, and pop-up events, has made spray tanning more accessible to a wider audience. Whether driven by aesthetics or convenience, many people have incorporated spray tans into their regular grooming habits—regardless of the financial and time commitments involved.

Spray Tan Price: What to Expect at the Salon

While the idea of achieving a flawless tan in just minutes is appealing, it’s important to consider the financial investment required for regular spray tanning. When it comes to salon visits, the average cost of a spray tan ranges between $50 and $70 per session. This price can vary based on location, salon reputation, and type of spray tan (manual vs. automated booth). While this might seem reasonable for occasional use, the costs can quickly add up for those who want to maintain their tan on a regular basis.

In addition to the session fee, there are often hidden costs associated with salon spray tans. For example, tipping the technician is customary and can add another $10 - $15 to your total. You may also need to purchase maintenance products, such as moisturizers or tan extenders, to keep your tan looking fresh for as long as possible. If you’re not located near a salon, transportation costs can also become a factor. These additional expenses can make salon tanning a significant financial commitment over time. 

Time spent commuting to the salon and scheduling appointments can also be a drawback for those with packed schedules. For these reasons, many people are beginning to explore at-home tanning as a more affordable and convenient alternative. IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN offers professional-quality results at a fraction of the cost, making them an increasingly popular choice for beauty enthusiasts.

Types of Salon Spray Tans and Their Costs 

• Standard Booth Spray Tan: $25 - $40

• Custom Airbrush Tan: $50 - 75

• Luxury/Organic Tan: $70 - 100+

Additional Costs You Might Not Expect

• Tip for Technician: $10 - 15

• Commute/Travel Time: $5 - 10 in gas or rideshare fare

• Parking Fees: $3 - 10 in busy urban areas

• Time Spent: 1 to 2 hours per appointment, including travel and wait time

1-Year Spray Tan Cost Breakdown

Let’s say you get one spray tan per month:

• 12 Sessions at $60 average = $720

• Tips at $12 per session = $144

• Commute & Parking = $96 - 150

• Total Estimated Annual Cost = $960 - 1,200

Long-Term Financial Commitment

• Weekly spray tanning: 52 sessions × $50 - $70 = $2,600–$3,640/year

• Bi-weekly spray tanning: 26 sessions × $50 - $70 = $1,300 - $1,820/year

Add tips, travel, and time, and the total yearly cost on spray tanning can reach $3,682 - $6,264.

What Are You Really Paying For?

When you pay for a spray tan, you're not just covering the cost of the solution being sprayed on your skin. You're also paying for:

• Technician training and labor

• Salon rent and utilities

• Product and equipment costs

• A comfortable environment

Is It Worth It? Evaluating the Value of Salon Spray Tanning

When deciding whether salon spray tanning is worth the cost, it’s important to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks. For many, the convenience and professional results make it an attractive option, but there are downsides to consider as well.

Time Commitment

A salon visit involves more than just the 20 minutes spent getting the tan. You’ll need to factor in travel, wait times, and scheduling. For busy individuals, this can quickly become a hassle—especially if you're going every couple of weeks to maintain results.

Imperfect Results

Additionally, even with professional application, results aren’t always perfect. Streaks, patchiness, or uneven fading can still occur. Factors like skin type, preparation, and post-care all play a role, and not every salon experience guarantees flawless results. Do more expensive salons deliver better results? Not necessarily. You’re often paying for location and branding, not outcome. Missed spots, inconsistent results, and product buildup can still happen, even in premium salons.

Short Lifespan

Another challenge is the short lifespan of a spray tan. Most tans last only about a week, meaning frequent visits are necessary to maintain your glow. Combined with the hidden costs like tipping, travel expenses, and post-care products, the total investment can feel overwhelming for some.

Disadvantages of Salon Spray Tans That No One Talks About

1. Lack of Research on Product Safety

Although spray tanning is often marketed as a safer alternative to UV tanning, the truth is, there’s still a lot we don’t know about its long-term health effects. Most salon tanning solutions rely on a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This ingredient reacts with the outer layer of your skin to create a temporary tan. While DHA has been approved for external use by agencies like the FDA, this approval only addresses its safety when applied to the skin—not when inhaled or absorbed into the bloodstream. Unfortunately, the spray tan process makes it nearly impossible to avoid inhaling microscopic droplets of the solution, especially when it’s applied in a closed booth or poorly ventilated environment.

Another issue with spray tanning is the potential for skin sensitivities. Many tanning solutions contain added fragrances, preservatives, or other chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin or trigger allergic reactions. People with pre-existing skin conditions, like eczema or rosacea, may find that spray tanning worsens these issues. Even those without known sensitivities might experience itching, redness, or rashes if their skin reacts negatively to the formula.

What’s more, many spray tanning salons don’t disclose the full ingredient list of their tanning solutions. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for customers to know exactly what they’re putting on their skin. Without this information, it’s harder to make informed decisions about whether the ingredients align with your health, ethical, or environmental priorities.  

Smarter Solution:

The IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN uses a vegan, skin-friendly, aloe-infused formula, free from silicones, sulfates, and parabens. Plus, it uses a colorless mist — no risk of inhaling dye particles or staining your bathroom.

2. You Have to Keep Going Back

One of the most frustrating aspects of salon spray tanning is how short-lived the results are. On average, a spray tan will last about five to seven days before it starts to fade unevenly. This means that if you want to maintain a consistent glow, you’ll need to visit the salon at least once a week. For people with busy schedules, this level of commitment can quickly become overwhelming. Finding time to book and attend these appointments can feel like an annoying chore rather than a fun self-care activity.  

The logistics of getting to the salon can add to the hassle. Depending on where the salon is located, you might need to spend 30 minutes or more commuting back and forth. Then there’s the waiting time—salons can run behind schedule, especially during busy times like prom season or summer vacation. After your appointment, you’ll also need to wait for the tan to dry before getting dressed, which can extend the time commitment even further. Altogether, a single spray tan session can easily eat up 2–3 hours of your day.  

Smarter Solution:

With the IONIQ ONE, you get a full-body tan in under 3 minutes, no appointments required. Just turn it on and tan in your own bathroom.

3. Risk of Patchiness and Streaks After a Spray Tanning Session

When you go to a salon, you expect professional results—but even experienced technicians aren’t immune to mistakes. Streaks, patchy areas, or missed spots can still happen, and they’re often glaringly obvious once the tan has fully developed. One common cause of these issues is human error. Even the most skilled technician can accidentally apply too much or too little solution in certain areas, leading to an uneven appearance.  

Another major factor is how well you prepare your skin before the appointment. Salons often require customers to exfoliate and moisturize thoroughly before coming in. If you skip this step or don’t exfoliate evenly, the tanning solution may cling to dry patches or fail to absorb properly in areas where dead skin cells have built up. This can leave you with a blotchy, unnatural-looking tan.  

Automated spray booths, while convenient, come with their own set of challenges. These machines are pre-programmed to apply the solution in a specific pattern, which doesn’t always account for the unique contours of your body. Areas like the sides of your torso, underarms, or inner thighs are particularly prone to being missed. Unfortunately, once the tan is applied, there’s little you can do to fix these spots without scheduling another appointment.

Smarter Solution:

Magnetic Skin Technology means the IONIQ sprayer is actually pulled toward your skin, creating wrap-around, even coverage with no rubbing. Missed spots? Not with this tech.

4. Messy Application and Long Dry Times

One of the least pleasant parts of salon spray tanning is how messy the process can be. After your tan is applied, your skin will typically feel sticky or tacky until the solution fully dries. Depending on the type of formula used, this can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. During this time, you’ll need to avoid touching anything that might smudge the tan or transfer the solution onto other surfaces.  

Clothing stains are another common issue. Many tanning solutions are dark in color to help technicians see where they’ve applied the product. Unfortunately, this means the solution can easily transfer onto your clothes, especially if you’re wearing lighter colors. Salons usually recommend wearing loose, dark clothing to your appointment, but even then, there’s still a risk of stains. 

Even the salon itself isn’t immune to the mess. Despite using enclosed booths or tents, many spray tan setups still result in overspray—a fine mist of tanning solution that settles on nearby surfaces. Cleaning up this residue can be time-consuming and adds to the overall inconvenience of the process.

Smarter Solution:

The IONIQ ONE’s colorless formula dries fast and won’t stain your sheets, towels, or clothes. Apply and go.

The Better Value: At-Home Tanning with IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN

For those who find the costs and inconveniences of salon spray tanning too high, at-home tanning systems provide an appealing alternative. Products like the IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN offer several advantages over traditional salon visits.

One major benefit is cost savings over time. While the initial investment in an at-home device may seem high, it quickly pays for itself. A single device can provide multiple applications, making it far more affordable than repeated salon visits. Over the course of a year, this can save you hundreds of dollars.

Another advantage is convenience. At-home tanning eliminates the need for travel, scheduling appointments, or waiting at a salon. You can apply your tan whenever it fits into your schedule, whether that’s late at night, early in the morning, or right before an event.

The IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN doesn’t just address safety concerns—it also offers an unparalleled level of control and convenience. 

Hygiene is another area where the IONIQ ONE excels. Its self-cleaning system eliminates the need to worry about bacteria or residue that might accumulate in a shared salon setting. By taking your tanning routine into your own hands, you can avoid the unpredictable variables of salon visits, from unhygienic equipment to poorly trained technicians.

By combining cutting-edge technology with a focus on health and safety, the IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN provides a reliable, worry-free tanning experience. For those who want the benefits of a spray tan without the associated risks, this device offers a smart, modern solution.

At-Home vs. Salon: The Spray Tan Price Showdown

Why It’s Time to Ditch Spray Tanning Salon

The risks of streaks, patchiness, and missed spots are an unavoidable reality for many salon spray tans. Whether it’s due to technician error, poor preparation, or the limitations of traditional equipment, the results are often inconsistent. These imperfections don’t just ruin the look of your tan—they also waste your time and money.

With the IONIQ ONE Sprayer + TAN, you can finally take control of your tanning experience. Its cutting-edge technology ensures a flawless, streak-free finish every time, with even coverage and natural fading that lasts for days. Why rely on chance when you can guarantee perfection at home?

Ready to Make the Switch?  

Transitioning from salon tanning to at-home tanning might seem like a big change, but it’s actually a simple and rewarding shift. By investing in a device like the IONIQ ONE Sprayer, you’re taking control of your beauty routine in a way that saves time, money, and stress.  

With at-home tanning, you’re in charge. You decide when you tan, how dark you go, and how often you reapply. There’s no need to rely on someone else’s schedule or expertise—you have everything you need to achieve professional-quality results on your own terms.  

So, are you ready to reclaim your time, save money, and enjoy a flawless tan without the hassle? The future of tanning is here, and it’s waiting for you to take the leap.