How Much Does A Spray Tan Cost | The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need
- Last Updated: June 8, 2023
If exposing your skin to the sun or going under tanning beds sound daunting to you, you may consider spray tanning as an alternative. However, you’re worried about how much a spray tan can cost. One thing for certain—there is no absolute answer to this question. To give you a rough estimate, the price of getting a spray tan done can go as low as $5 to as high as $100. Obviously it’s a hefty cost. If you’re wondering why so, there are several factors that determine how much a spray tan costs.

What Decides A Spray Tanning Price?
Here are some factors that determine how much a spray tanning session will cost:
- Quality and brand of spray tanning products
- Type of spray tan
- Desired tanning shade
- The type of tanning salon you’re visiting
Some Aspects to Factor in
- Bear in mind that spray tanning prices do vary depending on your location. Therefore it’s important to consult with your local salon before going straight into tanning.
- Think about whether you want to perform a DIY spray tan using self-tanning products or get it professionally done. The latter tends to cost more since you’re relying on the expertise of a trained professional.
- Getting a spray tan done at a salon may require you to splurge a little. But fret not, many spray tanning salons do offer packages and seasonal discounts that can help save you tons of money.
One of the pros of getting a spray tan over other tanning solutions is that you can find and use spray tanning products virtually anywhere. Therefore, you have the flexibility to get a spray tan done with added privacy.
Can You Save Money with an At-Home Spray Tan?
Let’s begin your spray tanning journey from the comfort of your own home. All you’ll ever need is to invest in the best spray tanning products that will last you for years to come. There are plenty of tanning solutions available you can choose from.
You can get a spray tan bottle for less than $10, but remember that cheap doesn’t always mean better. In this case especially, you’ll most likely end up with low quality self-tanning products. There are many lab-tested, quality products that cost around $30, and you might want to consider those instead.
1. Spray Tan Machine
If you’re looking to achieve a flawless, bronze glow without going through painful sunburns all year round, look no further than the best spray tan machines. One unit can cost you around $200 on average and you can use it for plenty of occasions. Consider it as a one-time investment that will surely give you the best bang for the buck.
With all the tanning options available, the cost for at-home self-tanning is on the lower end of the spectrum. With that, you can choose to do sunless tanning at home for roughly $15 per session.
2. Is Self-Tanning At Home Worth It?
If you’re an experienced self-tanner, you can definitely save up more money in performing the procedure at home. However, even a top dog can mess up sometimes. To be on the safe side, we still recommend relying on a spray tanning professional.
The idea of standing partially naked in-front of a stranger might not sound ideal to you, but most tanning technicians can handle the situation really well to make you less awkward. If that’s not enough to convince you, some salons even come with tanning booths dedicated to clients who demand privacy.
How Much Does a Mobile Spray Tan Cost?
Mobile spray tanning is a highly sought after method because it brings expert-level quality right to your home. This option lets you enjoy a convenient yet professionally-done tan session you would get in a tanning salon. With that being said, get ready to shell out anywhere between $50 and $150 per session. The high price is due to the equipment involved, such as a tanning tent, and not to mention the technician’s cost of travel.
If you wish to escape the hassle of staining the seats of your car, mobile tanning is the best solution for you.
Is It Worth Getting a Spray Tanning Done at the Salon?
As you step foot in your local salon, a staff member will consult you on the type of spray tan you’re looking for—either a tanning machine session or an airbrush spray—and charge you accordingly.
1. How Much Does it Cost to be Spray Tanned by a Machine?
If you’re wondering how much it entails for you to be spray tanned by a professional machine, be ready to pay an average cost of $30. Here’s a tip: don’t settle with ridiculously cheap sessions if you don’t want to be disappointed. This method can cost a lot more but the results you obtain will be close to perfection. Expect to see a natural, sunless tan with even coverage.
2. Is Airbrush Tan More Affordable?
Airbrush tanning offers you more flexibility to spray tan either your full body or certain parts of it. This method also gives you greater precision when it comes to highlighting and contouring your abs, chest, or any part of your body you wish to “tone”. If this fulfills your criteria, be reasy to spend a little more money, but rest assured that it’s worth the while. Its price highly varies, depending on your whereabouts, technician’s skills, and your desired area of treatment. On average, the price will fall anywhere between $30 and $80. Then again, the higher the airbrush spray tanning cost, the better the quality you can get. The quality also directly affects how long your spray tan will last.
How to Get Your Money’s Worth From the Spray Tan?
Now that we’ve covered all the bells and whistles that contribute to the cost of a spray tan, follow these tips to get your money’s worth from the session.
What to Do Before Spray Tan?
Here are some preparations you can go through prior to your spray tanning session:
- If you have body hair at your underarms, arms, and legs, make sure to wax first.
- Exfoliate and hydrate so your skin absorbs the tan solution more efficiently for a long-lasting effect.
- Avoid applying any deodorant, makeup, or moisturizer to your skin that would hinder the process of achieving your desired tan.
- The most effective way to obtain an even tan is to strip yourself naked. Otherwise, you can go in with disposable underwear.
- After the session, wear loose, dark clothing to avoid your clothes from touching and brushing your skin as it absorbs the tanning solution.
How to Maintain a Spray Tan?
You don’t want your money to go to waste after your tan session. With that, we’ve prepared some post-treatment tips you can use:
- Refrain from going to the gym, hot showers, spas, and other places that’ll most likely shed off the upper layer of your tanned skin.
- Hydrate your skin with a rich moisturizer every night to keep your tan intact.
- Blot, dab, or pat your towel on your skin after showering. Avoid rubbing the towel!
- After your tanning session, wait at least six hours before you apply makeup.
How Safe is a Spray Tan?
The biggest concern about getting a spray tan done is safety. After all, you don’t want to spend more money on hospital bills than your tan session. While your risk of getting skin cancer and premature aging is low, you’re still exposing your skin cells to some ingredients during spray tanning. Most tanning solutions are formulated with dihydroxyacetone or DHA, often found in plant sugar. This natural compound reacts with amino acids to bring about a temporary tan. While deemed non-toxic by the FDA, some studies revealed that it could potentially damage DNA and cause cancer. DHA found in lotions can only penetrate the outermost skin layer. Yet, you’re still at risk of inhaling it when mixed in spray-on self-tanners. To conclude, it’s smart to only have yourself tanned for special occasions to minimize the risks.
Bottom Line
Spray tanning is another great alternative to achieve tanned skin under the sun. Most salons are helmed with trained professionals that’ll do a fantastic job masking sure that your tan has even coverage and looks natural. If you deem a salon spray tan a tad bit too expensive for you, you can always resort to using a self-tanner, provided you know how to do it correctly.

Celine So
Be mindful of your words as they are impactful, which also explains why I am so fond of writing.