Aftercare Communication: The Golden Rule of Spray Tanning

The truth is, a flawless tan starts before the first spray and lasts long after the client walks out your door. Even if you’ve perfected your spray tan technique, if your client shows up freshly moisturized, sweaty from the gym, or hops into the shower two hours too soon after their appointment, some of the best work can fall flat. That’s why clear, timely communication is one of the most paramount elements of your tanning business.

With Vagaro’s built-in tools for automated appointment emails and texts, you can easily guide clients through the prep and aftercare process. No extra work for you, just better results for them.

Join us as we break down why proper tanning aftercare communication matters, how to do it, and even give you plug-and-play messages you can start using today.

Why Clear Prep and Aftercare Instructions Are Crucial

Spray tans are equal parts art and science. Your client’s results depend on more than just your technique! From shaving too close to their appointment to wearing the wrong outfit afterward, there are plenty of ways a tan can go sideways. The solution is consistent, clear instructions that leave no room for guesswork.

When clients know exactly how to prepare and care for their tan, they’re more likely to follow through and more likely to love the results. That means fewer touch-ups, fewer complaints, and more rave reviews. It also saves you time troubleshooting or explaining what went wrong when someone shows up sticky with sunscreen or texts you three days later wondering why their legs look patchy.

Setting clear expectations upfront also establishes your professionalism. Instead of just spraying and praying (literally,) you’re guiding your clients through the full experience. You become the expert they trust, not just the service provider they book.

When to Communicate with Clients (Hint: More Than Once)

Spray tan success isn’t just about what you say, it’s when you say it. Most clients need more than a one-time reminder to remember the dos and don’ts of tanning prep and aftercare. Life gets busy, and even your most loyal clients can forget the fine print if it’s not front and center.

Here are the key moments to communicate with your clients:

• At Booking: This is your first chance to set expectations. Include prep instructions in your confirmation email or text so they know how to show up ready.

• 24–48 Hours Before the Appointment: Send a reminder with a short, friendly checklist—shave, exfoliate, no lotion, loose clothes. This gives them time to adjust their plans and avoid or reschedule anything that could sabotage their tanning results.

• Immediately After the Appointment: Reinforce the aftercare steps. A quick message can remind them to wait before rinsing, skip certain products, and avoid tight clothing that could rub the tan away.

• A Few Days After: Follow up to thank them, ask how their tan is holding up, and share rebooking info. This small gesture goes a long way in building loyalty.

Spacing out these messages makes them feel like helpful nudges—not spam—and keeps your clients feeling supported throughout the entire experience.

How Vagaro Makes Communication Easy (and Automatic)

You’re already wearing a dozen hats: artist, entrepreneur, boss, therapist, logistics manager. The last thing you need is to manually send out prep and aftercare reminders before every appointment.

That’s where Vagaro has your back.

With Vagaro, you can set up automated appointment emails and text messages that deliver the right info at the right time, without lifting a finger. You choose when messages go out (at booking, 24 hours before, after the appointment, etc.) and what they say, so your clients always stay in the loop.

Here’s how it works:

• Customize confirmation emails to include a full prep checklist.

• Add reminders that go out the day before with quick bullet points on how to prepare.

• Send automatic follow-ups after each appointment with aftercare tips and a link to rebook.

• Keep everything consistent, so every client gets the same high-level experience.

You only have to set it up once and it works for every appointment, every client, every time.

Ready-to-Use Prep & Aftercare Instructions

Clear instructions don’t have to be long or complicated, they just need to be timely, friendly, and easy to follow. Below, you’ll find two versions of spray tan prep and aftercare messaging: one for email and one for text.

You can copy and paste these directly into your editable Vagaro notifications, and customize them as needed for your brand.

Why It All Comes Back to Communication

Great spray tans start in the treatment room, but they’re remembered through the client experience. When you take the time to guide your clients before and after their appointments—even if it’s automated—you show them that you care about more than just the session. You care about the results, their confidence, and their loyalty.

With Vagaro, all of this happens behind the scenes. No more copy-pasting the same message or wondering if a client remembered the no-lotion rule. Once your messaging is set up, it runs like clockwork, making your business look polished and professional with almost no effort.

So whether you're a solo tanning artist or running a full spray tan studio, see what more you can achieve with a complimentary 30-day trial of Vagaro. We’re here for you every step of the way.