Can You Get a Spray Tan With a Sunburn? Let’s Talk About It
Let’s set the scene: You spent a little too long soaking up the sun without enough SPF, and now your skin is red, tender, and maybe even starting to peel. Your instinct might be to cover it up quickly with a spray tan. But before you book that appointment, let’s break down exactly why that’s not a good idea.
Why Spray Tanning Over a Sunburn Is a Recipe for Disaster
Your skin is in crisis mode.
When you’re sunburned, your skin is damaged. It’s inflamed, dehydrated, and actively trying to repair itself. Spray tan solution works by interacting with the outermost layer of skin cells—the exact ones your body is getting ready to shed. Applying a tan to that layer means it will look uneven, fade rapidly, and likely peel off in patches.
It won’t look good—or feel good.
Sunburned skin is extra sensitive. Spraying tanning solution on irritated skin can lead to discomfort, stinging, and even worsen inflammation. Not to mention the tan will grab unevenly, cling to dry patches, and highlight every flake and peel. That’s not a glow—it’s a mess.
You won’t get the results you want.
At AfterGlow, we don’t do half-baked tans or cover-ups that won’t last. Our standard is high-quality, even, long-lasting results. Tanning over a sunburn not only compromises that—it can actually delay your skin’s healing process.
So What Should You Do Instead?
Wait until your skin has healed. This usually takes about 5 to 7 days, depending on how severe the burn is. Let the redness subside and the peeling finish before you reschedule.
Hydrate aggressively. Drink lots of water and apply soothing, non-oily moisturizers or aloe to calm and replenish your skin.
Exfoliate gently once your skin is fully healed to remove any remaining dry or damaged skin cells. This creates a smooth base for your tan to develop evenly.
The takeaway: A spray tan is a luxury treatment that deserves healthy, balanced skin. Trying to tan over sunburned skin will only result in disappointment. Trust the process. Heal first—then come get the glow you actually want.
