Spray tan is a great alternative to sunbathing, where your skin can experience long-term cell damage, and is also performed by a professional, so your results are usually better than with self-tanner. Because this process is more professional, is does cost more, so you may be wondering: how much does a spray tan cost? Here’s what you need to know.
How much does spray tan cost?
When going to get a spray tan in a salon, you should expect to pay around $25 – $50 for a single session, and this can vary between salons depending on the factors mentioned above. Some salons also offer mobile and at-home sessions, which usually cost more than the regular in-store session due to the travelling and demand.
Different spray tans cost different prices, depending on factors such as location, luxury, reputation, and individual product or person. There are so many options out there, so it’s good to do your research, and evaluate different options before jumping in. Equally, you should be prepared to spend a fair amount on a good, high-quality professional spray tan as it is an expensive process in itself and you will have to maintain it afterward.
Maintaining your spray tan is something we won’t go into great detail about at the moment, but it’s very important in order to make your spray tan last as long as possible. There’s no problem with it lasting a shorter time, but you’ll have to understand that this will mean more visits which equals more money spent.
Spray tan cost comparison table
Is yearly access worth it?
Many spray tanning salons offer yearly access, which is essentially a members’ scheme for which you pay annually and sometimes receive perks and additional benefits, as well as unlimited spray tans throughout the year.
If you use a spray tan salon regularly, yearly membership can save you lots of money overall, and it is a good way to have your year prepaid, so there’s one less thing you have to worry about spending money on – yes, spray tans are quite expensive, especially when you add up the prices of regular visits.
However, if you don’t use the spray tanning salon often, perhaps you use self-tanner or you only top up your tan on special occasions, yearly membership may not be worth the money and it might be better to just pay for each individual visit as it happens. Another thing to bear in mind is that a yearly membership is a commitment with only one salon, so you should only really start it up if you know that you won’t be changing your salon any time soon.
For example, Sun Tan City offer a yearly membership of $399, which may sound like a lot at first, but it comes with perks, and is equivalent to about 11.5 regular spray tans so, even if you only went once a month, you’re still saving some money!
Some salons also offer bundle deals, where you pay upfront for 5 or 10 spray tans, and every time you use one of these, it’s free until they’ve all been used. Say, for example, in Sobe Tan by Fabiola, a regular full-body tan is $60, and it’s $250 for 5 (saving you $50) or $470 for 10 (saving you $130)!
Salons to consider
There are also some well-renowned, incredibly professional salons which have built up a strong reputation for themselves through their happy customers who have been pleased with their results. If you are struggling to find a salon which you are impressed with, or you just don’t know where to start, have a look at some of these recommendations and search for ones near you.
Remember, these aren’t the only tanning salons you can go to, and there are many others which may be just as good (or even better) for you, but all of the ones listed below have high-quality processes and products as well as great reviews.
- Sun Tan City – this spray tanning company is quite popular and has many stores spread across the USA. The spray tan application is not too expensive, and they always have promotions and deals on to help you save even more money.
- Valet Tans – with a variety of store locations in Miami and New York, as well as mobile spray tans available, valet tans also have a range of different spray tan options to offer. And they’re loved by celebrities!
- Pradas Glow – don’t be fooled by the newer company, Pradas Glow, as Kristyn Pradas has been in the spray tan industry for years and is the personal spray tanner for the like of Victoria’s Secret angels and other celebrities. Now you can actually copy that tan!
- Sobe Tan – despite their smaller choice of salons, Sobe Tan is a go-to for so many celebrities including Kim Kardashian and more. The professional experience is completely enjoyable throughout the entire process.
- Sugared and Bronzed – with many salons in California and New York, Sugared and Bronzed are a well-established brand who offer both spray tanning services as well as sugaring, a natural alternative to waxing.
Should I rather buy my own spray tan kit?
Spray tan salons aren’t your only option, and you can choose to use a spray tan which you apply yourself. There are both advantages and disadvantages of doing so, but it all depends on you, your lifestyle, and what you find works best. If you think that using your own spray tan kit seems like a better option to suit you, by all means try it out!
One of the first things you should keep in mind if you are considering purchasing your own spray tan kit is the quality. As with all tanning products, there is a risk of disappointment involved, which isn’t there if you decide to go to a salon. Granted, a salon may not be perfect, but the people who perform the spray tans are professional, and the business wouldn’t be continuing if they didn’t have a good reputation.
Another thing, which is probably what most people first think of, is the skill required to apply a spray tan. Self-tanner can be difficult enough for some people to apply, and a spray tan is arguably much harder. This is a factor which is definitely worth noting, as there’s no point in buying a spray tanning kit if you can’t use it.
- BUNDLE INCLUDES (2 items) : 1 - Oasis Spray Tanning Machine, 1 - Norvell Cosmo 8 oz tanning solution is a proprietary blend of Norvell's hottest solutions ...Venetian and Dark.
- FULL SIZE POWER: Lightweight, compact, mobile -- all-in-one take anywhere on the go system! No hoses, no bulky cabinets, and performance rivaling full size spray tan machines.. The Norvell Oasis, a professionally inspired spray tan gun integrated with a powerful mini turbine, is a spray tanning device like no other. Oasis is a powerful, compact cosmetic tool as easy to operate as a hair dryer. Its sleek spa appearance and graceful designer lines fit in at home or in a sophisticated salon.
- Quick Connect Hose - Easily remove and attach the replacement nozzle with quick connect technology.
- Adjustable Flow - The Bronze Tan spray tan machine replacement gun for HVLP spray tanning solution is adjustable for a wider or more concentrated flow.
- Top-of-the-Line Spray Tan Gun - Experience unmatched precision with Bronze Tan's professional airbrush tan machine, engineered for spray tan business owners seeking superior performance and reliability.
- Flawless Sunless Tan - Achieve the perfect even tan with our airbrush tanning kit, designed for effortless application and easy cleanup, ensuring a seamless, natural-looking glow every time.
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: Norvell M-1000 HVLP Mobile Spray System; Norvell Tanning Handheld Solutions - Tuscan Plus 8oz, Venetian 8oz and Dark 8oz; Norvell Training Program.
- PROFESSIONAL #1 BRAND: Norvell Sunless Rated #1 Professional Sunless Tanning Brand by Professional Spray Tan Artists/Technicians October 2017 (Research conducted by Fieldwork/Webwork International Inc., a global leading market research company).
- FX Design 2.0 Replacement Spray Tan Gun features a light weight, ergonomic design.
- Works with: Fascination Spray Tanning Machine, Onyx Spray Tanning Machine, or ANY TANNING MACHINE WITH A QUICK CONNECT HOSE.
If you click Buy on Amazon and make a purchase, I'll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
If you can’t use a spray tanning kit yet, but would still like to, you can always learn the basics and practice over time. This is up to you, of course, but you should be prepared for a less professional spray tan than in a salon, especially for the first few times you do it.
On the other hand, you may decide that doing your spray tan yourself is the way forward, as there are many reasons for this too. Obviously, the first is the price, and the more times you get a spray tan, the more money you’ll save. At first, you’ll have to spend a little extra to purchase the entire kit, plus the tanning products, but it will save much more money in the long run.
Another reason you may choose to do your own spray tan is because of the control you have. As mentioned, it will take a bit of getting used to, but once you’ve nailed the basics, you are in complete control of how much you use, how evenly it is applied, and fill in any missed areas. This depends on your individual personality, as some people like to have this control of their own, while others would rather it be someone else.
Finally, spray tanning yourself is much more convenient than going to a salon, as long as you’re familiar with the machine and products. There’s no need to worry about booking an appointment, or stressing if you’re running late for it, as you can do everything in the comfort of your own home. Some people also don’t feel comfortable wearing their underwear while someone gives them a spray tan but doing it at home gives you only the presence of yourself (or someone who is helping you!).
If you do decide to make the splurge on your very own spray tanning kit, I personally recommend this Norvell’s Sunless Kit. It costs about $300 and comes with everything you need for your very first spray tan. To put this into context, this is the equivalent of about 8.5 regular spray tanning sessions at Sun Tan City, a pretty averagely-priced company.
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: Norvell M-1000 HVLP Mobile Spray System; Norvell Tanning Handheld Solutions - Tuscan Plus 8oz, Venetian 8oz and Dark 8oz; Norvell Training Program.
- PROFESSIONAL #1 BRAND: Norvell Sunless Rated #1 Professional Sunless Tanning Brand by Professional Spray Tan Artists/Technicians October 2017 (Research conducted by Fieldwork/Webwork International Inc., a global leading market research company).
If you click Buy on Amazon and make a purchase, I'll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Also read:
What Brand of Spray Tan is Best? (Top Picks)
What Do You Wear After A Spray Tan in Winter? (Before & After)
Final thoughts
Spray tanning is a more expensive (compared to self-tanning mousses), but also more professional and safe approach to your dream summer skin. The world of spray tans goes deeper than you may think, and there are so many salons and options you can choose based on your personal preferences, such as colour, process, product, or price.
To put it into short, spray tans aren’t cheap, but they’re still worth it for anyone wondering whether they should make the splurge.
