Spray Tan Artists: Here’s How to Automate Client Communication & Send Prep Instructions
All spray tan artists know their clients’ tans can only be as flawless as their prep and aftercare. You can apply the best DHA in the business with the most beautiful contour, but if they show up in tight jeans and leave to hit a hot yoga class afterward, your artistry doesn’t stand a chance.
The solution? Automate your communication and keep your clients glowing and informed using Vagaro.
If you’re not already using Vagaro (the scheduling software for beauty pros who like things easy, branded, and buttoned-up), this is your nudge. If you are using it but haven’t customized your prep and aftercare communication, we’re here to help.
Here’s exactly how to use Vagaro to deliver your prep, aftercare, and dos and don’t’s via text, email, forms, and within your service descriptions without sliding into every client’s DMs manually.
First Thing’s First: Here’s Prep & Aftercare Instructions for Your Clients…
Copy and paste the fool-proof instructions below to send for all your clients to ensure a flawless glow!
Before Your Appointment:
Schedule smart the week of your appointment: Get all other beauty treatments done before your tan to avoid disrupting your glow.
3+ days before: Massages & facials
1–2 days before: Manis, pedis, waxing
24 hours before your appointment:
Exfoliate thoroughly (oil-free scrub only!)
Remove all unwanted hair
This gives your skin time to return to its natural pH, which means better, longer-lasting results
Day of your appointment:
Arrive with clean, dry skin
No lotions, perfumes, oils, deodorant, or makeup
Wear loose, dark clothing—save the skintight look for tomorrow
During Your Appointment:
We’ll chat about your tan goals, I’ll custom mix your glow, and you’ll get a luxury mist that takes 30 minutes or less.
Wear whatever makes you comfortable:
Nothing
Undies/disposables
Bathing suit
After Your Appointment:
Same day:
Wait the discussed time to rinse (no soap!)
Stay dry—no sweating, water, or touching your skin
Keep wearing loose clothes until after you rinse
Next day:
Avoid soap, lotion, and exfoliants for at least 24 hours
DHA continues to develop = max tan payoff
How to Maintain Your Tan:
Moisturize daily with tan-safe moisturizers
Avoid long baths, pools, hot tubs, shaving, and exfoliating
Skip anything with mineral oils, alcohol, fragrance, or sulfates
Want to stay bronzed? Exfoliate once it fades and book your next glow-up!
Here are 4 Ways to Send Automated Prep & Aftercare Instructions in Vagaro
Here’s your guide to automating prep and aftercare instructions
1. Send your clients booking confirmation emails that include prep & aftercare instructions:
Where to go in Vagaro:
Settings > Email & Text Notifications > Include this message in appointment emails
What to do:
Scroll to Include this message in your appointment emails
Add your spray tan prep instructions in the custom message box
Keep it fun, concise, and client-friendly
2. Send your clients reminder texts leading up to their appointment:
Where to go in Vagaro:
Marketing > Email & Text Marketing > Create Campaign
What to do:
Set up a text campaign to send 1-2 days before the appointment
Choose your spray tan service as the trigger
Add a short prep checklist in the message
Sample text:
“Your appointment is almost here! Don’t forget to exfoliate today and skip deodorant, lotions, and wear dark loose clothing tomorrow!”
3. Automatically generate client release forms (will link first article once it’s live) & prep & aftercare instructions using Vagaro’s forms option:
Where to go in Vagaro:
Forms > Create New Form
What to do:
Create a new form titled “Spray Tan Prep & Aftercare Guide” and list the above instructions in the form
Attach the form to your spray tan services
Choose “Form is mandatory when booking”
Pro tip: Use the same form to gather client consent or skin details if needed!
4. List prep & aftercare instructions in each service’s description to set expectations upon booking:
Where to go in Vagaro:
Settings > Service/Class Menu > Select Your Spray Tan Service > Edit Description
What to do:
Add a quick prep summary in the service description so clients see it before they even book
Sample description add-on:
Prep: Exfoliate 24 hours before, no lotion/oils on tan day, wear loose dark clothing. Aftercare instructions provided post-appointment.
Pro Tip: Use the same core checklist across all platforms (email, text, form, service page) so clients get the info multiple times—but it always feels familiar.
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