How Much Does a Spray Tan Cost? (Average Price Statistics)

spray tan

If you are interested in getting a spray and wondering how much does a spray tan cost, well we have you covered.

We knew the rough cost of a spray tan ourselves, but we wanted to go more in detail than that. So, we collected and contacted 239 salons from across America to find the real average cost.

The average cost of a spray tan in America (USA) is $44.91.

This is based on prices we collected from 239 salons across America. We collected prices from 5 salons from each states most populous cities where possible.

We always choose the cheapest price available from each salon based on a one-time visit. We did not consider discount for members or regular visits.

Spray tanning is both available by a spray tan machine and as an airbrush. We choose tanning salons with any kind of spray tan available regardless of if it was done by a machine or by an airbrush. We choose spray tanning at salons instead of mobile tanning.

Let’s now jump into our interesting findings on the prices of spray tanning below.

Prices of Spray Tanning

Firstly, when it comes to the spray tanning we found the average cost to be $44.91 or $45 if you like to round it up.

This is a little more than we had expected.

Most Expensive Places for a Spray Tan

The most expensive place to get a spray tan is Boston, Massachusetts with an average price of a staggering $68!

They were closely followed by New York City, New York with an average price of $61.80 and the 3rd most expensive was Honolulu, Hawaii with an average cost of $61.00!

LocationAverage Price
Boston, Massachusetts$68.00
New York City, New York$61.80
Honolulu, Hawaii$61.00
Sioux Falls, South Dakota$60.00
Los Angeles California$56.80

Cheapest Places for a Spray Tan

The cheapest place to get a spray tan is Charleston, West Virginia which a bargain price of $26.67!

The second cheapest place to get a spray tan was Providence, Rhode Island with a cost of $29.99. And in 3rd place Wichita, Kansas with a cost of $32.40.

LocationAverage Price
Charleston, West Virginia$26.67
Providence, Rhode Island$29.99
Wichita, Kansas$32.40
Fargo, North Dakota$34.50
Little Rock, Arkansas$34.80

Most Expensive Spray Tans

The most expensive spray tan in America we found was from the salon Bring Me Bronze based in Colorado, Denver at an intense cost of $89!

The second most expensive spray was from Tanspire based in Houston, Texas at a cost of $85 and thirdly Glow 2 Go based in New York City, New York at a cost of $85.

SalonLocationCost
Bring Me BronzeColorado, Denver$89.00
TanspireHouston, Texas$85.00
Glow 2 GoNew York City, New York$85.00

Cheapest Spray Tans

The cheapest spray tan we found in America was from Great Tanz in Kansas City, Missouri with an unbelievably cheap cost of only $12!

The 2nd most cheap tan was Sunsational Tanning in Providence Rhode Island with a cost of $19.95. And thirdly we have Serendipity WV in Charleston, West Virginia, Broad Ripple Tan in Indianapolis, Indiana, Tansoleil in Des Moines, Iowa plus 4 more salons at a price of $20.00.

SalonLocationCost
Great TanzKansas City, Missouri$12.00
Sunsational TanningProvidence, Rhode Island$19.95
Serendipity WVCharleston, West Virginia$20.00
TansoleilDes Moines, Iowa$20.00

Now we will talk about the different kinds of spray tanning and what you can expect for each of them to cost and also alternatives available.

What Is the Cost of Spray Tanning?

Whenever you think of getting a spray tan, it is natural to wonder about the cost of the whole process. The cost of the process can vary greatly from salon to salon. However, prices of spray tanning procedures begin at as low as $12 and can go up to even $89 for each session.

A majority of people think that spray tanning is only a handheld spray brush used in a studio. Although there are various types of spray tanning, and the cost of each procedure can be vary a lot.

To understand the cost of spray tanning, it is essential to understand the types of spray tanning available including airbrushing and even mobile tanning. Here are a few common types of spray tan.

Cost Of Spray Tanning Machine:

Each spray tan session done by a machine typically costs around $25-$35. The price depends significantly on the quality of the machine being used by the salon.

A more quality machine will ensure you get a deeper, more even tan as it extracts tanner out of the air to prevent it all from falling on your legs or feet. It will cost you more than an average or substandard machine.   

Cost Of Airbrush:

Airbrush is among the most popular choices of tanning enthusiasts. It tends to give high coverage and a professional tan. If you’re wondering how much is airbrush tanning going to cost, you will have to pay anywhere from $30 to $90 for it.

The cost depends on plenty of factors like the area you live in, the skills of the tanning specialist, and areas you wish to focus on.

With airbrush tanning, you can target specific body parts as well. So, if you’re going only for a touch-up to a certain area, it will cost you less than a full-body tan. 

Airbrush tanning tends to be more expensive than using a spray tan machine but arguably it offers a more smooth and consistent tan. For more on the comparison between airbrush tanning and spray tanning check our article – airbrush tan vs spray tan.

Cost Of Mobile Tanning:

If you have an upcoming event or occasion, mobile tanning can prove to be a great alternative. Given the increasing popularity, more and more mobile salons are also offering this service.

It is a more personalized process than an airbrush tan since you can get it right from the comfort of your space. Because of that, a mobile tan typically costs even more than an airbrush tan in a studio at around $60-70, but it can go up to $150 or more.

woman spray tanning

Which Factors Decide the Cost of Spray Tan?

Much like a majority of grooming and wellness services, the cost of spray tanning is not fixed. It tends to vary from salon to salon. You can search for “spray tan prices near me to learn more about the cost of the tanning process.

There are plenty of factors that can determine the cost of the procedure, some of them being:

Type of Spray Tan Salon

Location

Quality of Salon

Technician Experience and Skill

Kind of Spray Tan

Quality of Spray Machine/Gun

Brand of Spray Tan

Shade of Tan

How Much Spray Tan Alternatives Cost?

Getting a spray tan is a great option if you want a smooth, professional, and realistic tanned look. However, there are a few other alternatives available today. The cost of these alternatives are:

Tanning Beds

The most common choice after spray tan is tanning beds. You only have to spend around $15 for each tanning session in the tanning bed.

It exposes you to UV radiation which may hamper your skin and lead to severe damage. Tanning beds pose the threat of sunburns, photoaging, and even corneal damage. 

Self-Tanner

Self-tanner includes gels, creams, and lotions that you can easily apply at home to get a tan. They contain bronzer and DHA, which interact with the top layer of dead skin cells to create pigment. It gives you a short-lived but natural tan look.

There is a wide range of self-tanner products available today. Owing to it, the cost of these products is also varying. You can get a basic self-tanner for $6, while the high-end tanning mousse might cost you $100. On average, it will cost you around $10.

Since using a self-tanner is an inexpensive and convenient method, a majority of people prefer it over other alternatives.

Related Questions:

How Long Does a Spray Tan Last For?

Ideally, tanning salons advertise a spray tan to last for a period of 10 days. Although the period can easily depend on your skin type and how dark you are planning to go.

While lighter shades last for only around five days, medium tan shade may stay for at least seven to eight days.

It’s also important to mention showering, the more often you shower after a spray tan the quicker the tan will come off. If possible it’s a good idea to shower less often if you want to extend your tan as long as possible. For example if you typically shower once per day you can instead shower every other day to help extend the tan longer if required.

Are Spray Tans Worth the Money?

When compared to other methods of tanning, spray tans can prove to be an expensive alternative. While they might cost you more, the benefits can make it worth the cost.

They do not involve any skin damage or UV radiation, which ensures your skin stays young and healthy. Besides that, spray tan gives you a smooth and even look which might not be possible through other methods.    

What to Wear to Get a Spray Tan?

If you are planning to get a spray tan, it is essential to choose the right clothing to ensure you get better results. You must wear loose clothes that do not stick to your body like skirts, dresses, or jumpsuits. Make sure the clothes are dark in color to avoid getting your light shade clothes stained.

When it comes to footwear, go for open sandals or flip-flops. Avoid wearing jewelry to the spray tan appointment. For more on this check our article – what to wear to a spray tan.

Do They Spray Tan Your Face?

Yes, the spray tan also covers your face. When you get tanned, the expert will spray a tanning formula through a spray gun to your face. You must take a deep breath and keep your eyes completely closed until they spray tan your face. This is why when you go tanning you shouldn’t wear makeup as this can make the tan patchy and uneven, for more on this – can you tan with makeup on.

Can I Shave Before a Spray Tan?

If you want to shave before a spray tan, it must be done 24 hours before the appointment. It will give your skin enough time to cool down and ensure there is no irritation or rashes after the tanning process. 

How Many Days Before Vacation Should I Get a Spray Tan?

In case you are planning a trip, you must get the spray tan done 1-2 days prior to the trip. A spray tan looks best a day after the appointment so you can flaunt the smooth tan on your vacation. For more on this read our article – spray tan before vacation.

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