Will a spray tan cover stretch marks, scars or tattoos?

We would rather tell you that straight than have you expecting something we cannot deliver. But in sixteen years we have had a lot of people amazed at the difference, so here is what actually happens.

Stretch marks

This is the one we get asked about most, usually quite quietly, and it is the one where a tan helps most.

Stretch marks are usually lighter than the skin around them. When the surrounding skin goes darker, the contrast changes and they blend in far better. They do not disappear, but they stop being the first thing you see.

Older, silvery stretch marks take colour better than you would think and often blend really well.

Newer, reddish or purple ones do not take colour the same way. They can look slightly lighter against tanned skin rather than darker. Still an improvement on the contrast, just a different one.

Honestly? Most people are pleased. Plenty of our clients book specifically for this before a holiday or a wedding, and they come back.

Scars

It depends on the scar and how old it is.

Older, pale, flat scars usually take some colour and blend reasonably well.

Raised or keloid scars often take more colour and can end up looking slightly darker. Worth knowing before rather than after.

Fresh scars should be left alone. If it is still healing, still pink, or less than about a year old, we will not tan over it. We will work around it. Skin that is still repairing should not have product on it, and if you have had surgery recently, check with your doctor before booking anything.

Just tell us about any scars when we arrive. We are not being nosy, it means we can work around them or adjust what we are doing.

Tattoos

A spray tan sits on top of a tattoo. It will not damage it and it will not change it permanently.

What it does do is temporarily dull it a bit, the same way a real tan does. A bright colourful tattoo can look slightly muted for a few days until the tan fades. Black and grey tattoos are barely affected. Bright colours show it more.

Fresh tattoos are a no. If it is still healing we do not tan over it. Give it at least a few weeks and make sure it is fully healed. If you are not sure, ask your tattoo artist.

Got a tattoo you want kept clear? Just say and we will work around it.

What about everything else?

Cellulite. An even skin tone genuinely helps how it looks. It is one of the more common reasons people book before a holiday.

Veins. A tan tones down the contrast, so they are less obvious.

Uneven or patchy skin tone. This is what a spray tan is best at. Evening things out is the whole job.

Psoriasis, eczema or any broken skin. Tell us before we start. Product on broken or inflamed skin can sting and will not take evenly. If you are having a flare up it is usually better to wait, and if it is widespread, have a word with your GP or dermatologist first.

The honest bit

A spray tan is not makeup and it is not a cover up. It is an even layer of colour over the skin you already have.

What it is genuinely brilliant at is making everything look a bit more uniform, which is why people feel better in a swimsuit or a dress afterwards. That is the real reason most people book, even if they say it is for the holiday.

And for what it is worth, nobody is looking as closely at you as you are.

If you want to see the kind of finish we mean, have a look at our before and after page, or read a bit more about Angela if you are still deciding.