Spray Tan vs. UV Tanning: Which Is Right for You?
Sometimes you want a glow for Saturday's wedding. Other times you want a warm base that builds over the season. Both are great reasons to come see us — and the right choice just depends on what you're after.
Two Paths to a Tan in Brandon
At Sun Bar Tanning Saloon, we've helped folks in Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, Seffner, and across greater Tampa get their glow for more than 20 years. We offer two main ways to do it: classic UV tanning beds and the VersaSpa sunless spray-tan booth. They work very differently, so let's walk through it.
How UV Tanning Works
Our UV beds use light to encourage your skin to develop its own color over time. We have seven different levels, so you can start gentle and work your way up as your skin responds. There are no contracts and no appointment needed — you can walk right in.
Because this is real UV exposure, it pays to be sensible. We'll talk with you about your skin type and help you find a comfortable starting level and a reasonable schedule. Going slow and steady tends to give a more even, natural-looking result than overdoing it. Moderation is the name of the game, and we're happy to guide you.
How the VersaSpa Spray Tan Works
The VersaSpa is an automated booth that applies an eco-certified DHA solution that reacts with the top layer of your skin to create color. There's no UV involved at all — it's purely a cosmetic bronzer. The spray itself takes about a minute, and your color keeps developing over the next several hours. Your first session is just $17.99.
It's streak-free and even, and since it's automated, you're in and out quickly. A lot of our customers love it for the speed alone.
Spray Tan vs. Tanning Bed: A Quick Comparison
Here's the short version when you're weighing sunless tan vs. UV:
- Speed: Spray tan takes about a minute in the booth and develops over a few hours. UV beds build color gradually over multiple sessions.
- UV exposure: Spray tan has none. UV beds use light, so moderation and skin-type guidance matter.
- How long it lasts: A spray tan typically lasts several days before it naturally fades. A UV base tan tends to last longer but needs upkeep visits to maintain.
- Best for a deadline: Spray tan wins when you need color for a specific date.
- Best for a steady glow: UV beds are popular for building and keeping a base over weeks.
- Commitment: Both are walk-in and contract-free at Sun Bar.
Results vary from person to person, but that's the general gist.
Which One Is Right for You?
Pick the VersaSpa Spray Tan If…
You've got an event on the calendar. Weddings, reunions, photo shoots, a big date, prom, or a vacation where you want to step off the plane already glowing — this is where the spray tan shines. When someone asks us for the best tan for an event, we almost always point them to the VersaSpa. You get color today, with no waiting around for it to build, and no UV.
Pick UV Tanning If…
You're after a base you can build and maintain over time, you like the routine of regular visits, or you're prepping skin ahead of a sunny trip. With seven levels to choose from, we can match the bed to where your skin is right now and adjust as you go.
And honestly? Plenty of folks use both — a base from the beds, topped with a fresh spray before the big day.
A Few Tips for a Great Spray Tan
If you go the VersaSpa route, a little prep goes a long way:
- Exfoliate and shave the day before, not right before, so your skin is smooth and ready.
- Come in clean with no lotion, makeup, deodorant, or oils — they can block the color.
- Wear loose, dark clothing and flip-flops afterward so nothing rubs while it sets.
- Wait to shower for the time we recommend so the color can fully develop.
- Moisturize daily afterward to keep your glow looking fresh and fade it evenly.
These small steps make a real difference in how smooth and long-lasting your results turn out.
Come See Us in Brandon
The best part of being a small, locally-owned shop is that you don't have to figure this out alone. Tell us about your skin and what you've got coming up, and we'll help you choose between a spray tan and the beds — no pressure, just neighborly advice.
Stop by Sun Bar Tanning Saloon at 1029 W Brandon Blvd, or call or text us at (813) 657-8266. Walk-ins are always welcome, and we'd love to help you find your glow.
