Bikini Competition 101: How to prepare and take off your bikini competition spray tan

At Skincare.com, our favorite way to tan is straight from the bottle - just say no to the harmful effects of the sun, kids. And while Earlier, we talked in detail about how to prepare the skin for artificial radiance., our favorite self-tanners for work, and how to fix any blunders — we wanted to touch on a tan you wouldn't wear on a day-to-day basis. With the rise in popularity of bikini fitness competitions and synonymous with their deep dark tan, we have found a personal trainer, fitness competition competitor and social media personality. Brianna Trainor from @BSKYFITNESS to find out how she prepares her skin for tanning, what to expect, and exactly how to remove that contest color - after you win big, of course!

Competitors in bikini fitness competitions are notorious for their dark competition tans, which they use to accentuate their rock-hard abs. But many competitors aren't sure if they should shave before or after tanning and how exactly they should prepare their skin for such intense color. Trainor's approach? Exfoliation. “I prep my skin by exfoliating it daily a week before tanning,” she says. “I don't use anything out of the ordinary as a body wash because oils and fragrances can affect the tan. I use exfoliating gloves and shave the night before [application].” You heard it here guys, shave before you spray!

When it comes to the actual spray session, this is not done in a traditional booth. “The application runs in these little modules,” Traynor explains. “You get undressed and the tanning bed tells you to take different positions while she sprays your tan – there are probably 15 different positions! They spritz you 2-3 times and also touch up because you'll ruin your tan, I can guarantee that."

Now that you're literally a tanned goddess, how can you keep it that way so that by the time you get on stage there are no streaks? “You should wear long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your tan,” Traynor says.

Once the competition is over, it's time to get rid of that glow. Unlike your everyday run-of-the-mill self-tanner, this won't be a walk in the park. “Sunburn is not easy to get rid of,” she warns. “It gets really patchy and not attractive. I take an Epsom salt bath and exfoliate every day.” Note: Exfoliating can be rough - no pun intended - on your skin. Be sure to moisturize your skin after exfoliating to keep it hydrated..