Spray Tan & Airbrush Tanning Consent Form: What to Include (+ Template)
What a spray tanning consent form must include — DHA disclosures, intake questions, aftercare acknowledgment, and a section-by-section template for airbrush tanning services.
A spray tan seems like the lowest-risk service in the beauty world — until a client has a DHA reaction, discovers mid-session that the solution stains their new extensions, or claims after the fact that nobody warned them about breathing precautions. A proper spray tanning consent form is a two-minute step that protects your business from the one appointment in a hundred that goes sideways.
This guide covers what a spray tan or airbrush tanning consent form must include, the intake questions that actually matter, and a section-by-section template you can use today.
Why tanning services need signed consent
The active ingredient in virtually all spray and airbrush tanning solutions is DHA (dihydroxyacetone). The FDA approves DHA for external application — but spray application creates mist, and the FDA explicitly recommends protecting the eyes, lips, and mucous membranes and avoiding inhalation. That regulatory nuance is exactly why documented, informed consent matters: you need a record that the client was told about protective measures and chose to proceed.
Add allergic reactions, skin sensitivities, pregnancy questions, and stained clothing disputes, and the consent form earns its place in every appointment.
What an airbrush tanning intake form should ask
- Contact details — name, phone, email, date of birth.
- Skin history — sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, open cuts or rashes, recent waxing or exfoliation (freshly waxed skin absorbs unevenly).
- Allergies — DHA reactions from previous tans, fragrance sensitivities, latex (prep products), nut-derived ingredients in some solutions.
- Pregnancy and nursing — most artists require a doctor's OK or decline service; your form should document the answer either way.
- Medications — photosensitizing medications and recent retinoid or acid use affect results and irritation risk.
- Recent services — lash extensions, brow tints, fresh tattoos (most artists avoid overspraying new ink).
- Communication consent — a checkbox for appointment reminders by text, collected properly at signing.
What the consent section must disclose
| Disclosure | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| DHA safety guidance | External-use approval; eye/lip/mucous-membrane protection and breathing precautions offered (nose plugs, eye protection, ventilation) |
| Reaction possibility | Redness, itching, or contact dermatitis is possible even without prior reactions; a patch test is available on request |
| Results vary | Skin type, prep, and aftercare change the outcome — no guaranteed shade or duration |
| Staining | Solution can transfer to clothing, bedding, and light upholstery for several hours |
| Aftercare acknowledgment | Client received instructions (dry time, first shower, moisturizing) and understands results depend on following them |
| Photo consent (optional) | Separate, optional permission for before/after photos |
Close with the standard consent language: the client had the opportunity to ask questions, understands the risks described, and consents to the service — followed by a signature and date.
Spray tan consent form template (section by section)
- Client information — contact fields plus emergency contact.
- Health & skin questionnaire — the intake questions above, in yes/no format with room for detail.
- Service disclosures — the table above as plain-language paragraphs.
- Aftercare acknowledgment — initialed separately, so it can't be claimed unread.
- Photo & communication consent — optional checkboxes, each its own line.
- Signature and date — plus a parent/guardian line if you serve minors.
Paper forms fail exactly when you need them
A signed paper form protects you only if you can find it, read it, and prove it wasn't altered. Digital consent forms fix all three: clients fill the form on their own phone from a QR code before the appointment, every record is searchable and encrypted, and a tamper-proof audit trail shows exactly what was signed and when. With Consentify, you can import your current paper form with AI in minutes — see how salons use it on the beauty & wellness page, or read the esthetician consent form guide for the broader intake picture. The free plan covers your three most-used forms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a consent form for spray tanning?
Yes. DHA carries FDA guidance about eyes, lips, and inhalation; reactions and disputes happen. A signed form documenting disclosures and health answers is your protection — and it looks professional.
Should airbrush and booth tanning use the same form?
The core disclosures are identical (both are DHA application). Airbrush services should add technician-proximity notes; booth services should reference the equipment's protective-gear instructions.
Can clients sign the tanning consent form before arriving?
With digital forms, yes — send a link or QR code and clients complete everything on their phone before they walk in. No app needed on their side.
What about clients who are pregnant?
Document the disclosure and require a physician's approval, or decline the service — either way, the form should record the conversation. Many artists offer patch tests as an alternative first step.
How long should I keep signed tanning waivers?
Commonly 3–7 years depending on your state's statute of limitations — confirm with your insurer. Digital storage makes retention automatic.