Tanning Aftercare
Yes, achieving a great spray tan is all in the preparation of your skin. But it’s the tanning aftercare that determines how long your beautiful tan will last.
The key factors to remember are hydration, friction and exfoliants.
Hydration
- It is essential to moisturise daily, preferably 1-2 times a day (morning and night). This is to ensure that your skin remains hydrated as tanning solutions generally dry out the skin, regardless of whether they contain aloe vera or not. Maintaining well hydrated skin will prevent your tan from “cracking” and extend the life of your tan.
Friction
Friction is bad and should be avoided where possible as it literally sloughs off skin cells (and your precious tan).
- Showers should be as brief as possible, warm rather than hot and at a moderate pressure (not hard pressure) as heat and friction will shorten the duration of your tan.
- Never rub yourself dry with a towel as this will shed skin cells and remove your tan. Instead, gently pat your body dry so as to avoid any friction with your skin and the towel.
- Avoid wearing clothing that has tight straps, bands, etc. as these will rub against your skin and exfoliate it leaving white untanned patches.
- Avoid getting massages, especially ones which use baby oil as this is a known tan remover.
- If you need to shave your legs after you have had your tan, try to hold off for as long as possible as a razor will exfoliate the skin on your legs and remove some if not all or the tan. If shaving is a must, it is best to use an exfoliating glove or Riffi Mitt to very lightly exfoliate your legs all over, and then shave using the razor at half pressure rather than firm normal pressure. The light exfoliation will ensure that the tan comes off evenly on your legs whilst the light pressure shave will remove a minimal amount of tan. Follow by moisturising using a gradual tanner, tan extender moisturiser or moisturiser mixed with fake self-tanner to deepen the colour on your legs to match the rest of your body.
Exfoliants
Exfoliants are also bad, having the same effect as friction and are in more forms than you might realise.
- Avoid swimming in hot spas, salt water and chlorine pools, and the beach (watch out for the sand too!) where possible as these activities will decrease the life of your tan. If you must swim, keep it brief as the longer you are in the water, the more tan will be soaked away.
- Avoid having baths altogether as they will have the same effect as swimming.
- Try to minimise the use of products and only use an SLS-free body wash as washes or soaps that contain Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphate can prematurely strip away your tan.
- Do not use moisturiser (such as Nivea moisturising cream) or any products that contain the anti-aging chemical Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) as this is known to strip tan very quickly.
- Avoid spraying perfume directly onto your skin, particularly your chest, as this may cause your tan to go patchy. Spray it onto your clothing or hair instead.
How to extend the life of your tan
You can lengthen the life of your tan by using a tan extender moisturiser, a gradual tanner or applying a small amount of fake self-tanner to your own moisturiser. It is best to start doing this a few days after your tan to maintain the deepness of your tan only when it is starting to fade, rather than from the very first day of your tan. Using shimmer gels and bronzers on top of your tan will also help add life back to a fading tan, ideal for boosting your colour when you are going out.
- Towards the end of your tan (after 1-2 weeks depending on what brand you are wearing) be mindful of the type of shoes you wear as sweating combined with enclosed shoes can cause the tan around your feet and ankles to rub off. Where possible try to wear open toe non-restrictive footwear.
Whilst it is very important to use sunscreen as spray tans do not offer any UV protection, high UV protection 30+ sunscreens can also shorten the life of your tan. A way to get around this is to use lower protection sunscreens and opt for a hat, beach umbrella or cover-up instead.
Jump to:
Before your tan
During the tanning application
Caring for your tan afterwards
Tan removal