Can fake tan develop in 2 hours?

Author: Dr. Yvonne Carroll  |  Last update: Monday, August 11, 2025

For a quick tan with Erythrulose (see "Choose the Formula" section), you can shower in as little as 1-3 hours. Classic DHA formulas take longer to develop, so wait 4-8 hours before showering for a deeper tan.

Is 2 hours enough time for tan to develop?

Rinse after 1 hour for a light tan, 2 hours for a sunkissed glow, and 3 hours for a dark bronze. Your tan will continue to develop over the next 8 hours.

Will fake tan work after 2 hours?

Hi self tan specialist here :) recommended periods are 4-6 hrs or overnight so the tan can penetrate the skin and develop properly. If you need a shorter development time there's 1 hr express tans out there that you can only leave on for 1 hour - st tropez, bondi sands, bali body have them.

Can I get a good tan in 2 hours?

Most people tan within 1 to 2 hours, but factors like skin type, weather conditions, and the time of day will play a role. Burns and color may take time to develop, so don't assume you're not tanning if you don't see immediate results.

How quickly does fake tan develop?

Once applied, you can wash the tan off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper long-lasting tan leave on your skin for up 8 hours. It really is personal choice. You might have to test it out a few times to work out what suits you the best! For a deeper glow, we recommend letting your tan develop for 6-8 hours.

Best Fake Tan Routine At Home + Tanning Hacks You Need To Know

Does fake tan show up right away?

Will my self-tanner show up right away? Applying self-tanner will darken your skin immediately, but if the change seems too slight, do not continue to apply layers! Your tan will keep getting darker for the next 10 hours as the active ingredients react with the outer layer of your skin.

What fake tan develops the fastest?

Say hello to a sun-kissed glow in just 30 minutes. Become your best self in record time with Isle of Paradise's fastest ever developing formula. It's time to experience self-tanning on your own terms with Isle of Paradise's new Express Self-Tanning Mousse that develops in as little as 30 minutes.

Will tan develop in 1 hour?

Your tan will develop in as little as 1 hour for a light sun-kissed shade, 2 hours for a golden glow or 3+ hours for a deeper, darker bronzed tan.

How to make fake tan develop faster?

Use a hairdryer. Once you have the perfect coverage, grab your hairdryer to help it set. Be sure it's blowing cool air and move it along your body. Not only will this help the solution dry faster, but it'll also help to kick the tanning development process into overdrive.

Can I get tan in 1 minute?

No, not if you have light brown to dark brown skin.

If your skin is olive-colored to dark brown, you're probably going to need 40 to 60 minutes in the sun to start tanning. After that, you may develop a sunburn.

Does fake tan still develop after a shower?

If you showered after just a few hours, you might notice your skin is not as tanned as you'd expected. Don't fret! Your colour will continue to develop and darken for a few hours (and a spray tan takes up to 24 hours to develop fully).

Should you moisturize after fake tanning?

Once you have washed off your fake tan moisturise your skin daily to increase the longevity of your tan. Dry, dehydrated skin will cause your dead skin cells to shed quicker, taking the fake tan you worked so hard for with it. Use an oil-free moisturiser as oil can break down the product [2].

Do I wash fake tan off with soap?

do i need to shower off the tan with soap after it has been left on? for the first shower after tanning we recommend no soaps, lukewarm water and only a super quick (approx. 45 seconds) rinse so that the tanning actives can keep developing to their darkest potential.

Can self tan work in 2 hours?

Let the self-tanner develop from 2 hours to overnight, depending on how deep you like your tan. To remove the guide colour/bronzer, shower in warm water, then pat skin dry.

Does layering fake tan make it darker?

**Risk of Over-Tanning**: Applying a second layer can lead to a much darker and potentially unnatural appearance. This may result in an uneven or patchy finish, especially in areas where the product tends to gather.

How long does fake tan take to activate?

How long does it take for fake tan to develop? For a deeper and longer lasting glow, let your fake tan develop for 6-8 hours before washing it off. If you are going for a more natural glow, 2-3 hours is ideal. Just remember to avoid contact with water in the initial stages after applying fake tan to your face.

How to get the deepest fake tan?

For ultra-dark results wait until touch dry & apply a second full thick layer to your body. Tanning tip – Only apply sparsely to hands and feet.

Why is my fake tan not developing?

Moisturise! When you apply your tanner, make sure you're working with clean, dry skin. Skip the moisturiser (apart from on dry areas as a barrier), deodorant and perfume, as these products will interfere with your tan's development.

Is 3 hours enough for tan to develop?

1 hour - For a light and fresh, ever so natural fake tan glow. 2-3 hours - For a medium to warm organic spray tan. 4-5 hours - For a deep, dark holiday worthy gradual tan.

Does showering after tanning in the sun affect your tan?

After tanning, you will produce a little bit of sweat, but that's it. There is no reason to shower right away because water does not affect the tan. This is another myth that has been around for ages. The truth is, showering right after getting a tan will not cause staining of your skin.

Can tan develop in 30 minutes?

The longer you leave the product on your skin, the deeper your result will be. For a light to medium tan, rinse off after 30 minutes. For a deep tan, rinse off after 1 hour. For the deepest tan, rinse off after 2-3 hours.

Can fake tan develop in 1 hour?

It will develop in as little as one hour to reveal a light, natural glow, two hours for a medium look or three hours for a deeper glow.

How can I make my fake tan activate faster?

This is the important part when it comes to how to tan faster: depending on whether you're after a light, medium, or dark toned bronze, leave your self tan on for 1, 2, or 3 hours before rinsing in the shower. Your golden glow will continue to develop over the next 8 hours, leaving skin looking sensationally sunkissed.

Which body part tans the fastest?

Previous research by Rees has confirmed what sun worshippers already knew: that the upper back is much more likely to tan than the legs, and that the outsides of the arms go brown far quicker than the insides.

Previous article
What hair color is the hardest to remove?
Next article
Can microneedling work on the neck?