Can you fake tan without shaving your legs?

Author: Tamara Bayer MD  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

Spray tanning with hairy legs is absolutely your personal choice. However, bear in mind, excessive hair can hinder an even tan. It's recommended to remove unwanted body hair before the session for better results.

Can you put fake tan over hairy legs?

This is such a good question, and it makes sense as to why it is one of the most popular questions women have when it comes to self tanning or even spray tanning. Can you self tan or spray tan with hairy legs? The answer is yes!

What happens if you don't shave before self tanning?

No you don't need to shave. I don't shave my arms and they are decently hairy and I have no issues. Make sure you exfoliate well especially around the elbows and knees. Keep in mind though that any time of exfoliation and that includes shaving after tanning will help the tan fade faster.

Can I tan if I haven't shaved my legs?

It's time to squash a popular tanning myth… you don't have to wax or shave your entire body before fake tanning. While many people think that prior to applying any kind of tan, your body needs to be completely smooth and free of hair, that simply isn't the case.

Should you shave legs before fake tan?

When it comes to shaving before your spray tan, ideally you should shave at least 24 hours before your tan. The soonest you should shave before your tan is four hours, and make sure to end your shower with a nice cold rinse to close up your pores.

HOW TO REMOVE HAIR WITH A FAKE TAN ON | TIPS AND TRICKS BY A PRO SPRAY TAN ARTIST

How do you prepare your legs for fake tan?

Here's the ultimate five-step skin prep routine that will majorly improve your fake tan game.
  1. STEP ONE: EXFOLIATE. We all want our fake tan to look believable, but the most tell-tale sign of an at-home job is patchiness. ...
  2. STEP TWO: MOISTURISE. ...
  3. STEP THREE: CLEANSE. ...
  4. STEP FOUR: MOISTURISE AGAIN. ...
  5. STEP FIVE: REFRESH.

What not to do after self-tanning?

It is important not to wear tight clothing after applying fake tan as this can cause your tan to rub off or cause marks. This can make self-tanning in the morning more difficult as you must wear dark, loose clothing to avoid any transfer and you can't use deodorant or perfume.

Is it OK if I don't shave my legs?

So what do you have to keep in mind when letting your leg, underarm, bikini, or facial hair grow free? Honestly, not much. Experts agree that, for the most part, you don't have to put much additional effort into taking care of your skin once you stop shaving. In fact, you might notice some added skin benefits.

Can you self tan with stubble?

However, we recommend shaving 12-24 hours before you tan to let your skin settle. And at least the same amount of time after tanning to allow your colour to fully develop. Darker, coarser hair? It's recommended to tan while you have stubble and then shave the following day.

Why does fake tan not stick to my legs?

Is there any residue left on your calves from products like moisturiser, shaving foam or body oil? All these cosmetic products act as a barrier to fake tan and can prevent the skin from 'grabbing' colour.

How long does fake tan last?

Before we dive into tips on how to extend your sunless tan, you're probably wondering, “Just how long does a fake tan last?” On average, your skin retains self tanner for 5-7 days, but this period of longevity can vary based on many factors. Expired self tanning products, sensitive skin, and skin types are a few.

How to get rid of fake tan dots on legs?

Exfoliate

Use exfoliating mitts, loofah, or washcloth and gently rub your skin in circular motions to loosen the tan and exfoliate. Remove dead skin cells and remaining self-tanning residue with Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub and apply Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion for maximum nourishment and hydration.

Can I take a bath with self-tanner on?

BTAN products allow you to achieve a tan that lasts up to 5 days. It is essential to wait at least 4 hours before rinsing the excess of product, while in the following days you can shower and bathe.

Can you fake tan if you haven't shaved?

Spray tanning with hairy legs is absolutely your personal choice. However, bear in mind, excessive hair can hinder an even tan. It's recommended to remove unwanted body hair before the session for better results.

Can you tan through stubble?

If you can't bring yourself to shave it off completely, consider other options. You can opt for a shorter trim, like stubble. This will allow the sun's rays to make their way through your hair, and you can tan.

Should I moisturize before fake tan?

To keep the drier areas from going patchy, make sure you moisturise all over and pay extra special attention to these troublesome areas. Try to leave the moisturiser to sink in for at least half an hour before you start the application stage of your fake tan routine.

Should I shave my legs before I fake tan?

Shaving exfoliates the skin, leaving it supple and ready for bronzing, so it should be done before self-tanner is applied, just not right before since shaving can open pores and create cuts.

Does fake tan dye your eyelashes?

More often than not, beards will turn a light gingery colour if touched by the fake tan, eyebrows and eyelashes will lighten and the face will thereby lose a sense of structure.

How many girls don't shave their legs?

A century after these ad campaigns started, removal of leg and underarm hair by women in the U.S. is tremendously common and lack of removal is taboo in some circles. (Feminists of the 1970s and 1980s explicitly rejected shaving, though.) An estimated 80–99% of American women today remove hair from their bodies.

Do doctors care if you don't shave your legs?

Whether you choose to groom your pubic area or not, or if you forgot to shave your legs and your armpits before the appointment, your gynecologist couldn't care less. Their focus is purely on your health and well-being. They won't even notice.

How often should you shave your pubes as a female?

While some women shave every day to keep their bikini area smooth, we do not recommend it. Shaving every day can lead to ingrown hairs. It's best to give your skin a chance to recover and heal between shaving days. To keep the area smooth, aim to shave every two to three days.

Where do you not apply fake tan?

Miss out the knees and stop just above the ankles. Starting from your shoulders apply the fake tan to both shoulders and arms using the same circular and then vertical movements as above. Avoid the elbows and stop at the wrists.

How to self tan for beginners?

Follow these steps:
  1. Exfoliate. Use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin prior to applying a self-tanner. ...
  2. Dry your skin. ...
  3. Apply in sections. ...
  4. Wash your hands after each section. ...
  5. Blend at your wrists and ankles. ...
  6. Dilute over your joints. ...
  7. Give your skin time to dry. ...
  8. Apply sunscreen every day.

How do you sleep after fake tan?

Use a fan or adjust the temperature in your room to ensure a comfortable sleeping environment. Sleep on dark towels: Placing dark towels on your bed where your body will come in contact with the sheets can help absorb any excess tan solution and prevent it from transferring onto your bedding.

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