Can you sleep on your side after a spray tan?

Author: Anastacio O'Hara  |  Last update: Thursday, October 23, 2025

Avoid sleeping on your stomach or sides: If possible, try to sleep on your back to minimize the amount of contact your tan has with the sheets. This can help prevent smudging and ensure your tan stays intact.

How should you sleep after a spray tan?

What is the best position to sleep in after a spray tan? Wear long, loose clothes to bed. Use long, loose pajama pants and a long, loose T-shirt. Cover your whole body to prevent overdeveloping in one area and underdeveloping in another. Touch your clothes rather than your skin to avoid staining.

How long after fake tan can I lay down?

Step 4: Allow Skin to Dry

After applying your self-tanner, you'll need to give the product time to dry and settle on your skin. Do not get dressed right away, wrap yourself in a towel, or lie down. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes before putting clothes on—and even then, wear loose-fitting attire.

How should I sleep with fake tan on?

What is the best position to sleep in after a spray tan? Wear long, loose clothes to bed. Use long, loose pajama pants and a long, loose T-shirt. Cover your whole body to prevent overdeveloping in one area and underdeveloping in another. Touch your clothes rather than your skin to avoid staining.

Can you cuddle after a spray tan?

Hot baths or showers are great during the cold Colorado months, but after getting a spray tan, try to cuddle up with some blankets and hot chocolate instead of relaxing in the tub. Just like exfoliating and using moisturizers, the water and heat will cause the tan to slide off of your skin.

How to prep for your spray tan

What are the don'ts after a spray tan?

What should I avoid after getting a spray tan? You should avoid bathing and activities that make you sweat heavily for at least 4 hours following a spray tan. And because chlorine can quickly break down a spray tan, we suggest avoiding chlorinated swimming pools entirely.

Do baths mess up spray tan?

Skip Hot Baths and Prolonged Showers

Hot water can be detrimental to your tan's lifespan. It can strip your skin of essential oils, causing your tan to fade more quickly. Opt for lukewarm showers and keep them brief. Additionally, avoid long soaks in hot baths or hot tubs, as they can also accelerate tan fading.

Will my fake tan come off when I sleep?

We all perspire while we sleep, and if you go to bed with a fresh sunless tan, where there is skin-on-skin contact it can cause a transfer of tan.

What happens if you don't wash off fake tan?

what happens if i forget to shower off the tan? the longer you keep the tan on, the darker it will get. however, some skin types may experience discoloration (looking a bit orange or yellow) if left on too long past around 8 hours. you may also get a streaky tan as you're more likely to rub or wash off some sections.

Can you sleep with loving tan on?

After you're done applying, you need to leave it on for two hours before washing it off. A ton of people told me to sleep with it overnight, but I just can't see how you would do that. After you apply the mousse, it's like your body is dipped in bronzer and it just gets everywhere.

Is it OK to leave fake tan on overnight?

Optimal Time to Shower After a Fake Tan

Timing your first rinse is key to achieving a flawless, streak-free glow. Wait 4-8 hours before showering to let your tan fully develop, but avoid leaving it on for more than 24 hours.

What is the aftercare of a spray tan?

Afterwards
  • Don't shower for 4-6 hours following your spray tan.
  • Don't exercise until after your first shower—at least four hours after you tan.
  • Shower using only shower gel and your hands.
  • After showering, apply our tan extenders to make your spray tan last longer!

What not to do after fake tanning?

AFTER THE TAN

Shower lightly in cold – lukewarm water for 45 seconds ONLY after your desired development time. Use plain water, don't use shower gels, scrubs, shampoos or loofah during the first 24 hours after your treatment. Pat your skin dry. Do not rub or scrub your skin.

Should I wear socks to bed after spray tan?

Avoid wearing a bra, socks or other restrictive clothing immediately after your spray tan session. The looser fitting the better to avoid any streaking as the tan is developing. Refrain from showering as long as possible, 8-12 hours minimum, up to 24 hours, but overnight is best.

How long does a spray tan take to settle in?

The time frame will vary depending on how much time you have to prepare but aim for 2 days to allow the colour to develop and settle on your skin.

When can you shower normally after spray tan?

To ensure the DHA (the tanning agent) has enough time to react with your skin for a rich, even color, we recommend waiting at least 12 hours before your first shower.

Does a natural tan get darker overnight?

Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.

How to make fake tan look natural?

  1. Step 1 - Exfoliate your Skin. Having gorgeous, clean skin is great but not if there are lots of dead skin cells determined to cling onto it! ...
  2. Step 2 - Cleanse your Skin. Before applying fake tan it's vitally important to have clean skin. ...
  3. Step 3 - Moisturising. ...
  4. Step 4 - Take care of your Hair Line and Eyebrows.

What happens if you sleep in your spray tan?

Yes! If you got a regular rinse tan you will be ok to leave the color on for 8-12 hours before rinsing. You'll want to keep covered up to prevent water drips, skin on skin contact, and any color transfer that may happen during this time.

What to wear to bed after fake tan?

We always recommend wearing loose dark clothing after any tanning application, which is why we have created our Bondi Babe Pyjamas. Designed to be a loose fit with a scoop neck to avoid creasing tan after dressing, our Bondi Babe Pyjamas are full length and ultra soft for the most comfortable post tanning experience.

What to sleep in after a tan?

Wear loose, dark clothing: Opt for loose-fitting, dark-colored clothing to sleep in after getting a spray tan. Tight clothing can rub against your skin and cause the tan to rub off unevenly. Dark clothing will also help to mask any potential smudges or stains that might occur while you sleep.

Do you spray tan naked?

No, you don't have to be naked when you spray tan. While some people prefer to be nude to avoid tan lines, you have the option to wear whatever is most comfortable for you—like a swimsuit or underwear. During your tan, bronzer could transfer to your clothing but don't worry!

How long after a spray tan can I wear a bra?

Wearing tight clothing, including bras with straps that can rub against your skin, can cause the tan to wear off unevenly or even come off in patches. To ensure that your spray tan looks its best and lasts as long as possible, it's generally recommended to wait at least 8-12 hours before wearing a bra.

What will mess up a spray tan?

Loofahs, washcloths, brushes, and body washes with microbeads are all going to hasten the tan's departure. Your first shower after your spray tan will likely result in a puddle of colored water around your drain, but this is normal. As you leave the shower, make sure to pat yourself dry with the towel, don't rub.

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