Now that your self-tanner is on, it's time to take care of it. Be patient and let it dry fully before you put on clothes, jump into bed, sit on the couch, etc. Essentially, leave it alone until it sinks in. This could take around 20 minutes.
Okay, I know you just want the answer, and that answer is YES! You can sit down after a spray tan or even a self tan. The only way you can mess up a fake tan after the application and before your first shower is by sweating or by getting water on yourself.
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.
However, it's important to avoid sitting on areas that may rub against your skin, such as leather chairs, for at least 6 hours. This is to prevent any transfer of the spray tan to the chair. If you need to sit down, it's best to use a towel or cloth to sit on.
Most self-tanners take about 20-30 minutes to dry, but it's a good idea to check the label on your specific product to be sure. Avoid getting the self-tanner wet or sweating while it's drying to ensure that it fully absorbs into your skin.
Regarding development time - you can leave your Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam on your skin for 1 - 8 hours, depending on how dark you like your tan. The longer you leave it on the darker you get.
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.
Hop in to bed. Our formula needs to develop over 8 hours, just enough time for the perfect beauty sleep. Wake up in the morning, rinse the excess tan off and you're good as gold!
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. During this time, steer clear of moisture—no sweating, workouts, or liquid foundation.
Fake tan usually stains bed sheets due to the guide colour within the formulation. The guide colour is the tint that immediately appears on the body when tan is applied – it's there to help you see where you've already applied and assist you achieving a flawless, even application.
Regardless of when the colour guide is washed off, we suggest not moisturising until after the 8 hour mark.
To ensure you get the best results from your spray tan and protect it effectively: Allow Time to Dry: After your spray tan, give yourself ample time to let it dry completely before sitting down. This will help minimize any risk of smudging or unevenness.
You can leave your self tan on for as long as you like, with each product having a different recommended timeframe. Some people prefer to sleep with it overnight to get a deeper glow.
Now that your self-tanner is on, it's time to take care of it. Be patient and let it dry fully before you put on clothes, jump into bed, sit on the couch, etc. Essentially, leave it alone until it sinks in. This could take around 20 minutes.
Apply your tan
The best time to self tan your face is in the evening, as it allows the product to develop overnight. Consider it a part of your evening skincare routine. Start by cleansing the skin and removing all traces of makeup. Next, lightly moisturize around your nostrils and other dry spots.
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.
Opt for Gentle, Moisturizing Products: Avoid harsh soaps and scrubs right after tanning. Instead, use a mild, hydrating body wash to prevent dryness and peeling, which can dull your tan. Pat Dry, Don't Rub: Vigorous towel drying can be too abrasive. Patting your skin dry is gentler and helps avoid exfoliating too much.
This seems easy enough, but a lot of people forget to shave before applying self tanner. However, you prefer to remove hair (waxing, shaving, laser, etc.) please do yourself a favor and do it before you apply product. Hair removal after-the-fact can remove your tan, leaving splotchy marks on your legs.
Make Sure Skin Is Completely Dry
Wait at least 10 minutes post-shower to ensure the skin has completely dried and there's no lingering moisture. Avoid tanning in the bathroom after you've showered as the residual steam could create a layer of moisture on the skin.
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].
Dhesthetics has 2 recommended body washes to use in the shower to help preserve your tan. Aveevo Daily Moisturizing body wash or Cetaphil Daily Nourishing body wash. All of these body washes have great ingredients in them that will help to preserve not only your tan, but keep your skin healthy.