Once you've had your first post-tan shower, you can go back to wearing your regular clothes, including tighter-fitting or lighter-colored options.
I recommend waiting until after your first shower before jumping into jeans or tights. Whether I'm getting sprayed late at night right before going home to bed or spraying first thing in the morning before a busy day, my go-to post-tanning outfit is a loose, flowy, maxi type dress in black.
Whilst the tan is developing we advise to wear loose dark clothing following your spray tan. Tight clothing can rub the solution off before it has been able to fully develop which could lead to an uneven tan.
“It takes about 12 hours to set for a traditional spray tan, but it can take much less for an accelerated tan (anywhere from one to five hours), and 24 hours for both tans to fully develop.”
Patience is key when it comes to a spray tan. Give the tanning solution time to work its magic by waiting at least 8-12 hours before showering. Some tans may require longer development periods, so it's essential to follow your technician's specific recommendations.
Please note: the tan will continue to develop even after the shower, so do not be alarmed if you're not as tanned as you expect to be. The tan will continue to develop over the next 12-24 hours.
How long does fake tan last while swimming? Depending the type of tanning product you use and how dark it is, your fake tan usually lasts more than a week but less than 10 days.
When you're in the tanning 'tent' (a one-person pod with an open front) the therapist will usually start by applying the formula, dispersed through a spray gun, to your face. As advised, take a deep breath and close your eyes. You'll instantly notice, it's frikkin' cold.
Avoid shaving immediately before your spray tan session. Ideally, shave 24 hours prior to allow your skin to recover and avoid any potential irritation. Exfoliate gently: If you're shaving before tanning, gently exfoliate your skin using a mild scrub or exfoliating glove.
We recommend getting your spray tan 2 - 3 days before the big day. It's definitely best to avoid the wedding-eve as the tan will continue to develop for 24-48 hours, so will need some time for the full result to appear.
After getting a spray tan, it's important to allow the solution to fully develop on your skin before you do anything that could potentially disrupt the tan. 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.
Like most beauty services, these tend to be more expensive in big cities and metropolitan areas compared to suburban areas. For example, Bennett says that at her salon (which has locations in Scottsdale, Arizona and Los Angeles, California), spray tans start at $55 in Arizona and $110 in Los Angeles.
Tight clothes are a spray tan's biggest enemy. They can rub off the tan before it even has a chance to properly set into your skin, leading to patchy, uneven results that are far from the sun-kissed glow you were aiming for.
To get rid of fake tan quickly, try soaking in a warm bath with baby oil, followed by exfoliating with an exfoliating mitt.
Tight-fitting clothing and shoes such as boots, socks or tights might rub off some of the spray tan and cause uneven results—it's best to be safe and avoid these!
After your tan, you should wear loose-fitting clothing so your tan doesn't rub off or look uneven. The perfect outfit is a long, black t-shirt dress and sandals. You'll want to avoid wearing anything tight, like jeans, leggings, yoga pants, socks, or sneakers.
Wear dark-colored, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves to protect your fresh tan. Choose clothes made from breathable materials like cotton. Try garments like flowy skirts or maxi dresses, long-sleeve tees with loose or open necklines, and soft pants with elastic or drawstring waistbands.
Tanning lotions are fantastic for gliding across smooth skin but can be trickier to blend into a hairy chest, legs and arms. We recommend you opt for a tanning spray or mousse instead because the lighter texture is easier to buff into the skin even when applied over hairy areas.
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.
Fact: This is a common misconception that stems from early formulations of spray tans. Modern spray tanning solutions have come a long way, and many (including ours) use natural ingredients such as DHA (dihydroxyacetone) to create a beautiful, natural-looking tan.
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!
The easiest way to make your spray tan last longer is to keep topping it up. A gradual tanning lotion will keep your skin hydrated, while also enhancing your tan a little more each day.
Gratuities: For Airbrush Tanning, our Artists are providing a customized service and if you are happy with your personalized service, a gratuity of 18-20% is customary. Water: Drink lots of water. The more hydrated you are, the longer your tan will last.
Follow Aftercare Instructions
Another thing to keep in mind for your vacation - swimming with a spray tan is not recommended. Salt water and chlorine are incredibly drying on the skin and will cause the tan to fade quickly and can make the tan very blotchy.
After extensive testing, we determined the highest rated self-tanner to be the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It's an airy mousse that's easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural-looking glow. You can also customize the depth of color based on how long you leave it on your skin.