How long before vacation should I fake tan?

Author: Mr. Demarco Skiles  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

You want a fresh layer of skin so your tan fully absorbs and last longer! I always recommend tanning two days before your event/trip, JUST in case you need to do touch ups or want time to apply another layer to darken the tan.

How long before vacation should I start tanning?

If you choose UV tanning, start 4-6 weeks for best results before you travel to reach your color goals. If you're new to tanning, your skin may not be ready for the sunless beds quite yet. Start at a lower time and increase time with each session to avoid overexposure.

How far in advance can you fake tan?

No one wants to awake on the day of a special event, wash off their tan and reveal a streaky, blotchy-looking fake tan. We'd recommend tanning a couple of days before your special occasion. This will give your golden colour time to settle and offers an opportunity to rectify any potential mistakes.

How long should you get a fake tan before an event?

4. DON'T fake tan the day of an event or occasion. The optimum time to have a salon tan or self tan before an event is one to two days beforehand. The colour will develop over 48 hours from the time of spray tan.

Is it worth getting a spray tan before going on holiday?

So in answer to the questions I get asked, Yes 100% get a spray tan before your holiday, I can't recommend it enough. It won't go streaky in the pool, or the sea and you'll feel so much more confident in your swimwear.

Vacation Spray Tan Tips

How many days before a trip should I get a spray tan?

Ideally, schedule your appointment one to two days before you leave for your trip. This gives the color time to fully develop, and any bronzer can be washed off, leaving you with the tan's true shade. It also ensures your tan has set properly, reducing the risk of transfer to clothing or hotel sheets.

Will a spray tan go patchy on holiday?

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. If you want to keep your spray tan looking fresh throughout your whole vacation, avoid swimming altogether.

How many days does fake tan last?

Our Self Tanning Foams, Oils, Lotionsand Mistsdry in seconds to reveal a rich, natural looking glow which lasts between 5-7 days. Our Everyday Gradual Tanning Products build a golden bronze colour gradually over time. Once you've achieved the golden glow you're after, you can apply every 2 - 3 days as needed.

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.

What day does spray tan look best?

If you get a spray tan four or more days before your event, your tan will start to fade, the colour won't be as dark and won't pop against your outfit like a fresh tan would. Try to aim to book your spray tan two to three days before your event and your tan will be the perfect colour.

Is it better to fake tan at night or morning?

Applying at night gives your self-tanner time to develop a natural tan look. Things like showering, rain, or tight clothes can mess up your tan when it's trying to settle. And some tanning products will also stain! As the self-tanner process can take up to eight hours, applying right before bed is super convenient.

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.

Does fake tan get darker the longer you leave it on?

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.

Is there a 24 hour rule for tanning?

How many times a week can I tan? All PBT locations require 24-hours between sunbed sessions. This requirement is in accordance with FDA guidelines and will give your skin the time it needs to rest and maximize color development.

How can I maximize my tan on vacation?

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate—drink plenty of water and moisturize your skin to keep it supple. Eat foods high in Beta-carotene before your trip. These foods include carrots, mangos, apricots, papaya, tomatoes, and spinach. These foods help your body make more melanin, protecting it from UV rays and giving you a nice tan.

How long does tan from vacation last?

A natural tan will usually last for around 7-10 days, although this can vary for each different skin type and colour. However, any exposure to sun during that 7-10 day period could mean that your tan will hang around for longer, so the length of time it lasts really does depend on the individual.

How many days before an event should you fake tan?

The Two-Day Rule: When it comes to tanning before an event, it is generally recommended to have a spray tan or apply your own tan two days prior to the occasion. The reason behind this is that all tans take approximately 24 hours to fully develop, even after rinsing off the initial bronzer.

Should I shave my legs before or after self-tanning?

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.

How to get a flawless self tan?

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.

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].

How many days before a wedding should I spray tan?

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.

What body wash is best for fake tan?

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.

What is the best fake tan to wear on a holiday?

To maintain your tan during your holiday, Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Body , is a travel-friendly must-have. And if you prefer an even more extended tan lifespan, the Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel , offers a beautiful bronze hue that lasts.

How many days before holiday should I get a spray tan?

This will help your tan adhere evenly and give you the longest-lasting glow. Make sure to get your tan at least 1-2 days before your trip. Spray tans always look best at least a day after the initial appointment. Maintain your tan with self-tanners to not only make it last longer but help it fade more evenly.

How often should I tan before vacation?

If you are preparing a base tan before going on a holiday, consider starting tanning three weeks prior. If you plan to maintain a tan that you acquired during the holiday or one you already have, then one session a week would be enough.

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