How long does it take for fake tan to fully develop?

Author: Elroy Ziemann  |  Last update: Thursday, August 14, 2025

Once applied, you can wash the tan off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper long-lasting tan leave on your skin for up 8 hours. It really is personal choice. You might have to test it out a few times to work out what suits you the best! For a deeper glow, we recommend letting your tan develop for 6-8 hours.

How long does a fake tan take to develop?

How long does it take to develop? A. You can leave it 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.

Does fake tan continue to develop after a shower?

Yes – fake tan does continue to develop on the skin after it has been washed off. The colour that fake tan instantly adds to the skin is often just a 'guide colour', which gives you an idea of the shade and where you are applying it.

Can fake tan develop in 2 hours?

The ideal time to shower depends on the formula you choose. For a quick tan with Erythrulose (see "Choose the Formula" section), you can shower in as little as 1-3 hours. Classic DHA formulas take longer to develop, so wait 4-8 hours before showering for a deeper tan.

Does fake tan show up right away?

Will my self-tanner show up right away? Applying self-tanner will darken your skin immediately, but if the change seems too slight, do not continue to apply layers! Your tan will keep getting darker for the next 10 hours as the active ingredients react with the outer layer of your skin.

Tanning Routine | Tips on How to Self Tan At Home (Beginner Friendly!) | Dominique Sachse

Should I moisturize after fake tan?

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 long until tan is noticeable?

Generally, with consistent and safe sun exposure, you can start seeing results within a few hours to days. For those leaning towards sunbeds, you might notice a difference after 2-3 sessions if starting from a light base, or 3-5 sessions for a deeper tan.

Can I shave 2 hours before fake tan?

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.

Can I sleep in fake tan?

We would recommend if sleeping in fake tan that you invest in tanning sheets (be it a fancy 'fake tan' specific sheets, old sheets you're not fussed about or a darker shade that doesn't show the tell-tale fake tan remnants so easily) and make sure you wear loose, comfy and fake tan friendly sleepwear to bed.

Can I tan twice in 24 hours?

How much time should I let pass between tanning sessions? The FDA requires 24 hours between tanning sessions. We recommend allowing at least 1 day in-between sessions whenever time allows.

How to speed up fake tan developing?

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.

Does showering after you tan affect it?

Many sunbed users wonder if it's okay to shower after using a sunbed. The answer is yes – you can definitely shower after using a sunbed. In fact, showering can actually help to prolong your tan. When you shower, the water helps to hydrate your skin, which can prevent your tan from fading too quickly.

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.

Does fake tan still develop after washing it off?

Don't fret! Your colour will continue to develop and darken for a few hours (and a spray tan takes up to 24 hours to develop fully). That brown water disappearing down the drain? It wasn't your tan washing away, it was simply the cosmetic bronzer tanning formulators use to help guide you when applying your tan.

Can I fake tan just my face?

Choose the best self tanner for your face

Tropez face mist is the easiest way to tan oily or acne-prone skin. Its lightweight and tropically-scented formula is made with non-pore blocking ingredients, so you can achieve a golden glow in 4 to 8 hours without causing breakouts or congestion.

What fake tan develops the fastest?

Say hello to a sun-kissed glow in just 30 minutes. Become your best self in record time with Isle of Paradise's fastest ever developing formula. It's time to experience self-tanning on your own terms with Isle of Paradise's new Express Self-Tanning Mousse that develops in as little as 30 minutes.

Can I leave fake tan on for 2 hours?

The longer you leave the product on your skin, the deeper your result will be. For a light to medium tan, rinse off after 30 minutes. For a deep tan, rinse off after 1 hour. For the deepest tan, rinse off after 2-3 hours.

Is it OK to tan with fake tan on?

Can You Tan Through Fake Tan? This is a question many people ponder, and the answer is yes, you can. Fake tanning and sun tanning both alter the colour of your skin, but they do so in different ways.

How long should I wait to put clothes on after self-tanning?

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.

Can I tan with hairy legs?

Can you self tan or spray tan with hairy legs? The answer is yes! I know it seems like the hair may get in the way, but it doesn't. This is also why I only tell people to remove unwanted hair before any fake tan application.

Should you moisturize after fake tanning?

The answer is YES, but only after the self tan has fully developed. All Bali Body fake tan's take around 8 hours to fully develop and reach their maximum level of glow. Regardless of when you wash the colour guide off, we highly recommend you don't moisturise until the 8 hour mark.

Is 30 minutes in the sun enough to tan?

Is 30 minutes a day enough to tan? It depends on your skin type. Those with fair skin likely need a bit longer, while people with darker skin may only require 15-20 minutes daily. Start slow and gently build UV skin tolerance over multiple sessions for the best color development.

How quickly does fake tan develop?

Once applied, you can wash the tan off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper long-lasting tan leave on your skin for up 8 hours. It really is personal choice. You might have to test it out a few times to work out what suits you the best! For a deeper glow, we recommend letting your tan develop for 6-8 hours.

Why do I tan so easily when I'm white?

This happens because “Each of us produces a different quantity and quality of melanin. Melanin is a pigment produced by our cells found in the basal layer of the skin,” explains Dr Puig.

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