Self tanners can expect their golden hue to last between 7-10 days due to the natural turnover of skin cells. Or if you get a tan outside, you can expect your tan to fade in about the same amount of time at 7-10 days as well.
Understanding Self-Tanner Durability
Before we dive into tips on how to extend your sunless tan, you're probably wondering, “Just how long does a fake tan last?” On average, your skin retains self tanner for 5-7 days, but this period of longevity can vary based on many factors.
If your tan is the exact shade you love and you want to keep the gorgeous glow, you typically only have to apply self-tanner about once a week. This applies to tanning solution you put on your body, which tends to be exposed to fewer products and washing than your face.
If you tan using an instant cosmetic bronzer like a bronzing lotion, the instant cosmetic color will wash off in the shower, but the color produced by the DHA will remain. Your first shower should just be a warm rinse and should be at least 6 hours after your treatment.
Regular maintenance: To prolong the life of your self-tan, it's helpful to keep your skin moisturized. Hydrated skin tends to hold onto the color better and fade more evenly. Applying a moisturizer or gradual tanning lotion daily can help extend the lifespan of your tan.
Soak in oil and buff with an exfoliating mitt
Oils, on the other hand, break down DHA and can fade fake tan faster. It does, so lather up or soak yourself in oil. You can also use coconut or olive oil, which should be left on the skin for 10 minutes before washing off.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Smooth the self tanner over your face and neck evenly for a perfect tone. Make sure to evenly massage the product onto your skin, reaching all areas from the back of your neck, to ears, to hairline to get the perfect coverage.
A: You should wait at least 4-8 hours before showering to let your tan fully develop. For darker results, wait up to 12 hours.
Shaving after a spray tan can remove some of the tan, leading to uneven or patchy results. Waiting 8-12 hours after the session and using gentle shaving techniques is important to maintain the tan.
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.
How long will the colour stay on my skin? If you stop using JERGENS® Natural Glow® Daily Moisturiser, your skin colour will begin to fade in a few days and be completely faded after about one to two weeks.
Be aware that the more you swim and shower the more your tan is likely to fade. Don't take very hot baths or showers as this encourages removal of the tan. Apply fake tan weekly to build it up. Use a wash off tinted lotion on your body or a tinted face gel to top up your tan if you don't have time to apply another ...
Our Self Tan ranges can be washed off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper tan, we advise avoiding showering, swimming, and perspiring for 6 - 8 hours to allow your tan to develop fully on the skin.
It's time to squash a popular tanning myth… you don't have to wax or shave your entire body before fake tanning. While many people think that prior to applying any kind of tan, your body needs to be completely smooth and free of hair, that simply isn't the case.
Apply self-tanner in thin layers to ensure an even application and prevent streaks. When applying to your face, use a tanning mitt or your fingers to apply the product in a circular motion. Blend the product into your hairline and ears to prevent obvious lines.
Yes! Especially if you have fair skin that is prone to burning. Fake tan will not stop you getting a natural tan, it will simply act as an extra layer between your skin and the sun, and so the effects of the sun's rays will not be as strong.
After tanning, you will produce a little bit of sweat, but that's it. There is no reason to shower right away because water does not affect the tan. This is another myth that has been around for ages. The truth is, showering right after getting a tan will not cause staining of your skin.
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.
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.