How long to wait before getting dressed after fake tan?

Author: Dion Nader  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

But when it comes to fake tanning, it's best to exercise some patience to prevent staining your clothes. To keep your colour where it belongs – on your body – we recommend waiting for around 15 minutes, or until your tan is fully dry, before getting dressed.

How long after self tan can I put clothes on?

After applying self tanner, I'll typically just put my robe on for a while until it's completely dry (I like to wait at least 15mins before getting dressed).

How long should you leave fake tan to dry before dressing?

We would recommend allowing our products to fully dry for a few minutes before dressing. If you would like to speed up your drying time, you can use a hairdryer on the cool setting.

How long should I wait to sit down after self-tanning?

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.

How long to wait to get dressed after a spray tan?

You can get dressed right away, but you do feel sticky for a few hours, and you want to wear loose clothing afterwards because anywhere there is friction can prevent the tan from developing nicely.

HOW TO SELF TAN WHEN YOU ARE 40+ YEARS OLD | TIPS AND TRICKS BY A PRO SPRAY TAN ARTIST

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

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. For more tanning tips and tricks, read our Guide To Self Tanning For Beginners.

Can I wear jeans 3 hours after a spray tan?

How long after a spray tan can I wear tight clothes? While it's tempting to jump back into your skinny jeans or body-hugging dress right after your session, it's best to hold off for a bit. The tan will fully develop and set into your skin after about 24 hours.

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.

When can I wash my body after self-tanning?

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.

How long after applying fake tan can I go to bed?

Our formula needs to develop over 8 hours, just enough time for the perfect beauty sleep.

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 get the best fake tan results?

10 fake tan tips for beginners
  1. Exfoliate 24 hours before. ...
  2. Remove hair 24 hours before. ...
  3. Avoid deodorants and perfume. ...
  4. Choose the right tan for you. ...
  5. Moisturize just before tanning. ...
  6. Always Use A Tanning Mitt. ...
  7. Allow Your Tan To Dry Before Dressing. ...
  8. Wash Off Your Tan In Cool Water.

How soon after fake tanning should you moisturize?

Regardless of when you wash the colour guide off, we highly recommend you don't moisturise until the 8 hour mark.

How long do you leave fake tan on before washing it off?

For a Light Tan: Leave the tan on for 2-4 hours, then shower. For a Medium Tan: Leave the tan on for 4-6 hours, then shower. For a Dark Tan: Leave the tan on for 6-8 hours, then shower.

Why does fake tan not stick to my legs?

Is there any residue left on your calves from products like moisturiser, shaving foam or body oil? All these cosmetic products act as a barrier to fake tan and can prevent the skin from 'grabbing' colour.

How to make fake tan develop faster?

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.

How long after self tanning can I wear clothes?

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.

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.

What body wash is best after self tanning?

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. All of these moisturizers should be good for any skin type.

How soon can I shower after fake tan?

Your fake tan needs time to develop before your next shower, and we recommend waiting for at least four hours but no more than one day. Remember to pat yourself dry and avoid hot water or harsh shower gels as they will strip your tan and dry out your skin.

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 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.

When can I put a bra on after a spray tan?

To ensure that your spray tan looks its best and lasts as long as possible, it's generally recommended to wait at least 8-12 hours before wearing a bra. During this time, it's best to wear loose, dark-colored clothing to minimize the risk of the tan transferring or rubbing off on your clothes.

What to wear to bed after fake tanning?

We always recommend wearing loose dark clothing after any tanning application, which is why we have created our Bondi Babe Pyjamas. Designed to be a loose fit with a scoop neck to avoid creasing tan after dressing, our Bondi Babe Pyjamas are full length and ultra soft for the most comfortable post tanning experience.

How to not smell like spray tan?

Use baby powder. After applying your sunless tanning product, dust a little baby powder on your skin to help absorb and limit odour.

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