How to shower after fake tan?

Author: Dr. Gardner Witting  |  Last update: Thursday, October 2, 2025

Post-tan, skip bar soaps, exfoliating scrubs, and alcohol-based lotions as they can strip your colour and leave it patchy. Limit long, hot showers or excessive washing, which can speed up fading. Instead, stick to quick, lukewarm showers and use gentle, sulfate-free body washes.

What is the best way to shower after self tan?

No long or super hot showers. Use a clear body wash (no dove or lotion consistency body washes) with your hands and don't use anything abrasive to apply. If you have a makeup eraser cloth those are great for the body if you want to make your tan last.

How long before you can shower after fake tan?

Optimal Tan Development: Understanding the Timeframes

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.

Do you use soap to rinse off self tanner?

What to do In the shower, mix the dish soap and lemon juice on a glove. Gently scrub your body until the tan starts to fade. You will know if it is coming off because you will see the water turning brown as you rinse it from your body. If it doesn't all come off the first time, try again until it all comes off.

Does fake tan still develop after a shower?

If you showered after just a few hours, you might notice your skin is not as tanned as you'd expected. 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).

BEST AT HOME SELF TAN ROUTINE BY A PRO SPRAY TAN ARTIST

How to wash your body after a spray tan?

Your tan will continue to develop to up to till 8 hours, which you can then wash off with water only (no soaps or sponges etc.) 24 hours after your appointment, you can start using body products, but you need to make sure that you are selecting the correct products for your skin.

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.

What happens if you don't shower fake tan off?

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.

Does a natural tan get darker overnight?

Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.

What is the best thing to wear after a spray tan?

WEAR LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING

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.

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.

Should you moisturise straight after washing off fake tan?

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

Will showering after tanning ruin tan?

It is not scientifically proven that showering right after tanning can have any negative effect on your skin. There is no reason for you to wait for several hours, or even the next morning, to shower. As long as you do not use a harsh soap or hot water, you can shower as soon as you want.

How long after a spray tan can I wear a bra?

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. 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.

Will having a bath ruin fake tan?

Skip Hot Baths and Prolonged Showers

Hot water can be detrimental to your tan's lifespan. It can strip your skin of essential oils, causing your tan to fade more quickly. Opt for lukewarm showers and keep them brief. Additionally, avoid long soaks in hot baths or hot tubs, as they can also accelerate tan fading.

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 sleep with fake tan on?

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.

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.

How do you wash after self-tanning?

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.

Should you fake tan your face?

With a touch of fake tan on your face, you can achieve a healthy, natural-looking tan all year round. Whether you want a subtle boost or a bold bronzed look, fake tanning your face is the ultimate beauty hack for a flawless and golden-brown appearance.

How to get the best results from self-tanner?

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.

What is the aftercare of a fake tan?

Your tan takes a full 24 hours to see the final result. Wait about 24 hours to shower with soap or body wash after your appointment. Your tan needs moisture to last! Moisturize every morning and night to prolong the life of your tan.

Will my spray tan look better after I shower?

Once you have showered, you will notice the bronzer washing away, leaving you looking tanned and glowing underneath. From this point on hydration is the key! 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.

How to get rid of fake tan smell after showering?

Once your self-tanner has developed, a nice cool shower in your favourite fruit or flower-scented body wash will help wash away the smell. Hot tip: Citrus seems to be extra effective at combating the self-tan or spray tan smell!

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