What causes a spray tan to fade?

Author: Doris Cole  |  Last update: Saturday, November 22, 2025

Ocean / Swimming Any immersion in water for a long period of time will fade your spray tan (especially swimming pool water containing chlorine). Hot Showers Try to keep your showers just warm (and quick) and not hot as this will very quickly remove your spray tan.

How do I make my spray tan last longer?

14 tips for making a spray tan last longer
  1. Choose your shade wisely. ...
  2. Think about timing. ...
  3. Buff, buff, buff away. ...
  4. Avoid a wax 24 hours before the spray tan. ...
  5. Think about your tanning location. ...
  6. Know what to do after a spray tan. ...
  7. Ditch deodorant, grab talc. ...
  8. Don't have a shower immediately.

Why does my spray tan come off so fast?

The reason for this one is pretty simple: you wash your hands and face more than any other part of your body. Double that with the fact that your hands and your face are the most exposed parts of your body and you've got a recipe for a faster-fading tan.

Why is my spray tan not lasting?

Keeping your skin hydrated is key to making your airbrush tan last longer. Moisturize your skin at least twice a day with a water-based lotion or oil-free moisturizer. Avoid using products that contain alcohol, fragrance, or essential oils as they can dry out your skin and cause your tan to fade faster.

Why is my spray tan fading unevenly?

Spot-treat problematic areas: If you notice splotchiness or uneven fading in certain areas, you can spot-treat those areas with a gradual tanning lotion or a product specifically designed for touch-ups. This can help blend and even out the color without having to redo the entire tan.

WHEN NOT TO BLEND | SPRAY TAN TIPS

How to fix a patchy spray tan?

How to fix patchy fake tan
  1. Gently buff away excess tan. Excess product often settles onto dry areas, like the elbows, knees, ankles, hands, and feet, causing an uneven, patchy tan. ...
  2. Exfoliate the skin. ...
  3. Fill in the gaps. ...
  4. Always use a tanning mitt. ...
  5. Opt for a gradual tan moisturiser.

What fades a spray tan?

Ocean / Swimming Any immersion in water for a long period of time will fade your spray tan (especially swimming pool water containing chlorine). Hot Showers Try to keep your showers just warm (and quick) and not hot as this will very quickly remove your spray tan.

What is the longest a spray tan can last?

On average, a professional spray tan will last between 5 to 10 days, with some variation based on skin type, preparation, and aftercare. Here's a breakdown by skin type: Fair Skin: Fair skin can experience fading sooner, generally around 5 to 7 days.

How do you know if a spray tan is bad?

A strange and unnatural color: The point of a spray tan is to look like you've been kissed gently by the sun, and if your skin has taken on a dark or orange color all over, something has gone horribly wrong. Generally speaking, a good spray tan should not look like a thick layer of color.

What lotions to avoid after spray tan?

You must avoid the following ingredients when using a moisturizer: Mineral Oil, Petroleum, Paraffins, Paraffinum Liquidum, Ceresine. Curel lotions will fade a tan faster, on some people. Avoid lotions with a high alcohol content such as CeraVe.

Why has my tan lasted for years?

Why won't my tan go away? When the cells become damaged with pigment, discoloration that doesn't fade occurs, leading to a tan that doesn't fade. In fact, it tends to stay dark unless you choose to have this hyperpigmentation treated professionally.

Does a spray tan fade every time you shower?

When you shower for the first time after getting a spray tan, you'll probably see some golden glow wash down the drain, but don't worry! You'll still look as bronzed as ever when you get out. This is just some of the extra solution washing off your skin.

How to keep your tan from fading?

Here are the top tips for keeping that sun-kissed glow lasting longer:
  1. Daily moisturizing. Importance: Moisturizing is key to prolonging the life of your tan. ...
  2. Gentle exfoliation. ...
  3. Touching up with self-tanner. ...
  4. Staying hydrated. ...
  5. Wearing loose clothing. ...
  6. Using tan extenders.

Does coconut oil fade spray tan?

Potential to Affect Tan Application: Coconut oil is thick and greasy, which can create a barrier on your skin. This barrier may interfere with the absorption of the self-tanner or spray tan, leading to uneven application and a tan that might fade more quickly.

Do you spray tan naked?

No, you don't have to be naked when you spray tan. While some people prefer to be nude to avoid tan lines, you have the option to wear whatever is most comfortable for you—like a swimsuit or underwear. During your tan, bronzer could transfer to your clothing but don't worry!

Why is my spray tan coming off?

If you notice the spray tan is easily peeling off, even though the session went well, it probably means the customer had sunburns prior to getting a spray tanning session. This is a common problem as sunburns tend to peel quite a lot and this inevitably affects the results of a spray tanning session.

What are the negatives of spray tan?

Spray Tanning Risks

After application, the skin is especially susceptible to UV radiation and more likely to sunburn. Spray tans may reduce the amount of vitamin D absorbed by the skin. The sunless tanning industry is evolving and continues to be about achieving the most natural glow in a healthy way.

What is the best self-tanner?

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.

Do dermatologists recommend spray tans?

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that there's a 75% increased risk of developing life-threatening melanoma from just one indoor tanning session before age 35. In contrast, spray tanning involves no exposure to UV radiation. That leads most dermatologists, including Dr.

Why does my spray tan fade so fast?

Forgetting to moisturise daily is one of the key reasons that your sunless tan has faded faster than you'd hoped. While many of us moisturise daily already as part of your normal skincare routine, moisturising when you have a tan is important to help maintain that glow for longer.

How can I make my spray tan last longer?

The easiest way to make your spray tan last longer is to keep topping it up. A gradual tanning lotion will keep your skin hydrated, while also enhancing your tan a little more each day.

Is it OK to get a spray tan every week?

If you want to constantly stay tan, having a spray tan appointment every 7-12 days is ideal to maintain your glow while getting the most out of each tan. During your spray tan session, I'll give you a few more tips ( not noted here ) on how to maintain your glow in between spray tan sessions.

Why won't my legs tan but my arms do?

Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan. Skin on the legs is thicker and harder and the UV light from the sun or sunbeds cannot easily penetrate it.

Does spray tan get lighter after 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). That brown water disappearing down the drain?

Does shaving fade a spray tan?

Spray tan may fade slightly when shaving, especially if done immediately after the session.

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