What to do after rinsing off tan?

Author: Estell Wehner  |  Last update: Monday, November 24, 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.

Should I moisturise after rinsing tan off?

16. DON'T moisturise after the initial rinse off of fake tan residue. This is a biggie. The product is still developing. Adding moisturiser at this point will dilute the tan's development. 17. DO moisturise like a boss every time after that to look after your tan investment.

Should I put lotion on after I rinse my spray tan?

16. DON'T moisturise after the initial rinse off of fake tan residue. This is a biggie. The product is still developing. Adding moisturiser at this point will dilute the tan's development. 17. DO moisturise like a boss every time after that to look after your tan investment.

What is the best way to shower after tan?

Stick with lukewarm water to keep your skin's moisture intact. Opt for Gentle, Moisturizing Products: Avoid harsh soaps and scrubs right after tanning. Instead, use a mild, hydrating body wash to prevent dryness and peeling, which can dull your tan. Pat Dry, Don't Rub: Vigorous towel drying can be too abrasive.

Why does my tan look better after I shower?

Q1: Will My Fake Tan Look Better After I Shower? A: Yes! Showering helps remove excess bronzer and allows the DHA to continue developing. Skin appears cleaner and more radiant after a proper rinse.

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

How to rinse after self tanner?

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.

What to do after rinsing spray tan?

With the express option, the color will gradually get darker after rinsing. Remember to only pat dry your skin, not rub. Use moisturizer or extender lotion to shower-damp skin. After application of extender lotion, scrub palms with soap and a nail brush.

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.

Should I put on lotion after tanning?

The initial exposure to UV light can leave your skin a bit shocked, so it's crucial to give it some extra TLC. Hydrate your skin with a good quality, fragrance-free moisturizer right after your session and throughout the next few days. Also, remember to drink plenty of water to hydrate from the inside out.

Does tan still develop after washing off?

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.

Do you wash tan off with cold or hot water?

If you opt for a wash-off tan, allow it to develop for 4 to 8 hours. Then, wash it off with slightly cooler water than normal, and don't use scrubs or soaps as these can fade your tan. Simply rinse until the water runs clear.

Do you use soap when rinsing off tan?

Using a soap or body wash when you rinse your tan will halt the tanning actives development and could cause you to lose the color you developed so far. Some soaps or washes may also react with the tan badly to strip color in places or cause discoloration.

How long does a Bali body take to develop?

The longer you leave our self tan on your skin, the darker it will develop. An example using our Dark Self Tanning Mousse would be 1-3 hours for a light tan, 3-6 hours for a medium tan and 6-8 hours (or overnight) for a dark tan.

What is the best body lotion to use after a spray tan?

LOTIONS Avoid any oils or lotions that use mineral oil (petroleum), baby oil, coconut oil, and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (which is found in most body washes). I have found the best lotions to use are Aveeno, Cetaphil, Hempz, and CeraVe. Lotions with perfumes contain high alcohol levels and tend to dry out the skin.

Should you moisturize after rinsing off self tanner?

Regardless of when you wash the colour guide off, we highly recommend you don't moisturise until the 8 hour mark. Why you might ask? Even rinsing your initial colour guide off, the product still continues to develop on your skim, resulting in the most perfect fake tan.

What will mess up a spray tan?

Loofahs, washcloths, brushes, and body washes with microbeads are all going to hasten the tan's departure. Your first shower after your spray tan will likely result in a puddle of colored water around your drain, but this is normal. As you leave the shower, make sure to pat yourself dry with the towel, don't rub.

What is the best body wash to use after spray 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.

Should I put lotion on after I wash off spray tan?

Only rinse until you see the water is clear, then stop (this should only take a few minutes) - and pat dry. DO NOT MOISTURIZE UNTIL THE TAN HAS TOTALLY DEVELOPED. We recommend you wait at least 12 hours after receiving your tan, before moisturizing to ensure it has fully developed. Continue to avoid bar soaps.

Will my spray tan get darker after I rinse it off?

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. The tan will continue to develop over the next 12-24 hours.

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.

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.

When should I rinse my tan off?

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.

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