What to do after washing off fake tan?

Author: Miss Aileen Schumm  |  Last update: Friday, October 24, 2025

What Should I Do Now? Once out of the shower, gently pat your body dry with a soft towel. Avoid rubbing, which will essentially exfoliate away your tan and lead to a patchy, uneven finish. Many fake tans can be drying, so be sure to lock in moisturise with a super-hydrating body lotion or cream (more on this later).

Should you moisturise after washing off fake 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 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.

Does fake tan still develop after washed off?

It is the DHA (a chemical found in fake tan) that is responsible for adding pigment to the skin, and it stays on the skin even after washing. Therefore, depending on the product and the strength of the DHA in it, your tan could continue to develop for up to 24 hours.

Will my fake tan get darker after I shower?

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.

How to make your fake tan Last 2 Weeks + || Prep, Application, Maintain & Removal Fake Tan Tips

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!

What to do after rinsing fake tan?

What Should I Do Now? Once out of the shower, gently pat your body dry with a soft towel. Avoid rubbing, which will essentially exfoliate away your tan and lead to a patchy, uneven finish.

Does showering after tanning in the sun affect your tan?

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.

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.

Can I use lotion after rinsing off self tanner?

The answer is YES, but only after the self tan has fully developed. The entire range of Bali Body fake tan's take up to 8 hours to develop fully. Regardless of when the colour guide is washed off, we suggest not moisturising until after the 8 hour mark.

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 I wash fake tan off with cold or hot water?

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.

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

To help your tan develop, you'll want to avoid all moisture for at least 4-5 hours after you get a spray tan. This includes showering, workouts, hot yoga, lotions, liquid foundation, etc. Staying dry will help the spray tan solution adhere to your skin.

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.

Should I use soap when washing off fake 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.

Does fake tan still develop after a shower?

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.

What not to do after tanning in the sun?

It's never a good idea to expose already damaged skin to more sun. So, protect your skin from further sun exposure, because after sunbathing your skin can be sensitive, some even develop sun allergies. To prevent further skin irritation, you should also avoid shaving or waxing after sunbathing.

How to tan without burning fair skin?

Fair skin can tan under the sun, but only with care. Start with short, consistent exposure, about 10-15 minutes a day during safer times like early morning or late afternoon. Always wear sunscreen (yes, even when aiming for a tan) and reapply it as directed.

Should you put moisturiser on after washing off fake tan?

Once you have washed off your fake tan moisturise your skin daily to increase the longevity of your tan. Dry, dehydrated skin will cause your dead skin cells to shed quicker, taking the fake tan you worked so hard for with it. Use an oil-free moisturiser as oil can break down the product [2].

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 is the best thing to wear after a spray tan?

Wear dark-colored, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves to protect your fresh tan. Choose clothes made from breathable materials like cotton. Try garments like flowy skirts or maxi dresses, long-sleeve tees with loose or open necklines, and soft pants with elastic or drawstring waistbands.

Can people smell my fake tan?

Most self-tanners leave behind a distinct scent so strong that it gives the entire practice a bad reputation. There are, however, ways to manage a smelly tan and avoid self-tanner stink altogether.

What to do after showering off spray tan?

Once out of the shower pat your skin dry, do not rub. You will want to continue to pat your skin dry for the duration of your Airbrush Spray Tan. For best results rinse again 24 hours from your tanning appointment with tanning safe soap only to remove any excess bronzers on your skin.

How do you wash off fake tan?

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.

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