Timing your first rinse is key to achieving a flawless, streak-free glow. Wait 4-8 hours before showering to let your tan fully develop, but avoid leaving it on for more than 24 hours.
The initial development of your gradual tan will take place over the first 2–4 hours after application, so you should avoid showering during this initial period to allow your tan to develop properly. After this, showering every day should not make your tan slower to develop.
Apply gradual tan daily until you achieve your desired skin tone. Then reapply every few days, or more often if necessary, to maintain your tan. Avoid showering for a few hours following the application to allow the product to bind well on the skin - you can do this right before going to bed and shower in the morning.
Step 4: Enjoy the glow!
After 4-8 hours, your gradual tan will be fully developed into a natural, sunkissed glow. To achieve a deeper bronzed look, reapply your gradual tanning lotion daily to build your tan.
Skin may be washed after one hour. For a longer lasting, darker tan leave for up to 6 hours before showering with warm water. Gently pat skin dry.
Optimal Time to Shower After a Fake Tan
Timing your first rinse is key to achieving a flawless, streak-free glow. Wait 4-8 hours before showering to let your tan fully develop, but avoid leaving it on for more than 24 hours.
The general rule of thumb is to wait at least 2 to 3 hours before showering to give your skin cells enough time to complete the tanning process. This waiting time allows your skin to retain its oils and helps lock in your tan, giving you a deeper, longer-lasting color.
But Wong says it's unlikely that any skin aging effect would be pronounced. "The human studies so far have found that DHA mostly reacts in the top layers of the skin, which are dead. In skin aging, the concern is excessive free radicals forming deeper in the dermal layers of skin where collagen and elastin are."
Exfoliate your skin every few days after application with a light exfoliating bodywash, focusing on areas that tend to fade quickest: underarms, neck, and knees. Exfoliation will fade your tan slightly, but this step is essential to preventing colour build-up and removing dead skin cells.
When you perspire, tanning solution will transfer to your hand, and cause staining. If you know you'll be sleeping with your hand between your knees, it's best to wear loose pajama pants and an oversized t-shirt. We also recommend laying a towel over your pillow to prevent any bronzer transfer from your neck.
Baby Oil
Raw oils like coconut, olive, or sunflower will work in a pinch, but be sure to pick up baby oil if you want the best results. When it's time to remove your self-tanner, simply slather your skin with the baby oil and leave it on for a few minutes. Then rinse it off in the shower using a loofah or washcloth.
It is easily applied, smells gorgeous and most of all, it works. My skin feels soft and the tan starts to work almost instantly. After a few hours i have a natural looking golden tan. It doesn't stain bedding either.
You can shave after tanning without removing all your newfound colour. Just make sure you wait at least 8 hours, so your tan has had time to develop. Then shave with gentle pressure, using a brand-new razor and an oil-free wash or shaving foam that won't break down your faux glow.
Oils are great to break down the tan. Run a hot bath with some body or bath oil in it and soak in for as long as possible. If you're a shower person, apply oil all over your body, let it sink into your skin completely and take a hot steamy shower to wash it off. NIVEA Body Oil is a great product to get rid of fake tan.
We recommend waiting at least 4-8 hours after your spray tan before you shower for the first time, but don't wait more than 24 hours. 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!
Loving Tan Deluxe Gradual Tan, Dark
how we applied: Applied just one layer all over the body (excluding the face) right before bed using a tanning mitt, let develop while sleeping (about nine hours), and then rinsed the color guide off in the morning for a tan that revived and glowing.
Tropez Gradual Tan One Minute Pre-Shower Tanning Mousse creates a subtle sunkissed glow from day one, and can easily fit into your everyday regime. Apply directly to dry skin, then jump in the shower after one minute (yes, one minute!) to achieve a light bronze in just 4-8 hours.
It can be tempting to forego exfoliating or cleansing your skin properly before tanning, but then you risk a streaky tan! As our skin cells all turn-over and shed at different times, it's vital that you start with a fresh canvas so that your tan is applied evening and won't go streaky or patchy.
We recommend avoiding swimming for 6 - 8 hours after applying your tan to allow it to develop fully on your skin. Once your tan has developed you can swim, however seawater and chlorinated pools may result in your tan fading faster.
Generally, a gradual tan lasts about a week, but with the right preparation, your sunless glow can stick around for up to ten days. The key is to knuckle down on preparing your skin in the weeks and days leading up to your gradual tan, and keeping your skin moisturised once you've applied.
“Fake tanning is safer than using sun beds or sunbathing which has the risk of sunburns and premature photo ageing and risk of developing skin cancer in the future,” says Dr Zokaie.
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.
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.
Hydrated skin not only looks healthier but also retains a tan more effectively. Avoid hot showers, which can strip the skin of its natural oils, and refrain from activities that cause excessive sweating immediately after tanning.
It all depends on what you've been doing, how hot the weather is, and your own personal body chemistry and microbiome. Other than people who live in hot climates, and/or work up a sweat with physical activity, most of us don't need a daily shower or bath. Every 2 to 3 days is sufficient for most.