For the actives in your self-tanner to do their job properly, they need to be applied to clean skin. This means skin free from deodorants, fragrances, and body lotion – unless you're actually a fan of a patchy tan… So make sure you shower first to remove any lingering prods that can interfere with your tanner's DHA.
Does your moisturizer contain oil? Oil will break down the tan. It could simply be the rate your skin sheds. I have similar sunless tan issues no matter what I've tried. Using a gradual tanner helps maintain the color but too much causes the awful build-up patches.
Shaving too soon before applying fake tan
Tiny dots on your legs are a giveaway you didn't allow enough time between shaving or waxing your legs and applying the fake tan. To avoid this fake tan gone wrong mishap, make sure you remove any hair at least 12 hours (but ideally 24 hours) before to allow the pores to close.
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. For more tanning tips and tricks, read our Guide To Self Tanning For Beginners.
The reason you don't tan is because you don't have enough melanin in your skin. Melanin is the tanning colour in our skin. When we go in the sun it is produced to protect our skin. The evolutionary advantage of white skin was that, when there was seldom any sun; skin started to produce less melanin.
If the skin has been inflamed or is severely dry, the melanocytes (cells that give the skin its color) in that area do not react to UV light the same as they do in non-affected/dry skin areas.
Use a hairdryer. Once you have the perfect coverage, grab your hairdryer to help it set. Be sure it's blowing cool air and move it along your body. Not only will this help the solution dry faster, but it'll also help to kick the tanning development process into overdrive.
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.
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].
Poor Application. One of the main reasons for a patchy tan is bad application, as rushing the process or using the wrong technique can leave you with uneven colour distribution. Remember, fake tanning requires a gentle touch and precision, so take your time to apply it evenly on the skin.
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.
Shaving Before or After Spray Tan FAQ
Spray tan may fade slightly when shaving, especially if done immediately after the session. Waiting 8-12 hours before shaving and using gentle strokes can minimise the impact on the tan.
For the actives in your self-tanner to do their job properly, they need to be applied to clean skin. This means skin free from deodorants, fragrances, and body lotion – unless you're actually a fan of a patchy tan… So make sure you shower first to remove any lingering prods that can interfere with your tanner's DHA.
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).
How long does it take for fake tan to develop? For a deeper and longer lasting glow, let your fake tan develop for 6-8 hours before washing it off. If you are going for a more natural glow, 2-3 hours is ideal. Just remember to avoid contact with water in the initial stages after applying fake tan to your face.
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.
For ultra-dark results wait until touch dry & apply a second full thick layer to your body. Tanning tip – Only apply sparsely to hands and feet.
do i need to shower off the tan with soap after it has been left on? for the first shower after tanning we recommend no soaps, lukewarm water and only a super quick (approx. 45 seconds) rinse so that the tanning actives can keep developing to their darkest potential.
This happens because “Each of us produces a different quantity and quality of melanin. Melanin is a pigment produced by our cells found in the basal layer of the skin,” explains Dr Puig.
Tanning pills claim to tint the skin by using color additives, such as canthaxanthin. Once swallowed, the additives in the pills travel through the body and typically turn the skin an orange-like color. It's important to know there are no pills approved for the purpose of tanning by the FDA.
The primary stimulus for melanogenesis and subsequent melanosome production is UV radiation, which upregulates melanocyte production of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and its downstream products, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).