Exfoliation after tanning can strip away the outer layer of skin where the self-tanner has done its job, causing the tan to fade faster. Stick to gentle cleansing and avoid exfoliating scrubs, rubbing yourself dry, or loofahs post-tanning to keep your tan intact.
Make Sure Skin Is Completely Dry
Most experts recommend showering before applying self-tanner as this is the best way to ensure skin is clean and free of any oils or products that could interfere. But it's important not to rush into tanning straight away.
There are several reasons why your face may not tan as easily as the rest of your body: Skin Type: The skin on your face is often more sensitive and may have a different thickness or texture compared to the skin on your body. If you have fair or sensitive skin, it may be more prone to burning than tanning.
By making sure your skin is well moisturised and hydrated you will have a better chance of applying an even self-tan that lasts. Use an oil free moisturiser to make sure that it doesn't create a barrier to the fake tan.
Prep. One of the biggest mistakes people make when self-tanning is not prepping their skin properly. For the best results it's necessary to prime the skin so it's a smooth and clean canvas your fake tan can easily stick to, otherwise it can cause issues including streaks, patches and speckled legs.
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.
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].
Yes, a tan will naturally fade away due to the exfoliation of our skin. It may not be the nicest thing to think about, but the human skin sheds and then generates millions of cells everyday. When the tanned skin cells are replaced with new, untanned skin cells, your body will gradually return to its normal colour.
You may notice that if you expose dry skin to sunlight, the tan appears much slower and the results are hardly satysfying. The skin is dull, entirely lacking beatiful sunny glow and its shade is far from that dreamy, golden bronze tone.
If you're having trouble with getting a dark tan, it might be because of your natural skin predispositions. According to Fitzpatrick's classification, you could be the Celtic type. This means that due to a small amount of melanin, you will have a very light skin color, light eyes, and blonde or red hair.
If you use quite a bit at a time or double coat it may make you sticky as it takes your skin longer to absorb it until it's dry to touch. You can try blow drying it if you have a hair dryer or you can lightly dust some baby powder over it to reduce the stickiness.
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.
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?
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.
Before we dive into tips on how to extend your sunless tan, you're probably wondering, “Just how long does a fake tan last?” On average, your skin retains self tanner for 5-7 days, but this period of longevity can vary based on many factors. Expired self tanning products, sensitive skin, and skin types are a few.
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.
Moisturise that back
Some self-tanning products can be drying, so you want to make sure your skin is soft and hydrated. DHA (the most common tanning agent) also clings to any dry patches and tends to go darker in these areas. So, up your self-care in the week before tanning for patch-free, glowing results.
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.
Thankfully, you can counteract this by incorporating tanning drops into your nighttime routine! Simply mix 2-3 drops into your moisturiser and you can top up your glow as you sleep. Turns out finding the balance between self tanner and retinol is too easy.