How long does a spray tan last? Pre and Post care strategies

Spray tanning is famous for developing an attractively glowing sun-kissed complexion without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays, which can burn and cause premature aging. This a convenient way to get a beautiful glowing look any time of the year. Whether winter, spring, summer, or fall, you can enjoy the benefits of a spray tan without worrying about the weather or the time of year. 

Examine professional pre-session tips on proper bathing, waxing, and the importance of exfoliation. Post-tan maintenance is vital to sustaining your flawless tan by avoiding dampness, tight clothing, and heavy sweating. Our expert-recommended superb spray tan may last 7-10 days, depending on solution type and rigorous maintenance, providing a long-lasting, radiant appearance.

How long does a Spray Tan Last?

A spray tan from a salon by professional or self-spray tanning in the home usually lasts up to 7-10 days if done correctly. Also, there are 4 major factors on which the longevity of your spray tan can depend.

1) Types of Solutions

There are two types of solutions commonly used for spray tans. a. Water-based solutions. b. Alcohol-based solutions. Water-based solutions of spray tan last longer than alcohol-based solutions because water has a moisturizing nature and tends to dry later than alcohol and eventually stay longer on the skin.

2) Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)

One of the vital ingredients used for making a spray tan solution is Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It helps our skin to get shade, so it depends on the shade of spray tan you choose. If you choose the darker shade, it will have more DHA and last longer than the lighter or medium shades.

3) Skin Care

Another factor that impacts your tan’s longevity is how well you care for your skin. If you moisturize your skin regularly, use mild soap and shower gel, and stay away from swimming in the chlorine pool or soaking in hot tubs, then there are chances that your spray tan may last longer.

4) Natural Skin Exfoliation Process

Our skin naturally exfoliates and sheds dead skin cells. This process usually fades the spray tan from the top layer of our skin because it sheds dead skin cells and can also shed some of your spray tans.

Tips from professional spray tanners

How long does a Professional spray tan last? This is the most frequently asked question, so we wondered about professional spray tanners for tips to help us get the most out of our session and make the effect more prominent for both fake and real tan.

Before the Session

There you go with some tips from professional spray tanners before your spray tanning session for a better experience and to get the most out of it.

1) Showering Before your Spray Tan

Make sure you shower at least 8 to 12 hours before your session, as showering right before can open pores in your body, and that moisture can stay up to a few hours on your body, which will eventually act as a barrier to the spray tan solution. 8 to 12 hours is enough time for your skin to get the pH level re-balanced to natural.

2) Waxing and Shaving 24-48 hours before Your Appointment

a. Waxing

Waxing is ripping your skin off if you are getting a spray tan and then waxing your skin after it so it will rip off the spray tans stained from the epidermis. Especially if you are getting waxed in the more sensitive areas of your body, then it is highly recommended not to do it right before your spray tan session as after waxing, your skin will become red and irritated, and most of the professional spray tanners are reluctant to spray that kind of skin. Make sure you wax at least 24-48 hours before your session.

b. Shaving

you want to ensure you have shaved a day or two before your spray tan session. shaving too close to the time of your spray tan can leave nicks in the areas like our legs where our hairs are a bit thick. and then if you spray tan those areas of nick’s, they can connect the spray tan’s solutions and give you those little black dots everywhere.

secondly, shaving cream or a razor with a moisturizer strip can become a barrier between the tanning solution and your skin layer. Then your tan might not develop as evenly or darkly as you want.

3) Exfoliate your Skin 24-28 Hours Before Your Appointment

Before going to a spray tan session, the best you can do is to Exfoliate 24-48 hours before your appointment to get that old dead skin off before you get a spray tan and it gets stained. 

The best way to exfoliate your skin is to use an actual sugar or salt scrub or an exfoliating mitt to physically get that dead skin off to ensure that when the spray tan solution gets on your skin, it has a nice, even fresh layer to adhere to.

You don’t want to exfoliate your skin right before your spray tan because you want your skin to re-balance itself naturally. Give it some time to re-balance the pH. You want to give it time to create that protective barrier so your skin isn’t just raw from exfoliating right before your spray tan. Also, if you use an oily product like the scrub, use it 48 hours before your spray tan session to shower it off your body.

4) Avoid Oil, Deodorant, or Makeup on Your Skin

Make sure that any makeup, deodorant, or stuff should not be applied to your skin, as they all have an oily nature. Oil is the most significant barrier to your fake tan solution. Anything like this is applied to your skin while getting your spray tan, so it may cause into becoming a blotchy tan once you walk out or get up after your sleep.

After the Session

There are 4 tips from professional spray tanners to follow after your session to make the effect last longer.

1) Showering after Spray Tan

After your tan spray session, you can not get wet for at least the first 6 to 8 hours. It means you can’t shower or go swimming because getting wet with a fresh tan will wash away the tanning solution from your body. So the longer you wait, the darker your tan will develop.

2) Dress in Loose Clothes

One should avoid wearing tight articles of clothing like Jeans, sweatshirts, socks, and yoga pants. Avoid wearing tight bras and panties, too. Instead, get some disposable undergarments made of non-woven fabric, which won’t affect your self-tanner.

Tight clothing can interact with your skin, rub off the fresh tan, and leave you with a blotchy tan or tan lines on the interaction area. Wearing loose clothes such as t-shirts and pyjamas helps cover and protect the fresh tan.

3) Keep your Skin Oil-Free

One should avoid products that contain ingredients like mineral oil or petroleum oils such as moisturizers or harsh soaps. Oil-containing products tend to interact with the tan and make it uneven. We recommend using natural, organic, and oil-free products.

4) Avoid Sweating

One should avoid high-intensity exercises, which cause sweating, especially after getting a fresh tan until fully developed (at least 8 to 12 hours after the session). Sweating can leave you with an uneven tan. Keep your skin as dry as possible so the tan sets in adequately, leaving you glowing, tanned skin.

Conclusion

A spray tan can usually last up to 7-10 days. Spray tanning is one of the easiest ways of getting glowing skin. The longevity of spray tans depends on several factors the type of tanning solution used, DHA in the tanning solution, Natural exfoliation of the skin, and your skincare routine.

To get an optimized result from spray tanning, one should exfoliate their skin at least 24 hours before the appointment. If you need to wax or shave, do it at least 24 to 48 hours before the procedure. Shower at least 8 to 12 hours before and after the treatment. Wear loose clothes after the procedure and use oil-free products for better results. Products like tan extenders can help improve longevity.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your Fake tan looks best for as long as possible.