Today, many of us strive to achieve a healthy and glowing complexion. One way to do this is through self-tanning. But if you’re someone who leads an active lifestyle and works out regularly, it’s good to know, should you do self tanning before or after workout sessions? Today, I’m going to share the pros and cons of both scenarios so that you can decide which option is right for your self tanning routine.
How To Prep Your Skin Ready For Self Tan Application
Prepping your skin for self tan application is key to ensure a natural, streak free finish. First, take the time to exfoliate your skin with gentle products, such as an exfoliating glove, body scrub or chemical exfoliator, before applying any self tan.
This will help remove any dead skin cells and give you an even canvas for application. Next, make sure you moisturize all areas, including drier patches like elbows and knees, as this will stop the self tanner clinging onto dry areas and creating streaks.
Lastly, use barrier cream around more tricky areas such as your hands and feet to stop excess color building up in those spots – this helps keep it looking realistic.
How To Care For The Skin After Applying Self Tanning Products
After applying self tanner, avoid showering or bathing for at least four hours so that the color has enough time to develop completely without being washed away. It is essential to moisturize daily while your self-tan is developing as this will lock in moisture and help keep skin soft, hydrated and glowing – ideal for prolonging a streak free glow.
During these 4–8 hours of waiting, it’s best to wear loose fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics such as natural cotton or linen, as tight clothing can rub off on areas where you don’t want it too.
It’s also advised not to exercise or swim during this period so that you don’t sweat out the self-tanner and risk brown patches appearing on your body.
Try showering with lukewarm water rather than hot water when removing your self tanner; otherwise the tanned pigment could be removed unevenly along with steamy showers being extremely drying on the skin too, which could result in patchiness.
How To Make Your Self Tan Last For As Long As Possible
Making your self tan last for as long as possible requires some maintenance. Proper preparation is key. First, exfoliation is needed to remove dead skin and ensure the even application of the self-tanner.
Secondly, moisturize. Using a light lotion helps retain hydration within the skin, which helps keep those tanned areas looking vibrant for longer.
Application is essential, when it comes to prolonging a tan’s lifespan. Make sure you have even coverage of product on your body, and don’t forget about hard-to-reach areas like behind your back or elbows. To prevent streaks, let the product dry completely before putting clothes on.
Once you’re done with the initial application, avoid taking hot showers or baths that could strip away color from your newly bronzed body; lukewarm water will do just fine.
You should also pat yourself dry after each shower instead of rubbing a towel against your skin — rubbing may cause exfoliation which could fade the color faster than expected, so take care not to over scrub. Consider using gentle soaps such as Dove or Cetaphil that won’t be too harsh on your newly tanned skin, either.
Wearing protective clothing while out in direct sunlight can also help maintain a longer lasting tan since UV radiation can counteract any bronzing effects you achieve with artificial products; bringing along hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are all great ways to protect yourself from potential sun damage while keeping that faux glow alive for longer.
Should You Do Self Tanning Before or After Workout Sessions?
Should you apply self-tanner before or after your workout sessions? The answer depends on when you plan to show off your golden glow.
If you plan to head straight from the gym to a night out, go ahead and self-tan before your sweat session. This will ensure your fresh tan lasts all night long, since perspiration can cause streaks and smudges that are difficult if not impossible to fix.
Allowing enough time for the self-tanner to soak in first is key – give yourself at least 2 hours before getting ready for any physical activity, so the solution has enough time to dry completely.
However, if you want your look to last throughout multiple sweating sessions, consider doing a few workouts beforehand then applying tanning lotion afterward.
The sweat may cause fading during individual gyms visits, but won’t be wiped away entirely, which means less frequent application is needed, compared with pre-workout application. Moisturizing products like bronzing milk or body oil should be applied right after each session, though, so skin stays healthy and hydrated amidst all that sweating.
At the end of the day, the timing of when you choose to apply self-tanning products is completely up to preference – both approaches have their pros and cons depending on what kind of results you’re aiming for.
Remember though that proper prep is essential, no matter what: use exfoliation methods prior (scrubs, mitts) along with plenty of moisturizer post application for longer lasting effects.
What Are The Benefits Of Tanning After Workout Sessions
Using a fake tan product such as lotion, spray or cream after a workout can provide numerous benefits. Firstly, it will help the user avoid any excessive sweating, and dirt residue on their skin that could otherwise be transferred onto clothing while they are out exercising.
This will allow them to remain presentable throughout the day and save time and money in washing costs. Secondly, using fake tan products post-workout allows for better absorption into the skin due to increased blood circulation from physical activity, leading to an even tanning effect.
Applying self-tanner immediately after a workout has been shown to reduce inflammation caused by exercise-related stress. This can lead to improved muscle recovery time and reduced soreness overall.
Users can enjoy softer skin with fewer wrinkles due to hydration from moisturize ingredients in many fake tans – perfect for those who want to look younger in their active pursuits.
Making use of fake tan products after exercise is an effective way for people of all ages and genders to enhance their physical appearance without risking sun exposure or chemical damage related to sunbeds.
What Are The Downsides Of Tanning After You’ve Worked Out?
Using fake tan products after a workout can have some downsides. In general, self-tanners require that your skin has to be dry before you apply them.
So if you haven’t showered off all the sweat from your workout, the ingredients in many artificial tanners may not activate properly and won’t last as long as they otherwise would.
Plus, sweat acts as an exfoliant—which can strip away self-tanner layers faster than you’d like them to. Many self-tanners also contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin if left on.
Since your skin is already in a weakened state after a workout due to increased sensitivity and inflammation, it might not be wise to make matters worse by applying fake tan products that don’t mix well with perspiration. So, it can be best to wait until after you shower before applying any self-tanning product.
Is It Okay to Workout After Tanning Bed Use?
The short answer is that it depends on how much time has passed between the two activities. Many professionals recommend waiting at least 24 hours before exercising, to look after your bronzed glow.
Due to the drying effect that can occur with exercise and sweat combined with the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from tanning beds. Exercising too soon after tanning can result in extreme sunburn and even cause skin peeling or blistering.
Individuals should allow more time if they have used an especially high-powered UV tanning bed; be sure to wait 48–72 hours after exposure in those cases.
Even if you feel fine when leaving the tanning salon, extra precautions should still be taken to ensure long-term safety when engaging in physical activity post-tanning session.
Before beginning any exercise routine, make sure your body is adequately hydrated and protected by sunscreen or other protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses or lightweight pants/shirts with SPF protection built into them.
Letting your skin cool down slowly also helps counterbalance some of its effects; opt for low-impact activities such as walking or swimming until you know that waiting longer will not harm your complexion.
So, try not to rush the process and give yourself enough time so that working out won’t cause extra damage later on down the road.
How Long Should I Wait to Shower After Tanning with Self Tan?
Showering after a self-tan is a critical part of the process to ensure that your tan lasts as long as possible. For best results, you should wait at least eight hours before showering or swimming, and preferably longer if you can. This will allow enough time for your self-tan to fully develop before washing it off in any way.
After your tanning session, try not to touch your skin too much or cover up with tight clothes. Doing either of these things while the product is still activating may interfere with its performance and leave you with an uneven tan.
If you can, avoid sweating excessively as this could cause streaks or blotchiness in the tanned areas, after the self tanning process.
Use lukewarm water when showering after fake tanning because hot water can strip the pigment away from your skin more quickly than cooler temperatures would.
Your choice of products is recommended, since harsh soaps and body washes can contain chemicals that speed up fading or even remove certain aspects of a self-tan altogether.
Opt for mild versions without additives like moisturizing oils which may break down the color faster from your bronze glow, than expected.
Make sure to moisturize regularly following tanning sessions, as this helps keep skin hydrated throughout its lifespan so that patches don’t appear prematurely due to dryness caused by sun exposure or other elements in the environment.
Can I Workout Before a Spray Tan?
Working out before spray tanning can be beneficial to ensure that you get an even and flawless finish. Sweating helps open up the pores and removes dead skin cells, which will help you get an even tan.
Exercising can make your body temperature rise, helping with the absorption of the active ingredients, and tanning agents in your tanning solution. However, if you choose to workout before spray tanning, make sure your skin is completely dry before being sprayed.
The heat from your body combined with sweat can create a barrier on the skin that prevents the solution from fully absorbing, resulting in patchy areas, dark spots or blotches. It is also advisable to wait at least 4–6 hours after sweating until getting your tan done, so you don’t end up washing away any of its effectiveness.
It is also recommended that you shower and exfoliate before working out, as this will help create a clean surface for application of the product.
When preparing for a spray tan, it is best practice to avoid lotions or oils applied right beforehand as these may act as protective layers preventing optimal absorption of the product, for the perfect sun-kissed glow.
How Can I Avoid Streaks when Applying Self-Tan?
Before applying self-tan, exfoliate the skin using a cloth or a body scrub to remove dead skin and any residue from previous tanning sessions. After application, wait until the self-tan has dried and dust the skin lightly with baby powder to absorb any excess moisture.
Wear loose clothing after the tanning session to allow your skin to breathe and avoid sweat from forming. All these steps can help to prevent streaking and ensure the best results.
How Long Will My Self-Tan Last?
The life of your tan depends on how well you take care of it. It can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks. To give your self-tan the best chance, ensure that you moisturize daily and avoid activities that may dry out the skin, such as hot baths or showers. Regular exfoliation can also help remove dead skin cells and prevent an uneven tan from forming.
Can I Use a Sunbed Instead of Self-Tanning?
The use of sunbeds is not recommended due to the harmful effects of UV rays. It’s best to opt for a safer option like self-tanning products.
Can I Tan without Using a Tanning Lotion or Spray?
Yes, you can tan without using a tanning lotion or spray, but exposure to UV rays can be damaging to the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. It’s recommended to use a self-tanner like a lotion, mousse or spray that doesn’t expose the skin to harmful rays.
How Long Does It Take for A Self-Tan to Develop?
The time it takes for a self-tan to develop depends on the product you use. Some self-tanning products may take up to 24 hours to reach their full effect. Be sure to read the instructions carefully for the product you’re using to get the most natural-looking tan.
Can I Do Self-Tanning Before a Workout?
It’s generally not recommended to do self-tanning before a workout as you may sweat excessively causing your tan to streak or develop unevenly. It’s best to wait until after your workout and shower to get the best results. If you’re planning a spray tan before working out, wait a couple of hours after the spray tan session to allow the product to dry and settle.
Summary
Whether you are looking to achieve a natural-looking bronze glow with self tanning products, or need to prep your skin before exercising, understanding the fundamentals of how and when to use these products can help maintain a healthy, bronzed complexion.
When it comes to tanning before or after working out sessions, keep in mind that each approach has its pros and cons – if you intend to show off your golden glow straight away post session, go for pre-workout application; whereas choosing post-workout tanning gives you the advantage of longer lasting effects.
Overall, proper prep is essential: ensure skin is clean and free from sweat before applying any artificial product, follow application instructions carefully and remember sunscreen when going outdoors. With these simple steps in mind, you’ll be beach ready all year round.
All products featured on Gemma Etc. are PR samples or gifted items, unless otherwise indicated. This post may contain affiliate links. If you wish to find out more, please see my Disclaimer within my navigation bar.