Planning a beach trip and want to make sure your tan stays intact while you’re away? Have you been wondering how long does a spray tan last?
I’m going to share the answer, giving you the details of spray tans and discuss how long they last with variables such as lifestyle, upkeep, and skin type taken into consideration. Keep reading to learn more…
What Factors Influence How Long Spray Tans Last?
Spray tans are an increasingly popular way for people to get that sun-kissed look without having to worry about the damaging effects of the sun.
But, just like all forms of tanning, spray tans do not last forever. There are a number of factors that influence how long a spray tan will last, including skin type and condition, lifestyle habits, and climate.
For starters, skin type has a big influence on how long a spray tan lasts, after your spray tan appointment.
People with dryer or more porous skin tend to have less durable tans than those with naturally oily or hydrated skin types.
So, if you want your tan to last longer, it’s important to keep your skin well moisturized.
Those who exfoliate regularly before getting the treatment generally find that their tans last for longer periods of time as this removes dead skin cells which can cause patches in the coloration of the tan.
Your lifestyle choices can also affect how long your spray tan will stay looking great.
For example, intense exercise or physical activities such as swimming can strip away layers of your tan fairly quickly due to sweat and chlorine from pools.
Wearing looser clothing is often recommended after getting a spray tan so tight clothes don’t rub off the coloration or cause uneven fading across certain areas where pressure points occur during movement.
Finally climate conditions play an important role in determining how long your spray tan will last.
Hot and humid weather encourages faster fading, so if you live in these conditions, it’s particularly important to take extra care when looking after your tinted complexion.
How To Prepare For A Spray Tan?
Preparing for a spray tan is an important step to ensure you get the best look and most even coverage possible. Before getting your spray tan, it is important to exfoliate your skin.
This will help eliminate any dry or dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth before applying the spray tan.
If you intend to shave any areas of your body before the spray tan appointment, make sure you do this at least 12 hours in advance, as freshly shaven skin can cause uneven patches when receiving a spray tan.
After shaving, it is also beneficial to apply an oil-free moisturizer or lotion to help keep moisture locked into the skin while also avoiding too much oil being applied as this can prevent even coverage when receiving the spray tan.
To make your spray tan last, limit activities such as swimming or sweating immediately after getting sprayed until the product has had time to fully develop, which can vary depending on that type of solution used but usually takes 8–12 hours.
Showering post-tan is okay but try not to scrub hard when washing off excess bronzing solution—patting yourself dry instead of rubbing with a towel helps preserve its life and ensures maximum color pay-off.
Should You Moisturize In The Hours Before Your Spray Tan?
When it comes to getting a spray tan, you should always moisturize your skin in the hours before you get one.
Applying a light layer of moisturizer to your body beforehand can help even out your tan and make it last as long as possible.
Moisturizing your skin can also protect it from the chemicals in the tanning solution; this will allow the color to absorb into the surface of your skin and leave behind an even finish.
You don’t want your tan looking streaky or patchy.
Regular moisturizing after you have gotten a spray tan can help make it last longer and give you more bang for your buck.
How Long Does A Spray Tan Last?
A spray tan is a great way to achieve sun-kissed skin without spending hours in the sun. Spray tans generally last from five to ten days, but there are some things that you can do to help your tan last longer.
First, immediately after the spray tan application, you should avoid any activities that involve water or heavy sweating for at least eight hours.
This will help to ensure that your tan stays on for its full life span.
Post-spray tan care is essential if you want your spray can last as long as possible. After showering, be sure to pat yourself dry rather than rubbing off any of the product.
You should also moisturize twice daily with a quality moisturizer and use a mild soap in between showers so that it doesn’t strip away your color too quickly.
Investing in an oil-free sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is important not just for making your tan last longer, but also for protecting your skin from sun damage and premature aging due to UV rays exposure.
Limit yourself to short (maximum 20 minute) baths or showers, and try not avoid scrubbing exfoliants whilst bathing, which could cause fading prematurely too.
Overall, by taking extra care of your spray tan and following these simple tips, it’s easy enough to make sure it lasts as long as possible.
But bear in mind, no matter how much effort you put into prolonging the life of your tan, eventually all good things must come to an end and eventually a spray tan will fade away completely after around 10 days.
Though this may vary from person to person depending on their skin type and coloring, always take special post-spray care precautions such as moisturizing regularly, so you can keep enjoying the golden glow of a summery bronze glow until then.
How To Maintain Your Spray Tan
Maintaining your spray tan is key if you want to make the most out of it. It will help extend the life of your spray tan, making sure that you look bronzed and beautiful for as long as possible.
To prevent the spray tan from fading too quickly, start by regularly moisturizing your skin with a hydrating and nourishing cream or lotion.
This helps to keep healthy skin, which will consequently prevent the tan from fading faster than expected.
Showering for at least 24 hours after getting a spray tan is also essential; showering and bathing before this point may strip away some of the product, making it harder to get even coverage when applied again.
Try to avoid any type of activity that causes you to heavily sweat as this too can reduce how long your spray tan lasts; limit exercise sessions during this time frame as well as steam rooms, spas and hot yoga classes.
After your first shower following a spray tan session, continue showering daily with lukewarm water and use a gentle body wash that does not contain harsh ingredients such as sulfates which can be drying on the skin, particularly if used repeatedly over time.
Be sure not to scrub too hard when washing so that you don’t remove any of the product prematurely.
Using a loofah or soft cloth instead is recommended to gently exfoliate without risking pore damage or especially long/drawn-out shower times, which both decrease how long your sunless glow remains intact.
After each shower, use an oil free moisturizer immediately afterward on all areas where you have received a faux bronze treatment from your local tanning salon.
Tips To Make Your Spray Tan Last Longer
Spray tanning has become a popular alternative to sunbathing to obtain that tanned look. In fact, with the right technique and preparation, and spray tan tips, a spray tan can last up to 10 days.
Here are some tips on how to keep your tan looking great for as long as possible.
Exfoliate your skin before you spray tan. This will remove any dead cells and help make sure that the color of your skin has an even tan.
You may also want to avoid wearing tight clothing while you have a spray tan so that it does not cause any marks or lines from rubbing against the fabric.
Try to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated both before and after getting a spray tan. This will help prevent dryness, which can cause the color of the spray tan to fade faster.
Use oil-free lotions and creams because oils can break down the organic compounds in some self-tanning sprays, which could cause your spray tan to fade faster than expected.
Third, limit yourself from swimming in public pools or taking hot showers when you have a spray tan since chlorine in the water or hot water can remove some of the pigment from your skin, which would make it fade quicker than usual. Make sure to shower using lukewarm water instead if possible.
If needed, you may want to invest in a good quality SPF sunscreen for when outdoors so that it won’t cause premature fading of your spray tan due to exposure from harmful UV rays from the sun’s light spectrum.
This way, you’ll be able to keep your glowy glow for longer. Following these simple tips is definitely going to give make you look beautiful with an even natural looking bronze tint that could potentially last up to ten days.
Can You Wax After A Professional Spray Tan?
Waxing or shaving after a professional spray tan is not recommended, as it can disrupt your beautiful tan and create undesirable tan lines.
A spray tan helps give you an even, natural-looking glow, and waxing or shaving afterward can cause the product to be applied unevenly or removed in certain areas.
This can result in your tan fading quickly and not lasting as long as it should. Additionally, by waxing or shaving off before your spray tan has fully set, you could also risk causing irritation to freshly tanned skin due to the wax removing the newly settled product from its pores.
If you want to help your spray tan last longer, there are other ways that don’t involve waxing or shaving.
Taking care of your skin any time before and after a professional spray tan will make it much more likely for the color to last for days afterward.
For example, exfoliate before getting sprayed by using a gentle scrub, which will help slough off dead skin cells and allow for better adherence of products when being sprayed with a new layer of bronzer.
Summary
When considering how long a spray tan lasts, there are different factors which can make a spray tan last longer, and keep your tan looking fresh. Spray tans are advertised to last for at last ten says, but it depends on your brand of new tan, and how you prepare for your spray tan.
To ensure your tan lasts for as long as possible, it’s important to exfoliate your skin before and after the application, moisturize regularly post-tan, limit activities that cause heavy sweating and use oil-free sunscreen with a SPF of 30.
It is also worth avoiding waxing or shaving while the tan is developing (8–12 hours) as this could cause irritation to freshly tanned skin.
Overall, if you take the best care of your spray tan with these tips in mind, you should be able to achieve a wonderful glow lasting days afterward.
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