10 tips to make your spray tan last longer

Love the look of your spray tan, but hate to see it fade too quickly?  You can save a lot of money – and your tan – by following these tricks to keep your tan lasting longer.

Exfoliate & shave the day before (24 hours before)
By exfoliating the day before, the spray will be on a fresh layer of skin – yes, really.  Exfoliating will help remove dead skin.  Just don’t scrub too vigorously, as you don’t want to break the skin, as the tanning solution can cause irritation.

Avoid deodorant, perfume and face covering makeup
Some products can interact with the spray tan chemicals and leave you with a splotchy or uneven tan in those areas.  Play it safe and don’t wear foundation, perfume or deodorant to your appointment, or ask the spray tan technician about what you can wear with the product they use.

Wait to shower
Wait at least 4-6 hours before showering.  8 hours is better and overnight is best.

Skip your workout
It is best to skip your workout – or anything else that will cause you to sweat – for the first 24 hours.  Skip it guilt free!’

Avoid the pool and the spa
Chlorine and other chemicals in the pool will do a number on your spray tan, so forgo for the first 24 hours.

Your first shower after tan
Don’t give yourself a good scrub or shave your legs.  Make it a quickie and skip your exfoliating scrub.

Moisturize well
Keep your skin moisturized with lotion to keep that spray tan lasting longer.  Use your good quality moisturizer, not your dollar store bargain.  You can also use tinted moisturizer to help keep your tan as well.

Hydrate well
Avoid your skin from drying out by drinking plenty of water.

Pat dry don’t rub
Never rub when you dry yourself off after a shower or working out.  Patting dry is best.

Avoid exfoliating – exfoliate the day before instead.  Exfoliating will remove the layer of skin with the spray tan, and can also leave you looking blotchy.

If you still find your spray tan is fading more quickly than the tanning salon said it would, be sure to go back to the salon to question it.  If they say it lasts 4 weeks, but it is noticeably faded after a week, it could have been the tanning solution wasn’t mixed properly or they used the wrong “shade” on you when they initially spray tanned you.

Don’t forget that a spray tan will not stop you from getting a sunburn, it isn’t considered a base tan.