We all love to have a gorgeous tan with smooth and glowing skin. And we are faced with two clear tanning options. Do we go for suntanning? Or can we opt for artificial tanning? The latter is always a better choice because it is safer. Suntanning comes with health risks. The UV rays of the sun have been linked to skin cancer.
One safe way to tan your skin is going for a spray tan. You will enter a machine-operated tanning booth where your body will be coated with a specially prepared tanning solution. Within 10 to 15 minutes, your tanning session will be over.
We love it because it gives an instant tan. People walk out of a tanning booth with a beautiful tan. Due to the fact that it gives an instant tan, a lot of people prefer it to other tanning methods. However, people have been asking several questions about a spray tan.
In this article, we will answer the question. In addition to it, we will also answer other frequently asked questions about a spray tan. So, let’s dive into the heart of the issue right away.
How Long Will It Take A Spray Tan To Develop?
The time it takes to develop depends on the tanner that was used. Normally it takes about 8 to 12 hours for a spray tan to develop fully. The spraying machine only sprays the tanning solution injected into it. Some solutions are thicker than others, and they take a longer time to develop.
Others are relatively lighter, and they take less time to develop. So, you need to wait for at least 8 hours before you do the following:
- Wear tight clothes
- Work out
- Engage in rigorous activities
- Shower with soap or gel
Here is why. If you wear tight clothes before your spray tan develops fully, it is likely to clean off the tan. You’ll have stained clothes to wash, and your tan will fade faster. Secondly, if you work out or do any rigorous activities, you’re likely to sweat. Your sweat could wash off the tan if it has not developed fully.
Bathing with soap or shower gel will wash some of the tan off too. That’s why you have to wait until your spray tan develops fully. Once again, it takes a spray tan about 8 – 12 hours to develop fully.
Does A Spray Tan Develop Over Time?
Yes. Even if you come out of a spray tan booth with a great tan, it will still take several hours for the tan to dry and develop completely. As it develops, your tan will become harder to remove. It will no longer run off. Even if you take a shower after your tan develops, the water won’t be able to wash the tanner off.
However, there’s something you must bear in mind. After about 5 – 7 days, your tan will begin to fade out gradually. You can only extend it by a couple of days. It will still fade out.
How Long Can You Go Between Spray Tans?
There’s no straight answer to this. It’s totally a matter of choice. If your tan fades gracefully and you love it, you can wait until it fades out completely before you go for another spray tan session. At the same time, you can take a spray tan as soon you notice that your tan has begun to fade.
Nevertheless, we will recommend that you go for a spray tan every 9 – 12 days. That way, you’ll be able to maintain your beautiful smooth and tanned skin.
Does Fake Tan Continue To Develop After A Shower?
Yes, a fake tan still develops after you take a shower if it has not fully developed as long as you don’t use soap or shower gel. However, we don’t think it is a good idea to take a shower when your tan has not fully developed. We believe that water sometimes washes off some of the tanner, and this will affect the result of the tanner.
How Do I Prepare For A Spray Tan?
When you’re preparing to go for a spray tan, you need to shave your skin at least 24 hours before the D-day. Hair hinders the proper penetration of fake tans. After shaving your body, you should also exfoliate your body. Dead skin cells prevent a fake tan from reacting with your body as it should. You can exfoliate your skin at least 4 hours before your spray tan.
Rinse your body after exfoliation. Remember, exfoliation opens the pores of the skin, and you could end up with clogged pores. This is why you should take a cold shower to close the pores. Finally, you need to apply a moisturizer to your body before taking a spray tan and after it. The best way to extend the lifespan of your tan is by moisturizing your body every day.
Don’t apply any body creams or lotions that have chemicals to your skin before and after taking a spray tan. They can react with the tan and dissolve some of it, and your tan may fade away prematurely.
How Soon Will I Get Results After A Spray Tan?
The result is instant. You will walk into a spray tan booth without a tan and walk out with a perfect tan. This is the main reason many people prefer this method. It saves you the trouble of applying the tan yourself. However, it takes 8 – 12 hours for the tan to develop fully. Before then, you should not take a shower with soap, work out, or wear tight clothes.
Final Thoughts
Here are the key takeaways from this article. Even though a spray tan gives an instant tan, it takes about 8 – 12 hours for the tan to develop fully. Also, we recommend that you go for a spray tan every 9 – 12 days to maintain your gorgeous tan. Finally, to prepare for a tan, shave, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin.
