How to Make Your Spray Tan Last Longer

How Long Does a Spray Tan Last?

With the proper prep and aftercare, Evans says a spray tan can last between 10 days and two weeks. At-home formulas will usually last for a slightly shorter time—think one week to 10 days. The more you exfoliate your skin and the more you sweat, the faster your tan is likely to fade. Swimming can also cause the color to fade.

How to Make a Spray Tan Last Longer: 15 Spray Tan Tips

1. Exfoliate your skin ahead of time

“The best way to prepare your skin for a spray tan is to start exfoliating a few days before, ideally making your last exfoliation eight hours before the actual spray tan,” says Evans. Exfoliating too soon before your spray tan can lower your skin’s pH level, she says, which could result in a lighter, less pigmented tan. Most tanning technicians will use a pH-balancing product on your skin before they apply your tan. Evans recommends the St. Tropez Tan Remover Prep and Maintain Mousse, which works well for at-home tanning sessions, too. We also recommend the L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel that’s gentle on skin and inspired by professional-grade peels.

2. Schedule your waxing and shaving around your tan

If you’re getting waxed, make sure to do so at least 24 hours before your spray tan. “When you wax, your pores are slightly open, so applying a spray tan so shortly after can lead to darkened, spotty pores,” says Evans. Shaving, however, is fine—Evans says that most people can shave the morning of or the day after their spray tans without encountering any problems. “If you shave facial hair daily, you may follow your normal grooming routine,” she says.

3. Avoid body-care products before your spray tan

The day of your spray tan, stay away from applying any thick body lotions, perfumes, and oils. These can discolor the spray tan and make it harder for it to grip onto your skin, which could result in patchiness. You should also remove your deodorant with a cleansing wipe prior to your spray tan application as it could turn your spray tan a funky green color.

4. Get a professional spray tan

“Traditional spray tans generally last a little longer, and the spray tan technician can control the depth of color better,” says Evans. Along with improving the longevity of your tan and helping you find a better color match, going to a pro means you won’t have to worry about accidentally missing a hard-to-reach spot by your back or shoulders.

5. Make your first shower a lukewarm one

After you get a spray tan, it’s important to wait the appropriate amount of time before your first shower (typically about eight hours). But Evans says it’s also important to make sure the temperature of the water doesn’t get too hot—she says lukewarm water is best for your first shower post-spray tan. (It’s also a better temperature for your skin overall.) After you step out of the shower, pat your skin dry with a towel. Don't rub, or else you may remove some of the fresh color.

6. Moisturize daily

It’s important to moisturize your skin as you normally would to help prolong your spray tan. After you shower, gently apply a body lotion of your choice. One of our favorite body lotions is the La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer for Dry Skin. Formulated with ceramide-3, shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin and La Roche-Posay’s proprietary prebiotic thermal spring water, it keeps your skin satiny soft and nourished. It works for all skin types and is accepted by the National Eczema Association.

7. Use a gentle exfoliator

Even if you get a professional spray tan, the color will eventually start to fade. Help it fade evenly and avoid patchy areas by gently exfoliating your skin every few days using a fine body scrub or body polish. Make sure the exfoliating granules in your scrub aren’t too chunky or harsh, or else you may irritate your skin and lift extra color. We recommend the Youth to the People 10% AHA + Yerba Mate Smoothing Energy Body Scrub, which gently buffs away rough texture and smooths skin with a blend of antioxidants, AHAs, and upcycled olive seed powder.

8. Avoid using acne treatments

Acne treatments often contain harsh ingredients that help clear up blemishes and also strip your skin, which can cause your spray tan to lose its color quickly. Leave products that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid out of your skincare routine to help extend the life of your spray tan as long as possible.

9. Use oil-free skincare products

Along with acne treatments, skincare products that contain oil can also break down the color of your spray tan early, no matter if it's done professionally or with self-tanner products at home. We suggest sticking with oil-free cleansers and moisturizing lotions until your spray tan fully fades.

10. Apply a gradual body self-tanner

Keep your spray tan looking fresh by applying a gradual self-tanning body moisturizer three to four days after you get it done. “Applying a light gradual tan moisturizer will add depth and glow to your spray tan,” says Evans. She recommends the St. Tropez Gradual Tan Watermelon Firming Lotion. We also like the L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion, which gives the skin a subtle hint of shimmer. You can apply both formulas as you would a regular body lotion to soften your skin and deepen your tan. It will also help even out any patches that fade faster than others.

11. Apply a face self-tanner

Evans says the tan on your hands and face will fade the quickest, since these are the areas you wash and cleanse the most. She suggests investing in a facial tanning spray to mist on both. “Facial tanners are formulated lighter than body self-tanners, so they are also the ideal product to tan your hands with,” says Evans. “The hands can develop a lot darker than the body, so the face mist works wonders on the hands. Just wipe the nails and cuticles clean after application to avoid any staining.”

We also love tanning drops, which are easy to use and mix with your daily moisturizer for a subtle and buildable dose of color. We recommend the L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops.

12. Avoid sweating and swimming

Any type of moisture can cause your spray tan to fade, especially an intense sweat session, which is why Evans says it’s important to to avoid going to the gym the day following your spray tan. She recommends using an express tanning solution if you’re someone who works out every day.

13. Stay out of the rain right after your spray tan

In addition to swimming and gym sessions, stepping out into the rain right after getting a spray tan can leave you with streaks and an uneven application that will be difficult to fix. Since there’s not much that can be done about the weather, stay on the offense by checking the forecast before your appointment and keeping an umbrella within arm’s reach.

14. Minimize skin contact for the first few hours

Right after getting a spray tan, it’s important to be mindful of body position while the application is still fresh. Skin-on-skin contact can easily cause the color to rub off, simply from touching or sitting with your legs crossed. We know this is easier said than done, but it’s one of our most important spray tan tips. Try to avoid physical interaction as much as possible in the first few hours until the spray tan has set.

15. Wear loose clothing

When thinking about what to wear for a spray tan, we suggest sticking with loose, dark clothing. Evans says that tight gym clothes can rub off your tan, the same way a sweaty workout can. “Any item of clothing that leaves indentation marks could lead to darker marks left on the skin,” says Evans. If an elastic waistband or bra strap does dig into your skin and leaves a dark mark, don’t worry too much—you can easily remove it in the shower with a washcloth or exfoliating mitt. Evans recommends the St. Tropez Remover Mitt, which helps buff away dry, dead skin cells, too.

How Long Does It Take for a Spray Tan to Dry?

Every formula will vary, but you should wait at least 10 minutes before putting your clothes back on after a spray tan appointment, or until your skin no longer feels tacky. If it’s still slightly sticky to the touch, try to wait a little longer.

How Long After a Spray Tan Can You Shower?

An important part of what to do after a spray tan is determining when to shower. The answer depends on which spray tan solution you use, according to Evans. If you’re using a spray tanner at home, check the instructions on the package or bottle. If you’re getting a professional spray tan, ask your technician when they recommend you take your first shower. Evans says you will generally have to wait about eight hours before showering, and twelve hours before swimming or hitting the gym.

Some self-tanners, such as the St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mist, are known as express solutions, which gradually develop over time. You can let the formula develop for one hour to achieve a subtle tan, two hours for a medium tan, or three hours for a deep tan, says Evans. We also love the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse, which dries down quickly and develops with daily use for a natural sunkissed look.

Pro Tip: Evans says that express solutions like these are best for those who exercise daily, live in a hot climate, or go through hot flashes—essentially, they’re better at withstanding sweat than most other formulas.

If your skin looks a little too orange for your liking immediately after you get a spray tan, don’t panic—your first shower will remove the excess tanning solution and leave you with your final shade.

Next Up: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide to How to Apply Self-Tanner