How to Maintain a Self-Tan

Moisturizing your skin is essential to maintain your self-tan.

The better you care for your skin, the longer your self-tan will last. Caring for your skin after applying sunless tanning lotion is just as important as preparing your skin before the application. What you put on your skin after applying tanning lotion and your day-to-day activities all affect the appearance of your self-tan. Practice proper aftercare to extend the length of your self-tanned skin.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizer
• Loose clothing
• Sunscreen
• Sunless tanning lotion

Instructions

1. Wait at least 12 hours before taking a shower after applying sunless tanning lotion. Sunless tanning lotion can take up to 24 hours to develop completely. Taking a shower shortly after applying sunless tanner disturbs the developing process. Keep contact with water, whether from showering or swimming, to a minimum because it will fade your tan.

2. Pat your skin dry with a towel after wetting it. Rubbing your skin with a towel will damage your tan.

3. Moisturize your skin daily or whenever needed. Keep your skin moist because dry skin cracks and peels faster. Avoid lotions that contain alpha hydroxy acid and alcohol from perfumes because these will strip your sunless tan. Drink water to keep your skin hydrated and to promote moisture from the inside out.

4. Hold off on shaving unwanted body hair as long as you can because shaving exfoliates your skin, which will fade the tan.

5. Wear loose clothing after applying sunless tanner. Tight clothing rubs against your skin and has an exfoliating affect. Your tan will gradually wear off.

6. Reapply your sunless tanning lotion every three days to maintain your tanned skin tone.

Tips & Warnings

• Always exfoliate before applying sunless tanning lotion. Not exfoliating beforehand can result in skin that peels quickly and a tan that fades fast.

• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen on your skin to protect it from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Apply 1 ounce of sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.

References

• Bronzed Berry: Pro-Tips - After My Tan
• Fit To Be Tab: Preparation - Aftercare
• Sunless: Sunless Tanning Step-By-Step Guide
• California Tan Sunless: Tanning Tips
• Skin Cancer Foundation: Sunscreen Explaines
• Skin Wear: Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish