You just left the spray tan booth and you are thrilled with your results. Your skin looks like you’ve been on a tropical vacation for weeks, when really, you haven’t left Connecticut. Now it’s time to treat your spray tan right so it lasts—if you take care of your spray tan, you can maintain your glow for as long as 14 days after your sunless tanning application (7-10 days is average). Here are our best tips to prolong the length of your spray tan:
Use Spray Tan Extenders
The absolute best thing you can do to prolong your spray tan is to use spray tan extenders. While any non-oil-based lotion will help (oily ones can make the color come off), you will get superior results if you use one that was specifically made for extending spray tans. Spray tan extenders offered at Tommy’s Tanning contain ingredients that help draw the sunless tanning solution deeper into your skin, so it will take longer for all of the skin cells to slough away. Tan-extending lotions also contain prime moisturizing ingredients to keep your skin supple.
Avoid Products That Strip Your Skin
Once your skin cells die, there goes your spray tan, so your job is to make your skin’s replacement cycle take as long as possible. In addition to moisturizing, you should just as diligently avoid products that wreak havoc on your skin’s pH levels. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Acne Products
- Facial Masks
- Petroleum Jelly
- Make-up Removers
- Insect Repellent
- Anti-aging Products
- Toners with Witch Hazel
- Wax Hair Removers
- Anything with Alcohol
Limit Water Exposure
It is crucial that you give your spray tan ample time to set before you rinse it off. A minimum of eight hours is recommended before you hop in the shower, but the longer you can wait, the deeper the tan will get. That’s why a lot of people prefer getting a spray tan in the evening and keeping it on as they sleep. When it is time to shower, skip the soap the first time around try to keep it quick. Water and soap both dry out your skin, which causes the skin cells to replenish quicker than they should. And when you get out, only gently pat your skin to dry it—rubbing is a spray tan’s biggest enemy. Avoid the pool or the gym for at least a day as well to make sure nothing is washing away the sunless tanning solution before its time.
Get Another Spray Tan
Even though it’s a sad day when your spray tan dissipates, there is some good news: the more often you get a spray tan, the more accustom your skin becomes to it, so it will hold the color longer. However, there is a caveat. You need to make sure the first spray tan is completely gone first so your skin can be properly exfoliated to absorb the new sunless tanning solution.
At Tommy’s Tanning, we are equipped with the most advanced sunless tanning machines on the market today, and they are sure to give you the gorgeous glow you have been dreaming of. Stop by one of our 14 Connecticut locations today and your only regret will be not coming sooner.
