Spray tanning is a great way to achieve a flawless, tanned look on your skin, minus the harmful UV rays. However, the effectiveness of any spray tan highly depends on the care you take. And just like prep-work is crucial, it’s also vital to take the right aftercare.
Failing to ensure the right care or committing mistakes with your newly-tanned skin can end up leaving you with an uneven or blotchy look and even premature fading of the tan. So, to ensure lasting and effective results for your tan, here are some crucial things you should not do after spray tanning.
8 Things To Avoid After Spray Tanning
1. Do not bathe or swim right after spray tan
One of the crucial don’ts of spray tanning is bathing or swimming right after tanning. When you’ve had newly-tanned skin, you need to avoid making any contact with water, moisture, or even sweat. So, make sure you stay away from showers for the recommended amount of time or until your tan has fully developed and dried.
2. Do not exfoliate after a spray tan
Besides bathing, it’s also recommended not to exfoliate your skin after a spray tan. Exfoliation involves aggressive scrubbing on your skin to remove dead cells. This rough treatment can result in patchy look or easy fading of your tan. So, it’s best to exfoliate a day before the session and not after tanning.
3. Do not wax/shave after a spray tan
Waxing or shaving isn’t ideal to do right after the tanning. Once you’ve applied the tan, any type of hair removal can wear off the shade too. That might result in undesired results and short-living tan. Therefore, just like exfoliation, keep waxing or shaving limited to prep-work and avoid it after spray tanning.
4. Do not manicure and pedicure post tan
Another thing you should not do after a tan is getting a beauty treatment. Manicure and pedicure involve soaking your hands and feet which can dissolve the spray tan’s color. If you need to have a touch-up, prefer manicuring or pedicuring beforehand. Doing it post spray tan might end up in quick fading of your tan.
5. Do not rub the color after application
After a spray tan, resist touching or rubbing the color in. You might feel tempted to do so after the application but try resisting it. Rubbing the tan, especially when it hasn’t dried well, can spread it or result in uneven tanning. So, make sure you spray the shade well and do not rub the color after application.
6. Do not wear tight clothing
Considering the right clothing after a tan is one of the crucial dos and don’ts of spray tanning. Ideally, you should not hurry putting it on until the tan dries completely. And even when it dries well, prefer to wear only loose and baggy clothing after getting a tan. Wearing tight-fitted and restrictive clothing can rub the color against your skin and result in patchy look.
7. Do not forget to moisturize
Unlike exfoliating or hair removal, moisturization is something you should never avoid. Keeping your skin hydrated is one of the best ways to help a tan last longer and reap all the benefits of spray tanning. So, make sure you do not miss moisturizing your skin with a quality moisturizer regularly after a spray tan, avoiding it right on the day of tanning, however.
8. Do not use oil-based products
While right hydration and after care is crucial, using wrong products after a spray tan can do more harm than good. So, whether you’re using a sunscreen, a cosmetic, or a moisturizer after tanning, do not choose oil-based or fragranced products. Oil can break down the tan’s color easily, shortening its lifespan. Opt for safer ones without added fragrances.
Summing Up
To get the most out of your spray tan, knowing what NOT to do is crucial. The don’ts of spray tanning include exfoliating, waxing, and bathing right after it. Moreover, you should also avoid rubbing the color, wearing tight clothes, and failing to moisturize to get the best results after spray tanning.
