How Long Do Spray Tans Last?
How Long Do Spray Tans Last? Here's What Experts Have to Say
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You've probably tried a fair share of self-tanners at home previously, whether it's for a night out, a weekend getaway or just to maintain a nice glow in the summertime. We love self-tanners for their ease in achieving bronzed skin without having to book in a salon appointment because leaving the house and spending money can be one thing too many some days. However, if you're looking for a fake tan that will last, perhaps for that week-long holiday you have booked, or for a friend's wedding, you may want to consider a spray tan.
A spray tan is performed by a skilled professional who would use an airbrush machine for a seamless blend. These are usually done at a salon, but some professionals are freelance and can bring a tanning tent and set-up directly to your home. Your tanning artist will help you pick the right shade and once your spraying session is complete, you'll have a guide colour left on your skin, which you can wash off a few hours later, revealing your new tan. But the question on everyone's minds is: how long can a spray tan really last? Well, the answer depends.
To figure this out, we spoke to tanning brand Isle of Paradise's founder Jules Von Hep for advice and tips on how to make your spray tan last and how to get the most out of them. For the scoop, keep reading.
How Long Does a Spray Tan Last From a Salon?
A good spray tan can last up to 10 days and to prolong it, reach for your water bottle. "You need to keep hydrated. Drink that water! Happy hydrated skin won't shed and will hold onto the colour for longer," Von Hep tells POPSUGAR UK. "For example, if you're on a long-haul flight, try to not drink alcohol as this encourages the tan to fade due to the dehydration on the skin."
Is a Spray Tan Worth the Money?
The price of a spray tan varies from salon to salon, but it will usually be in the range of £25 to £35 for a good-quality, full-body spray. To Von Hep, a spray tan is priceless thanks to the power and confidence it gives you.
How Should I Prep For a Spray Tan?
"The trick to a truly flawless glow is all in the prep," Von Hep explains. "Shave or wax at least 24 hours prior to application and ensure skin is exfoliated with a dry brush, scrub or acid. Exfoliating means the skin will have an even surface, so the final result will be even and, more importantly, it will fade evenly like a natural tan would."
He encourages removing any makeup and deodorant before your appointment, and to avoid using a cleaning oil to remove your makeup as this will act as a barrier to the tan's penetration.
"You can prime your skin using Isle of Paradise Prep It: Tan Primer (£11.16). This will lower your pH and will help the tan penetrate deeper into the skin," Von Hep recommends. "Spray this liberally and allow it to absorb into your skin while you apply an aloe vera based moisturiser to your hands, elbows, knees and feet (including the heels) – if you are fair haired, apply some to your hairline and eyebrows."
How Can I Make My Spray Tan Last Longer?
The big question is how to make your tan last longer, and luckily a lot of these steps can be done at home, with products you'll likely already have. But Von Hep's advice does include making a few changes to your established routines.
"Moisturise your skin every day using an aloe vera based body lotion or butter and drink plenty of water, but you'll want to avoid using retinol, AHAs or BHAs on your skin as these encourage cell turnover on the skin and will cause the tan to fade quicker," he insists. "Avoid harsh exfoliation – by this I mean exfoliating scrubs, gloves and bathing in warm water with bath oils. However a tip I refer to as 'the tickle technique' means you can use an exfoliating body wash to tickle the tan off after it has been on your skin for four to five days, this will help the tan fade more evenly."
Von Hep shares that the darker your choice in tan, the longer it will last, "as it contains a higher level of the self tanning ingredient DHA." With this in mind, there are various factors, like swimming, exercising and travelling that can affect your tan.
"As a rule, get your spray tan at the very last moment you can – so the night before (if you are off to a festival and won't be near a shower), or the morning of your flight if you are going on holiday. For a big event, I always suggest tanning two days before the event, the tan tends to settle itself into the skin with the optimum colour being day two or three."
And if you'll be swimming on your holiday, don't stress. While chlorinated water can strip a self tan, Von Hep recommends dropping a few drops of the Isle of Paradise Self Tan Drops (£19.95) into your after sun to pick your colour back up again.
Can A Spray Tan Last Two Weeks?
Typically, a spray tan can last up to ten days, so making it to the two-week mark might be a bit of a push. Von Hep says tanning back to back for two weeks, followed by a week break could be a good routine, as long as you're using tan removing tips in between.
