Just arrived home from your spray tan appointment, and wondering how long after a spray tan can you shower? For a natural-looking tan, it’s generally advised to wait around 6 - 8 hours before stepping into water, though there are some fast-acting formulas that can have you shower-ready in 2 - 4 hours.
If in doubt, speak to your tanning salon technician. Below, we’ll run through everything you need to know about taking your first shower after getting a spray tan, including outlining some handy tips to ensure that your spray tan lasts as long as possible.
When Is the Right Time to Take Your First Shower after Spray Tan?
It’s generally best to wait around 6 - 8 hours before getting a shower. Waiting that amount of time should be enough, though there’s no harm in waiting a little longer if you’re in a position to do so.
Your post-spray tan needs time to dry, and showering too soon after your spray tan session runs the risk of a streaky tan. Keep in mind, however, that there can be multiple answers to the question, ‘How long after spray tan can you shower?’
There are rapid-developing tan solutions that dry extremely quickly, which means you can hop in the shower a few hours after your appointment and still expect a long-lasting glow. You can ask the technician who applies the fake tan what solution they used.
You don’t just have to rely on counting the hours to make sure that you can jump in the shower without affecting the tan’s longevity or quality. There are a few other simple tests you can do. For instance, you can check the bronzer guide color, which is the product technicians apply to the skin to see where the tanning product has been applied.
If that looks settled on your skin, then you’ll likely be shower-ready. You can also test if you can get your tan wet by simply touching it; if it feels dry and smooth, then the waiting game is over, and you can get in the shower.
How Long Should You Wait to Shower After a Spray Tan?
While it’s important to know how long to wait to shower after spray tan, keep in mind that there’s no hard-and-fast rule. It mostly comes down to how quickly the product’s DHA — the ingredient responsible for the tanning — can darken the skin. For most spray tans, that process will take around 6 - 8 hours.
However, it’s worthwhile speaking with your technician about the spray solution they’re using (or reading the ingredient labels of products that you use at home) to check, since different brands have different guidelines. The wait time can also be influenced by skin type and the environment.
People with oily skin tend to absorb DHA more quickly than those with dry skin, while dry environments can prevent the tan from fully developing until the full waiting period has passed.
Ultimately, if possible, it’s best to wait the full amount of time, or perhaps even until the next morning, until you shower. You can also set up your appointment so that you’ll have hours after your spray until you even need to shower.
What Happens If You Shower Too Soon?
People usually don’t ask ‘How long after a spray tan can you shower’ out of curiosity. They ask because they’re concerned about what the impact on their spray tan will be. Showering too early can produce a wide range of unwanted side effects, including streaking, patchiness, and an uneven tan — not the result you were hoping for!
DHA needs time to settle into the skin, and if you shower too early, especially using hot water or body wash that contains harmful ingredients, then there’s every chance that the tan product comes off in the shower or on your towel when drying.
If you have minor issues, then use a product like Fake Bake to make corrections — it’s excellent for improving tan, ensuring that you’ll look great for that special event, even if things aren’t looking so perfect when you first step out of the shower. In a pinch, liquid foundation can help.
How to Shower After a Spray Tan Without Ruining It?
The best way to shower after a spray tan is to wait the recommended amount of time, which is typically around 6 - 8 hours. You’ll also want to check that the cosmetic bronzer is fully dried and that you’re not using any body scrubs or oil-based products, since they can break down DHA.
Using bar soaps that use natural ingredients, and showering quickly in warm water (not hot water!) will give you the best chance of stepping out with a perfect tan. Also note that other shower activities, such as shaving, washing your hair, or using mineral oil cleansers, are also best avoided.
What to Avoid When Showering After a Spray Tan
Showering after a spray tan can feel nice, but it’s important to do it the right way to ensure your tan looks as good as possible. If in doubt, the best approach is to wait eight hours, step in, rise with lukewarm water, and then air dry or gently rub with a towel.
Hot water, staying in the shower for too long, and rubbing your skin with harsh cleansers — rubbing acts effectively as a tan remover — are surefire ways to get disappointing results from your tan.
It’s also best to avoid chlorinated swimming pools and saltwater swimming, or doing anything that’ll have you working up a sweat.
When Can You Use Soap and Moisturizers?
You can shower after around 6 - 8 hours, but it’s best to wait until 24 hours after your spray tan before you use soap products in the shower, and even then, they should be mild soap products that are gentle on the skin.
Beauty stores sell sulfate-free body washes that are perfect for caring for spray tans. You can start using moisturizers after your first shower. It’s recommended to do so, actually, since well-hydrated skin will retain its tan longer.
Just be sure to avoid oil-based products for the first few days until the DHA has fully settled in.
Does Shower Water Quality Affect Your Spray Tan?
It’s not just when you shower that matters, but the water that you use to shower. Hard water that contains chlorine and minerals can lead to tan patchiness as well as faster fading.
Highly chlorinated or softened water can lead to DHA breakdown and uneven fading, respectively. To avoid this impact, take a quick shower and dry your skin gently. Adding a shower filter can also make a huge difference.
What If Your Tan Looks Uneven After Showering?
Even if you’ve done everything right, such as showering using lukewarm water and avoiding long showers, it’s still possible that your tan doesn’t result in the golden glow you were expecting. Your current shower products may be responsible, or perhaps the spray wasn’t applied correctly. If that happens to you, don’t worry.
There are troubleshooting strategies you can try to get things back on track. You can use a tanning mitt, producing circular motions over streaky areas. It’ll help produce an even, light tan. You can also use gradual tanning lotions or self-tan correctors, both of which can produce a consistent tan.
If you’re still not happy, then schedule a touch-up at the salon. It’s sometimes easier to just remove the tan from the body and start over again.
Can a Shower Filter Help Preserve Your Spray Tan?
If you’re someone who regularly gets a spray tan, then it may be worthwhile investing in a quality shower filter. Chlorine, hard water, and heavy metals can strip the tan, resulting in uneven patches and reduced longevity.
Adding a shower filter to improve the quality of your water can have a significant impact on both the longevity and appearance of your tan, as well as lead to generally improved skin health. It does this by removing the harsh chemicals that can cause premature fading and skin irritations.
At AquaBliss, we offer a range of shower filters that are affordable, easy to install, and don’t affect the shower’s water pressure. That’s all the benefits of showering in quality water, without any of the drawbacks.
How to Maintain Your Spray Tan for a Longer-Lasting Glow
You can greatly enhance the longevity of your tan with a little bit of daily self-care and maintenance. If you’ve been reading our answers to the question ‘How long after spray tan can I shower’ above, then you’ll know that we’re big advocates of lukewarm showers.
Beyond that, you can maintain your golden glow by using oil-free moisturizers every day to keep your skin properly hydrated. And while you might be told to avoid exfoliating, it can actually be a good strategy, since it’ll help to prevent the ‘fade unevenly’ and unsightly streaks problem.
Many people return to the tanning salon or buy common brands from the supermarket, not because the tan has disappeared, but because it’s no longer even. Using exfoliating products helps prevent this issue. It’s also recommended to wear loose-fitting clothes and gently pat the skin so that the top layer of the tan isn’t removed.
Final Shower Tips for An Awesome Tan
You’ll get a better-looking, longer-lasting spray tan if you follow the recommended showering practices for a healthy glow. That includes waiting 6 - 8 hours until showering and avoiding soap products until 24 hours have passed.
Remember that the quality of the water in which you shower also makes a big difference. To improve your shower’s water quality, check out our shower filter collection that we offer here at Aquabliss.
