Spray Tan Aftercare: How to Keep Your Glow Looking Fresh
A professional spray tan can last approximately seven to ten days, depending on your skin, formula, and aftercare routine. The way you rinse, cleanse, moisturize, and care for your skin can make a noticeable difference in how evenly your color wears and fades.
Follow these simple spray tan aftercare tips to keep your South Seas glow looking smooth, hydrated, and natural.
Why Spray Tan Aftercare Matters
Spray tanning solutions use DHA to create temporary color through a reaction with amino acids in the skin’s outermost layer. As those surface skin cells naturally shed, your tan gradually fades.
Dryness, aggressive exfoliation, prolonged water exposure, and friction can make that fading happen more quickly or unevenly. Consistent, gentle skincare helps your color remain smoother throughout the life of your tan.
Step 1: Follow the Correct Rinse Instructions
Your first rinse depends on the formula your spray tan professional used. Always follow the instructions provided by your technician.
South Seas traditional formulas, including Tahitian Medium and Lava Dark, should generally remain on the skin for eight hours before rinsing. Express formulas, including Fiji Express and Espresso Rapid, have a shorter rinse window of two to three hours. Express color will continue developing after the initial rinse, with the full result appearing later.
While your spray tan is developing:
- Avoid showering, swimming, and activities that cause heavy perspiration.
- Keep the skin free from lotions, oils, perfumes, and deodorant.
- Wear loose, dark clothing to minimize rubbing and potential transfer.
- Avoid touching the skin unnecessarily.
When it is time to rinse, use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing the skin. Your technician may provide additional instructions based on the formula and desired depth of color.
Step 2: Cleanse and Moisturize Gently
Once you have completed the recommended rinse and development period, daily hydration becomes an important part of your aftercare routine.
Use a gentle, tan-safe cleanser such as Monoi de Tahiti Body Wash. After bathing, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it with a towel. Apply Monoi de Tahiti Body Lotion daily to keep the skin feeling soft and hydrated. For areas that need additional moisture, follow with Monoi de Tahiti Body Butter.
Pay particular attention to naturally dry areas such as the elbows, knees, ankles, and hands. Consistent hydration helps your tan maintain a smoother appearance and fade more evenly.
Step 3: Avoid Exfoliation During the First Several Days
Exfoliating removes surface skin cells, which can also remove your sunless color. During the first several days after your appointment, avoid:
- Body scrubs and exfoliating mitts
- Strong body acids or exfoliating treatments
- Rough towels or vigorous rubbing
When your tan reaches the end of its life, gentle exfoliation can help remove the remaining color evenly and prepare your skin for your next application or appointment.
Step 4: Be Mindful of Water, Heat, and Perspiration
Avoid water and heavy perspiration completely while your spray tan is developing. Once your color has fully developed, you can return to your normal routine, but certain activities may cause it to fade more quickly.
Long baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, salt water, very hot showers, can contribute to dryness or faster fading. After swimming or exercising, rinse the skin with fresh water when possible, pat dry, and reapply your moisturizer.
Your spray tan does not protect your skin from UV exposure. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when spending time outdoors, and reapply as directed. American Academy of Dermatology
Step 5: Refresh Your Color as It Begins to Fade
Beginning around day four or five, Tahitian Tan Extender can be incorporated into your routine to refresh your color. Apply it evenly every other day or as needed to maintain a light, natural-looking glow.
Tahitian Tan Extender contains a gentle level of DHA, making it different from a standard moisturizer. Wash your hands after applying it and allow the product to dry before dressing.
For additional color, Tahitian Tan Mist can be used for carefully blended touch-ups once the original spray tan has fully developed. If your existing tan has become noticeably uneven, gently exfoliate the remaining color before completing a full new self-tanning application.
Quick Spray Tan Aftercare Tips
- Follow the exact rinse time provided by your spray tan technician.
- Wear loose, dark clothing while the tan develops.
- Keep showers short and lukewarm.
- Pat the skin dry instead of rubbing.
- Moisturize consistently with tan-safe body care.
- Avoid exfoliating until you are ready to remove the remaining color.
- Limit prolonged exposure to pools, hot tubs, and very hot water.
- Continue wearing sunscreen outdoors.
Spray Tan Aftercare FAQs
How long does a spray tan last?
A spray tan generally lasts approximately seven to ten days, although results vary depending on your skin, formula, activities, and aftercare routine.
When can I moisturize after a spray tan?
Wait until you have completed the recommended rinse and follow any additional instructions provided by your technician. Once the appropriate development period has passed, moisturize daily to keep the skin hydrated.
Which South Seas products should I use after a spray tan?
Use Monoi de Tahiti Body Wash for gentle cleansing, Monoi de Tahiti Body Lotion for daily hydration, and Monoi de Tahiti Body Butter when richer moisture is needed. Beginning around day four or five, incorporate Tahitian Tan Extender to refresh and prolong the appearance of your glow.
Can I exercise after a spray tan?
Avoid exercising or perspiring while your tan is developing. Once the full development period has passed, you can resume exercising, but frequent heavy perspiration and showering may cause the tan to fade more quickly.
What should I do before my spray tan?
Exfoliate and complete any shaving approximately 24 hours before your appointment. Arrive with clean, dry skin that is free from lotions, oils, deodorant, perfume, and makeup unless your technician instructs you otherwise.
Keep Your South Seas Glow Going
Great spray tan aftercare does not need to be complicated. Follow the correct rinse instructions, cleanse gently, moisturize consistently, and avoid unnecessary exfoliation. As your color begins to soften, incorporate Tahitian Tan Extender to help keep your glow looking fresh and even.
For complete preparation, application, and aftercare instructions, visit the South Seas Glow Guide.