After your tan, the solution needs some time to develop color. The development period is the time between your spray tan and your first rinse. While your tan is developing, it’s really important to follow the During Development instructions to avoid streaking and unevenness. After your first rinse, follow the Post Tan Care Instructions below. And remember, your color will continue to develop, even after the first rinse. You’ll see the full color 24 hours after your spray!
During Development
Continue to wear, dark loose clothing. Remember, tight clothing can leave marks so be careful of things like sweats with elastic ankles, leggings, etc. Sleeping with your face and hands touching pillows can also cause issues.
Don’t get wet, sweat or touch your skin too much. This includes getting kisses from your pets, putting on lotion and/or liquid foundation.
PLEASE NOTE
During development, your tan is going to look MUCH darker than what it is actually going to be. Don’t panic and rinse too early! If you rinse too soon, your tan may be too light. Trust the process.
Development Times
The amount of time you need to let your solution develop will depend on how dark you want your tan to be and what solution I use. For most of my clients, I use a rapid solution that has the following development times. I will go over this with you before you leave your appointment.
First Rinse
Rinse at the time that coordinates with the color you’re hoping to achieve.
When you rinse, don’t use any soap. Just rinse in warm (not hot) water. Don’t use a washcloth or loofah. Use your hands to lightly guide the bronzer that is sitting on the surface of your skin, off. There will be a lot of brown solution coming off as you rinse. That is not your tan, it’s just the access bronzer that was sitting on the surface of your skin.
When you’re drying off from your first rinse, pat your skin dry. Don’t rub it, it could streak your tan.
24 Hours and Beyond
Stay Hydrated - Moisturize your skin as much as possible with a moisturizer that doesn’t contain mineral oil. Twice per day is recommended. Drink a lot of water too!
Showers - Avoid using loofahs, washcloths, etc. It’s best to use your hands on areas of the body where you want your tan to last. Be careful with harsh soaps. They can cause your tan to fade faster.
Activities - Avoid hot tubs, swimming and hot showers for long periods of time. You can certainly do these things but, prolonged exposure could cause your tan to fade faster.
Hydrate - Continue to hydrate with lotion and by drinking water. You can also use a tan extender lotion that contains DHA to extend the life of your tan.
Rebook - To keep your tan glowing year-round, I recommend spray tanning every two weeks.