A question that keeps most tanners busy thinking is “How long should you wait to shower after tanning?”, some even wonder if they should shower after a tan at all!
To tell you the truth, showers after tanning sessions can be a pretty confusing topic. However, it’s also quite crucial that you get it right since the routine you follow after tanning can make a huge difference in the final result you’ll be living with.
So how long should you wait after tanning? Well, this isn’t a “one answer fits all” kind of question, but it rather depends on a number of factors including the type of tanning session you plan on having.
In this article, we’ll discuss each type and the amount of time you need to wait until taking a shower. We’ll also be clearing up a couple of tanning/showering misconceptions, so let’s not waste any time and dive in!
Should You Shower After Tanning?
Before we jump into the different shower timings, let’s back up to answer the question of whether or not you should shower after tanning, to begin with.
Fortunately, this one is obvious. You should definitely shower after tanning to get rid of sweat and chemicals that could clog your skin pores causing all sorts of irritations.
During tanning, your body is exposed to a significant level of stress and you’ll sweat a lot. Inside a tanning bed, for example, your skin will already be all reddened and blotched from using tanning lotion before you start sweating.
When you do begin to sweat, the moisture will accumulate in your pores, eventually clogging them. Clogged pores are a massive red flag when it comes to skin health, resulting in the appearance of acne and other skin disorders.
It doesn’t stop there, sunless tanning also requires that you use many types of sprays and lotions that contain a bunch of chemicals, including toners, bronzers, and artificial pigments. These compounds work together to give you a tan, but they can also have harmful effects if you leave them on your skin for too long.
Showering after a tanning session removes excess sweat and chemicals from your pores, leaving your skin fresh and protected against further problems.
How Long Should You Wait to Shower After Tanning?
The first shower you take after tanning can make or break the entire process. From washing off the bronzer to ending up with a streaky tan, a lot of things could go wrong with your tan if you shower too soon.
The period you should before hopping in the shower depends on several factors such as the tanning technique, the products you’re using, as well as the nature of your skin. The following is a breakdown of the 3 main types of tanning and the appropriate shower timing afterward.
Tanning Bed
When it comes to tanning beds, a popular myth is that showering after a session will wash off your tan. This is false information because the mechanism of UV tanning simply doesn’t allow it.
You see, when you enter a tanning bed, UV rays will penetrate your skin and stimulate the skin cells to produce melanin as a means of protection from exposure to UV light.
Melanin is the natural brown pigment made by our bodies to give us tanned skin. This means that water can’t possibly wash off such color. So, your tan won’t fade away if you take a shower after using a tanning bed. In fact, it could take up to 48 hours for you to see a visible difference in your complexion.
But when should you do it? According to what we said, you can shower right after you exit the tanning bed if you’re not using any bronzers or accelerators. However, it’s best if you wait until your skin naturally cools down to make sure you get the full effect of the session, so around 20 to 30 minutes.
On the other hand, if you use a tanning product before or during the UV session, it’s a different case.
Tanning lotions contain compounds that boost melanin production for better results. If you shower immediately after the tanning session, you’ll wash off the lotion before it has the chance to manifest any effects. So, you should wait at least 2 to 3 hours before showering to let the product kick in.
Spray Tanning
So what’s the deal with spray tanning? Well, the myth here is that showering after a spray tanning session causes the tan to fade away. This statement is actually true as spray tanning works differently from a tanning bed.
Unlike UV rays that work on a cellular level, spray tanning uses liquid bronzers to “stain” your skin. Bronzers don’t cause your body to produce melanin, instead, they provide your skin with a sun-kissed glow for a tan look.
Most tanning lotions contain bronzers which are primarily made up of DHA (dihydroxyacetone). DHA sets on your skin surface and oxidizes upon exposure to air. This oxidation is the reason behind the temporary dark color that your skin gains.
Consequently, showering right after applying spray tanning lotion will wash away the bronzer from your skin and basically defy the whole purpose of the session!
Moreover, if you shower quickly after spray tanning, you’re almost guaranteed to end up with a deformed tan with streaks all over your body. This is because water will wash off unabsorbed tan, while the absorbed tan stays intact and darkens like it’s supposed to.
Sunbathing
As for old school tanning, also known as sunbathing, showering afterward also depends on whether or not you’re using some type of bronzer, accelerator, or tanning lotion.
If you’re not applying any products, then you should wait a short 20 minute period before showering or jumping in the water. But if you’re using a tanning lotion, then you should wait at least 2 to 3 hours before hopping in the shower to avoid uneven results.
Wrap Up
As you can tell by now, the answer to how long you should wait to shower after tanning really depends on the tanning method and the use of tanning boosters. That being said, remember to keep your showers cold since hot water can further irritate your already sensitive skin.