Are fake tans worth it? (2024)

Are fake tans worth it?

The biggest benefit of a spray tan is that it can give you that golden glow without any exposure to skin-damaging, cancer-causing UV or UVA radiation. Getting a spray tan is quick and easy. You can often achieve the exact glow you had in mind, thanks to custom formulations designed for your unique skin tone.

So to sum it up, DHA (the active ingredient in self tanners) can trigger free radicals and accelerate sun damage. Erythrulose (the other active ingredient in self tanners) has also been shown to increase production of free radicals similar to the effect seen with DHA, as reported in this study.

How Long Does It Last? Because your skin is constantly creating new skin cells on the epidermis level, any skin treatment will fade over time. Spray tans generally last for 7-10 days, depending on the coverage you requested; if you wanted a lighter color, your tan could fade more quickly.

There is no indication that fake tan is bad for your skin if applied correctly. Many people are curious about the ingredient that serves up that golden glow. DHA is the active ingredient that reacts with the top layer of dead skin cells and alters the pigment.

Your Tan Will Look Natural

In fact, many people have used at-home tanning products that have given them streaky, orange tans that don't look natural or attractive. Fortunately, you don't need to worry about any of these issues when you receive an airbrush tan.

So long as you're using it correctly and at the right concentration, it's considered low risk. While some concerns have been raised in the past over toxicity from highly concentrated DHA, the use of DHA in self-tan has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In other words, when you regularly use self-tanner, the oxidation happening on the surface of your skin increases by nearly double. That might mean more blackheads on acneic skin, and more oxidative stress to cause visible signs of aging.

If your tan is the exact shade you love and you want to keep the gorgeous glow, you typically only have to apply self-tanner about once a week. This applies to tanning solution you put on your body, which tends to be exposed to fewer products and washing than your face.

It is important to wait for 8-12 hours after getting a spray tan before showering with soap. This time allows the spray tan solution to properly develop and adhere to your skin. If you shower with soap too soon, there is a risk of washing off the solution, resulting in an uneven tan.

Self-tanning mousses provide a much simpler and higher quality tanning experience than spray tans do. Let's break down why. Spray tanning is more time-consuming and expensive (lose-lose). It requires appointments with spray tan artists, which can get pricey since they're usually done by a professional.

Can you sit in the sun with self-tanner?

The answer is yes, you can tan in the sun despite self-tanner. Self-tanners only affect the top layer of the skin, while tanning from sun exposure occurs in the deeper layers of the skin. The active ingredient in self-tanners, DHA (dihydroxyacetone), reacts with the top layer of the skin and turns it brown.

"DHA has been shown to cause an increase in free radicals in the skin," says Chere Lucas Anthony, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Fla. "This can contribute to skin aging as the free radicals break down collagen and elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkling and skin aging."

Thanks to regular washing and skincare ingredients like retinol and hydroxy acids, fake tan on our faces naturally fades faster than on our bodies. Adding a few tanning drops to your face moisturiser each evening will make sure your face isn't ghostly while you're still rocking a bronzed bod.

After testing several formulas, we found that the Isle of Paradise Express 30-Minute Mousse is the best for beginners. Since this self-tanner features a mousse texture, it's super easy to apply and to blend during the application process with the handy reusable mitt (sold separately) for an even, salon-worthy glow-up.

Tropez. Our go to brand, and the beauty industries longest favourite has got to be St. Tropez. As we've mentioned previously, their In-Shower Tanning Lotion does exactly what it says on the bottle and the results are au so natural.

Yes it will! Spray tans are perfect for making the body appear leaner, longer and fitter!

Hair loss transpires when follicles are damaged, changed or disrupted by genetics, hormones, immunity or physical impact. Because hair follicles are located beneath the scalp and skin, sun exposure – natural or synthetic – does not directly contribute to hair loss.

A self-tanning cream can darken both kinds. So if you've got hypopigmentation, a self-tanner can help blend the spot into your complexion. But if you've got hyperpigmentation, a self-tanner can make your spots look more pronounced.

While self-tanner can be a safer alternative than the sun, it won't protect you from the sun's rays and you should take extra care when using spray formulas.

How long should I keep self-tanner on to fully develop?

Once applied you can wash the tan off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper long lasting tan leave on your skin for up 8 hours. It really is personal choice. You might have to test it out a few times, to work out what suits you the best! For best results, we recommend letting your tan develop 6-8 hours.

Tanning — indoors or with the sun — makes your skin age more quickly. Wrinkles, age spots, and loss of skin firmness tend to appear years earlier in people who tan. Anyone who tans can also develop leathery skin, which people who never tan don't get.

Apply for more than 4 days in a row and you could risk your tan becoming darker than you'd like, says Michaella. She recommends taking things slowly until you get to know your product. "Try it for two consecutive days and check the colour. If you're happy on day two, don't go in again on day three.

Another way to make your tan darker is to apply two layers of self-tan or to top your tan up the day after the initial application.