What to do if your spray tan isn't dark enough?
If a dark tan is what you're looking for, we do recommend waiting a few hours before rinsing it off so that the product has longer to develop with your skin. Note: after rinsing, your skin will continue to deepen over the next 24 hours, so if your skin does not seem that dark, give it time!
If it is not coming out dark while spray tanning, first, check that you're spraying at the correct distance from the body. With our spray tan equipment's refined turbine technology, we recommend spray tanning from a 7-12 cm distance for a streak-free non-sticky tan.
Yes, if you would like to achieve a deeper, darker tan you can certainly spray an additional coat onto the skin.
Sprayed, but no tan develops:
If you sprayed and no tan appeared after waiting the correct amount of time then there was something on the skin acting as a barrier. These could be heavy soaps, PH Balancers, moisturizers, perfumes, and even exfoliant residue. The Fix: Exfoliate prior to getting your spray tan.
I have been tanning, but I'm not getting any darker. Now what? You may have reached a tanning plateau. Everyone has a limit to how dark they can get, but to try to get past your current color we recommend switching the types of beds you use every few tanning sessions.
Spray Tan FAQ
Your skin begins to darken two to three hours after application and reaches its peak color within 24 hours. The color will gradually fade through natural exfoliation, just like a tan from the sun.
Your colour will continue to develop and darken for a few hours (and a spray tan takes up to 24 hours to develop fully).
If your fake tan colour is too dark (or too light)
If you want a subtle glowing fake tan, try using a gradual tan a couple of days a week. If you prefer a deeper colour, layer it on over a few days until you get the glow you want. Gradual tanners also deliver a moisturising hit that traditional self-tans don't.
As colour will continue to develop for approximately 8 hours, the longer the tan is left on the skin prior to bathing, the darker the result will be.
“The guide colour of your fake tan will always look darker than the finished result once washed off, but if during its development your tan seems way too dark, trust your instinct and wash it off a little earlier, such as five hours in, instead of the six-to-eight hours normally advised.
How do you know if a spray tan is bad?
A strange and unnatural color: The point of a spray tan is to look like you've been kissed gently by the sun, and if your skin has taken on a dark or orange color all over, something has gone horribly wrong. Generally speaking, a good spray tan should not look like a thick layer of color.
Once you have showered, you will notice the bronzer washing away, leaving you looking tanned and glowing underneath. From this point on hydration is the key! Please note: the tan will continue to develop even after the shower, so do not be alarmed if you're not as tanned as you expect to be.
Adding some blue, green, brown, or even purple to orange will get you various shades of tan, and then adding white or black will get you lighter or darker tans. So if you need to make orange from tan: add red, and maybe some yellow if it gets too pink. Again, to make orange from scratch: red + yellow = orange.
Deodorant and perfume can create a sticky layer on the skin's surface and prevent the tan from adhering. They can also turn some fake tanners green. It's best to avoid them all together before tanning and while it develops.
Using a lotion moisturises your skin increasing tanning results by 60%. Dry skin reflects UV rays making the tanning process longer if you do not have hydrated skin. Healthy glowing skin A lotion will help increase skin hydration which will prevent a dry and dull complexion.
If you've let your color develop and you find it either streaky or too dark, taking a dip in the pool or taking a bath can help fade the color quickly. If you need your spray tan removed ASAP, St. Tropez tanning expert Sophia Evans says using a hair removing cream could do the trick.
We generally recommend sticking to the one self tanning product per application. If you do not find the colour to be as dark as you would expect, you can always apply a second coat 30-60 minutes after initial application or the following day if the developed colour is not to your desired colour depth.
One session, customizable to your skin tone, can take you from three to five shades darker and last up to seven days, with help from our color-extending moisturizers.
Either apply your self tan in the morning for daytime development, or apply before you go to bed to wake up looking bronzed and beautiful.
Make sure to get your tan at least 1-2 days before your trip. Spray tans always look best at least a day after the initial appointment. Maintain your tan with self-tanners to not only make it last longer but help it fade more evenly.
What makes fake tan develop faster?
This is the important part when it comes to how to tan faster: depending on whether you're after a light, medium, or dark toned bronze, leave your self tan on for 1, 2, or 3 hours before rinsing in the shower. Your golden glow will continue to develop over the next 8 hours, leaving skin looking sensationally sunkissed.
The skin has been damaged, and the texture and absorbancy in that area has changed, so the skin may not absorb or react to the sunless tanner in the same manner as the surrounding skin does. This can appear as white spots, that do not tan, or tan lighter.
Step 1: If you have noticed white spots on your skin 24-48 hours after your spray tan these are simply spots where the tan did not adhere to your skin. Your first step will be to take a shower and gently rinse, then pat dry using a towel. Step 2: Rub an exfoliating cleanser into the white spot.
Applying a moisturiser may interfere with the flawless result you so perfectly applied. We want your tan to be 20/10 and unfortunately if moisturiser is applied it can leave blotches, marks and strip the tan in certain spots on the skin.
Shower and exfoliate your skin well the day of your tan. Do not use any lotions before your spray tan. For the most natural-looking results, arrive makeup free. Wear loose, dark clothing to and from the tanning appointment.
