If you are looking for a way to get rid of your tan faster, we’ve got the perfect solution.
With summer right around the corner and winter coming to an end, many people want to avoid the sun as much as possible.
But what if you already have a nice glow and don’t want it to fade?
We recommend leaving your fake tan on overnight! This will give those pesky dead cells time to soak up that color and make it last longer.
You can also try doing this before bed or after showering – whichever is easier for you.
Just be sure not to scrub too hard in order for your skin’s natural oils (and therefore color) stay intact!
So, can you leave a fake tan on overnight?
It is perfectly safe to leave self-tanner on overnight as long as you make sure the product does not contain any guide color.
Putting your fake tan in contact with sheets for an extended period can lead to stains and messes, so be careful!
What is a Fake Tan?
A fake tan is a cosmetic product that improves the appearance of an individual by producing an effect similar to that of natural sunlight on tanned skin.
For the most part, fake tanners are divided into two distinct categories: those producing a “natural” or subtle change, and those that produce an intense change.
There are many products in both categories, but all result in a browning effect on the skin.
A guide color is a type of pigment that gives you a visual cue as to where you have applied the tanner.
It makes it easier to see where the product has been applied and ensures an even appearance.
However, some products containing guide colors can cause stains or discoloration on fabrics or bed sheets, so be careful when applying your tan!
How To Apply Fake Tan Overnight
Here are the steps to apply fake tan:
1. Before applying your fake tan, make sure you exfoliate! This will help remove dead skin cells and get rid of dry patches.
If you have the time, try to exfoliate at least once or twice a week. This will make your skin more receptive to the color and prevent flaking during the tanning process.
2. Once you have exfoliated, apply a thin layer of the fake tan across your body. Be sure to rub it in evenly and completely!
3. After applying the product, wait for at least ten minutes before dressing to ensure that you do not stain your clothes or fabrics with guide color.
4. And voilà! You can now go to sleep, knowing you will wake up with a beautiful tan!
Since it is common for fake tanners to contain oils (and therefore stain clothing and bedsheets), we recommend wearing dark, loose-fitting clothing while applying your fake tan.
Also be sure to wear old shoes that you won’t mind staining since the color can seep through socks and into shoes!
Effects of Leaving a Fake Tan Overnight
Leaving your fake tan on overnight will allow the tan to go deeper into your skin, resulting in a longer-lasting color.
If you leave it on while sleeping for eight hours or more, you should wake up with a beautiful, natural-looking tan!
If you’ve applied too much product or applied it unevenly, leaving it on overnight can help even it out.
You may also notice that your skin is less irritated after an overnight application, meaning you have a lower risk of breakouts.
Here are some pro tips to ensure the best fake tan application:
- Make sure your skin is clean and dry before applying your tanner so there is less chance for streaking.
- Use a mitt to apply your fake tanner.
- This will reduce the chances of staining your palms and fingers.
- Apply a thin layer of lotion or moisturizer to any areas you plan to apply color, such as knees, toes and knuckles.
- This will prevent your tan from sticking to these areas and streaking.
- For streak-free results, try exfoliating your body before applying your tan.
- This will remove any dead skin cells that can cause uneven color.
And there you have it!
As long as the fake tan product does not contain a guide color and you’re careful to not apply too much and be aware of where it’s going, you should have a beautiful, sun-kissed tan in no time!
How To Remove Fake Tan Overnight
If you are looking to remove your fake tan, simply hop in the shower and let warm water wash away the color.
You can also try rubbing your skin with a dry towel or exfoliating again. If there is still some color left on your skin, try using a loofah or body scrub to rub it off.
If you’ve slept in your fake tan and need to remove it quickly, simply hop into the shower and let warm water run over your skin for a few minutes until the color is removed.
If that doesn’t work, you can also try rubbing gently with a washcloth, dry towel or even a loofah.
If the color hasn’t budged and you still need to remove it immediately, try scrubbing your skin gently with an exfoliator.
If you feel like the color will not fully come off, simply wait until your next shower and scrub once more!
Fake Tanners
There are common types of fake tanners available today: mousse, airbrush, spray tan, gels.
Most mousses work by staining the skin with dye molecules while some sprays contain non-guide dyes that stain the skin.
Airbrush tanners may be any of the first three types, or may even dispense a guide-less tanning spray.
Airbrush tanners are intended to give the user an even application without streaking.
Mousses – Some contain dye molecules which can be felt on the skin.
These are the most common types of tanning products, and come in many different colors to suit all complexions.
Sprays – Some non-guide dyes create dark spots where they are sprayed, providing an even application without streaking, but may still require a mitt for best results.
Airbrush tanners – Contains no guide dyes and doesn’t stain the hands like mousses and sprays, but still requires a mitt to avoid streaking.
Some contain dye molecules; some do not. These are generally very sheer when applied, but can be streaky if not properly applied.
Gels – The least common type of tanner available at drug stores, these products may or may not contain dye molecules that stain the skin.
Since they are transparent and wash off easily, they’re best for those who want to achieve an even application without any guide color.
Typically these leave an even application without streaking or splotching.
How to Prevent Tan Streaks and Smudges
To prevent streaking and smudging, make sure you exfoliate before applying your tan. This will remove dead skin cells that can cause uneven color application and streaking.
If you’ve applied too much or if it looks splotchy, try to lightly wipe any areas with the excess tan with a damp cloth to even it out.
If this doesn’t work, you can try exfoliating the area again before starting over.
Always apply your fake tanner in light, circular motions with a mitt or an applicator provided by the manufacturer to ensure streak-free results.
For extra protection against streaking and smudging, you can apply a very thin layer of lotion or moisturizer before adding the tanning product, which should prevent streaking if any enters those areas.
Try to avoid any lotions/moisturizers with a noticeable scent, however, because they may interfere with the tanning product’s ability to develop.
If the scent does not disappear after a few minutes, you may want to re-apply your tanner without using it.
After you’ve applied your fake tan, make sure you don’t touch any areas until it’s dry to avoid smudging. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
It is best not to wear tight clothing or linens – such as skinny jeans or satin sheets – since they may rub off the product and cause streaking.
If you still notice streaks after your first use, it’s best to avoid shaving those areas for at least 24 hours so that the skin can recover and produce a new layer of cells which will absorb the color evenly.
This should prevent more streaking for the next time you apply your tanner.
Leaving a fake tan overnight is a great way to maintain a rich, consistent color, but it is important to be mindful of where you sleep before the tan has set.
It is best if you wear loose-fitting clothing or cover your bed with towels to avoid staining your linens or mattress.
In order to keep the fake tan looking vibrant between applications, make sure you moisturize every day and exfoliate once a week.
This will ensure that your fake tan looks just as perfect on day 42 as it did on day one.
It’s important to note that fake tans tend to fade more quickly than real tans, so you’ll probably need to apply it more often to keep your color consistent.
With proper moisturization, exfoliation and regular applications, your fake tan should last through most of your vacation.
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