Getting a spray tan in the summer gives you a perfect way to avoid any damage done by the sun, while still allowing you to show off gorgeously bronzed skin.
However, spray tanning in the summer comes with a complication – sweating. Sweating straight after your spray tan can really interfere with the way your spray tan sets and may lead to streaks and patches, which is something nobody wants straight after their tan is done.
How can you stop sweat from interfering with your spray tan? Baby powder is the answer to a streak-free spray tan, even on the hottest of days. It helps stop sweat from affecting your spray tan through absorption. Baby powder is best applied with a fluffy makeup brush.
How Baby Powder Helps
You should never apply any products to your skin while your spray tan is setting, as this could work as a barrier between the spray tan product and your skin, or cause the spray tan to develop darker in some areas.
However, baby powder is one product that is safe to apply to your skin after a spray tan and can help to drastically reduce the effect that sweat might have on your developing tan.
Once your spray tan has been done, you can use a fluffy makeup brush to apply baby powder lightly from your head to your toes. The baby powder will not change the color of the tan, causing it to streak or smear, instead, it absorbs excess sweat and oil and reduces the effect the sweat will have on your skin.
Baby powder also helps to reduce the sticky feeling left on your skin after your spray tan, making it more comfortable to put on your normal clothes, or to sit on the seats in your car.
You don’t need to wait for the summer months to use baby powder after a spray tan, it does wonders in the winter as well to help your skin feel less like there is product all over it, and allows you to continue on with your day without the feeling of having a residue all over your skin.
You should definitely keep a bottle of baby powder with you when you go spray tanning, it will absorb your sweat, reduce stickiness, and help to give you an even, flawless tan in those hot summer months!
Tips For The Perfect Spray Tan
Baby powder to reduce sweat and stickiness is by far one of the best tips around to ensure a beautiful, even glow, but there are some other handy tips to remember to make the most of your spray tan appointment!
Avoid Products With Oil
Exfoliating the day before your spray tan is really important to remove dead skin cells and other impurities and build-ups, but you should use the right body scrub to prep your skin.
Avoid using an exfoliator with oil, and choose one which is oil-free. The oil can remain on your skin and could act as a barrier to the spray tan, which will not allow it to sit evenly on your skin.
The Bondi Sands Body Scrub is my favorite oil-free exfoliator. It is designed specifically for people who enjoy spray tanning.
Shave Before
Not only does shaving act as an additional exfoliation, but it also helps the spray tan to adhere evenly to the skin, without having to fight through any hairs.
Shave between 12 and 24 hours before your spray tan, allowing your skin enough time to heal, and the pores enough time to close. If your pores are still open when you go for your spray tan, this could cause a speckled effect that looks anything but natural.
Shaving before also saves you some time before having to shave again, which could strip your skin of the spray tan.
Prevent Stains On Dry Areas
Dry patches of skin cling to spray tan more than the hydrated areas. To avoid your knees, ankles, and elbows becoming a darker color than the rest of your body, you should apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the area before your spray tan. This acts as a small barrier and stops the dry areas from absorbing too much spray tan and becoming too dark.
Keep The Bottom Of Your Feet Clean
To avoid having to scrub off excess spray tan from the bottom of your feet that you have accidentally stepped in, you can apply tape to the bottom of your feet to prevent them from coming into contact with any pigment on the floor.
Lighten Your Face
If you feel your face has too dark of a tan, you can reduce the pigmentation by using a milk mask. Add one slice of lemon to a glass of milk, to curdle the milk.
Apply the curdled milk to your skin and leave it to soak for 15 minutes. The lactic acid in milk acts as a gentle exfoliator and does well to remove streaks and dark patches.
Apply Ice First
To prevent breakouts, apply ice to your face before applying the spray tan. The ice works to close your pores, stopping the spray tan from absorbing too far into your pores, clogging them up, and causing breakouts.
Avoid The Pool
As tempting as it might be to hop over to the pool to show off your new tan, you should avoid swimming in a pool for at least 24 hours after your spray tan. The chemicals in a chlorinated pool will strip the spray tan from your skin and leave you with streaks and patches.
Use Gloves
It is so important to remember to wear gloves when applying self-tanner or spray tan at home. This stops your palms from turning orange and prevents yellow nails. Disposable gloves work just fine, and you can keep a box at home whenever you need to spray tan.
Apply One Coat
There is no need to apply a second coat of self-tanner or spray tan at home. The second coat will probably just wash off, or in the worst case, it can darken certain areas of your skin and make your tan appear very uneven. Do not waste the product, one coat is perfectly fine for golden glowing skin.
Self-Tan Before Bed
The best time to use your self-tanner is just before bed. While sleeping, your body warms, which allows the self-tanner or spray tan to soak into the skin. Just remember to lay a couple of towels down on your bed to stop the spray tan from staining your sheets.
Continue To Moisturize
Continue to moisturize your skin in the days following your spray tan. This will help keep your spray tan looking radiant and will allow it to stay in place for much longer as well. Kept hydrated, your spray tan will fade more evenly over time, rather than fading faster in some areas, which can lead to patches and streaks all over.
Related Questions
How else can I stop sweating after a spray tan?
If you are really worried about sweating after your spray tan and have already applied baby powder, there are a few more ways to reduce the amount of sweat and oils on your body. Avoid wearing tight clothing and bras. Workout clothes such as leggings and sports bras should be avoided as well.
These cling to your skin, and not only can this disrupt the spray tan, but it can cause you to sweat more than usual, which further ruins the spray tan. Try and move straight to your car and use the air conditioning to further cool down your body. Avoid being in the sun and do not do any physical activity that might cause your body to heat up, and then sweat.
How soon after a spray tan can I exercise?
You should avoid exercising at least 8 hours after your spray tan. This gives the product enough time to absorb into your skin and to settle into the right color. After 8 hours, sweating from exercising should not have too much of an effect on your spray tan, but it is always best to wait as long as possible before heading to the gym.
Can I use soap after my spray tan?
Do not use any soap during your first rinse in the shower. Many soaps have chemicals in them that can strip your spray tan, or stop it from developing further. Just use water to rinse your body during your first shower, and only use a gentle soap around 12 to 24 hours after your spray tan. Try to find a natural soap with gentle ingredients, to protect your skin and the tan from any damage.
Final Thoughts
It is always such a joy to find a product as simple as baby powder to help you achieve a flawless tan. Sweating after a spray tan is a worry for so many, especially those living in warmer climates, but it really doesn’t have to be.
By applying a layer of baby powder after your spray tan, you will be stopping the sweat from interfering with your spray tan, with the baby powder absorbing the sweat and oils. The baby powder will not affect the outcome of your spray tan, so you can look forward to a natural, golden glow!
