Kayla Young
Getting a spray tan can be stressful, especially during those hours after the appointment.
One wrong move, too tight clothing, too much exercise, or improper shower care can streak or fade your tan before you’ve had the chance to show it off.
Arugh!
And if your appointment is coming up and you’ve caught yourself wondering, “how long after a spray tan can I wear tight clothes?” we’ve got the answer for you.
You may have found yourself with a patchy tan or are a newbie looking to avoid mistakes. If you’re curious about what to wear, tips for preventing fading, and what undergarments are best to wear during your appointment, just keep reading.
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How Long After A Spray Tan Can I Wear Tight Clothes?
So, you’re wondering, “how long after a spray tan can I wear tight clothes?”
Your best bet is to wait a full 24 hours before wearing tight clothing. But 9 hours is the minimum recommended.
Tight clothes are a no-no because of how hard they are to get on and off, which results in your spray tan getting rubbed off.
You also wear these clothes all day long, and every time you move, the friction could be wiping your tan away.
Your best bet is to wait a full 24 hours before wearing tight clothing. But 9 hours is the minimum recommended.
For example, if you wear leggings, the likelihood is that your legs will be lighter than the rest of your body by the end of the day.
Avoid strappy tops and clothing with seams, as these can cause lighter or darker lines in your tan.
Avoid items that go over your head, such as a tight t-shirt. Shoving your arms into a shirt and dragging it down your body will only cause streaking or patches in your tan.
Spray tans want to be absorbed, whether by your skin or clothing! Wearing anything tight before a tan has fully absorbed onto your skin will cause it to lighten as it’s drawn into the clothes.
When attending your spray tan appointment, and for a minimum of 9 hours afterward, wear loose clothing only.
How Long After Spray Tan Can I Wear A Bra?
When getting a spray tan done, most women will either opt to wear undergarments they don’t care about or go nude.
If you choose to wear undergarments, make sure they’re ones you don’t care about or are dark in color to avoid stains.
For panties, avoid any pair that is too tight or can rub your skin as these could cause visible panty lines (VPLs).
Many salons will provide paper panties to their customers, so they don’t have to worry about VPLs… but what about bras?
You may be wondering: how long after a spray tan can I wear a bra?
Go as long as you can without wearing a bra. 24 hours is always recommended, but 4 hours is the minimum.
Most women wear a strapless bra or bandeau when getting a spray tan for fewer tan lines.
But when the session is over, you should avoid wearing a bra and remove the one you wore during your session.
Bras are tight and will easily absorb the tan, leaving patchiness and lighter streaks behind. We want to avoid those!
Go as long as you can without wearing a bra. 24 hours is always recommended, but 4 hours is the minimum.
How To Prevent Rubbing Off Or Streaking A Spray Tan
Everyone will find that they’ll rub a bit of spray tan off their skin every time and again, but what are the best ways to prevent mistakes?
1. Wear Loose Clothing
You’ll want to wear loose-fitting clothing to your appointment and after it. Try to wear loose clothing for the first 24 hours to avoid streaking.
On the bottom, you’ll find that joggers, sweatpants, loose shorts, or skirts are your best bet.
On the top, any loose-fitting tee will do.
2. Baby Powder Is Your Best Friend
Sweat is your enemy after a spray tan.
It’ll cause streaks and spots, which is why baby powder will become your best friend.
Place it anywhere you’re likely to sweat, such as your underarms, inner elbows, backs of your knees, and under your bum.
Deodorant isn’t an option after a spray tan because it contains ingredients that could interact with the tanning solution, causing unwanted patchiness.
3. Be Careful How And When You Shower
You’ll want to avoid washing the solution off your skin for at least 6 hours.
This gives your skin enough time to absorb the solution and ensure even coverage.
You can leave the solution on for up to 12 hours, but it may start streaking after that.
When you take your first shower after a spray tan, you’ll want to be extremely careful.
Don’t take too long, as the water could cause fading. You’ll also want to use lukewarm water and avoid scrubs or soaps.
Don’t wash your hair in the shower either, as your shampoo and conditioner may cause streaking. You’ll need to be very methodical or wash your hair in the sink.
Avoid shaving or exfoliating, as well (do that before!).
If you need to shave, keep it infrequent and use light pressure. Keep your strokes straight and go slow.
4. Use Self-Tanner For A Longer Spray Tan
You can use self-tanner to set your spray tan and extend its life.
While they won’t provide the same color quality, they may give you an extra few days of wear.
