For those who like to maintain a bronzed look without the dangers of the sun’s 
ultraviolet rays, and the risks associated with a traditional tanning bed, spray tans, and DIY tanning lotions are the safest alternatives.
Are fake tans safe during pregnancy?
The aim is to avoid looking like a carrot and making a complete mess of yourself. There is nothing worse than trying to give yourself a bronzed pregnancy glow only to have it turn out wrong. Knowing the tricks of the trade to maintaining your new bronzed-look will keep you glowing for longer.
Let’s uncover 12 simple ways to make a fake tan last longer.
How Long Does a Fake Tan Generally Last?
A fake tan generally lasts anywhere from 4-10 days depending on how well you prepare your skin and then how well you maintain it.
How To Make Fake Tan Last Longer
- Avoid Water: Not the drinking kind, the showering kind. Once your new fake tan is applied, you need to avoid contact with water for at least 6-8 hours. Overnight is best. This allows for the tan to properly develops and if you are breastfeeding this gives you as much time away from your baby to ensure there is no skin to skin contact concerns.
- First Shower: Your first shower that you take should really be more than a ‘rinse’ and try not to shower more than once a day.
- Avoid Soaps and Loofahs: Try to avoid using regular soaps and particularly harsh scrubbing loofahs. Try to get your hands on DHA-friendly products that will not harm your tan.
- Pat Dry: Remember to pat your skin dry; do not rub it.
- Moisturize: Moisturize regularly to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
- Avoid Exercise: For at least the first 24 hours, stay away from exerting yourself in a way that will cause you to sweat.
- Shaving and Exfoliating: Keep any required shaving to a minimum and if you feel you need to exfoliate, only do so very lightly to help remove dead skin cells.
- Avoid Swimming & Spas: Chemicals and chlorine in swimming pools and spas can cause your tan to fade prematurely so for at least 24 hours avoid.
Fake Tan Skin Preparation Tricks
- Moisturize: Moisturize your whole body for a few days leading up to your tanning session.
- Shave: Shave your legs and any other areas of your body on the day before otherwise you may end up with a spotty look as your skin pores will be open if you do it on the day.
- Exfoliate: Exfoliate/Scrub your body and work on any dry patches like your elbows, ankles and knees.
- What to avoid: Avoid perfume, deodorant and make-up on the day you have your tan.
Will fake tan protect me from getting a sunburn?
No, definitely not. If you go out into the sun you must always wear protection. The good part about having a fake tan however is that you may not be tempted to sun bake.
Did You Know?
Your fake tan will possibly look slightly different every time. Why? Simply because your skin is a living organ that can effected by many elements such as what you eating, how it is maintained and even the weather at the time.
Fake Tanning Hints And Tips
- You can always grab some touch up product or tinted moisturizer
- Avoid white clothes for at least the first 24 hours
- Drink lots of water to keep yourself and your skin hydrated
- If you are applying fake tan yourself, use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process
- Never apply to your palms or fingers
- Keep some cotton tips on hand to quickly wipe up any ‘mistakes’
