How Long Does A Tan Last And What You Need To Know?

How long does a tan last? Although this familiar question has been asked by tanning lovers again and again, we believe that you cannot get a clear answer.

For instance, if making mention of preferences, some want to keep their tan last longer while the others want to fade it as soon as possible. When it comes to skin cells, every person is different, of course.

To understand clearly, you need to follow us and find the answer to the question “how long does a tan last” now. Besides, don’t miss consulting a few of tips to help you keep or fade the tan as you want.

What is tanning?

Before going into details of the question “how long does a tan last” do you know anything about tanning? Why and how does it happen?

When reading fashion magazines or entertainment media, we often see models with a golden tan. And this creates a belief that a tan indicates health, beauty, and even luxury. But, there is some information to think about when mentioning sun exposure and your skin.

How does tanning happen?

First of all, you need to study two kinds of ultraviolet radiation that can reach your skin while sunbathing, including UVA and UVB.

The radiation of UVA makes you tan because these rays go through the lower layers of your skin, particularly the epidermis. Right here, they will provoke cells called melanocytes to generate melanin, which is the brown coloring substance to create tanning. It is also the body’s way of safeguarding skin from burning.

Meanwhile, the radiation of UVB will burn the upper layers of the epidermis, causing sunburns.

Normally, darker-skinned people tan more easily and deeply than lighter-skinned ones since their melanocytes generate more melanin. However, whether they don’t get burns doesn’t mean they will be protected against skin cancer or other issues related to skin [1].

How to perform a smart tan?

As outlined above, the UVA radiation might make you tan. But, note that it also creates some dangerous damage because these rays penetrate into the skin more than the UVB. Additionally, you should study that tanning is different from overexposure.

So, how to do?

Appropriate tanning relates to the time, products and complexion of each person. Avoid only exposing yourself under the sun since this might bring dangerous effects as well as damaged sunburns. To prevent this, the best thing is to enjoy sunbathing sensibly.

If you belong to the darker skin type, you should perform a 20-minute process. That means you sunbathe about 20 minutes and then take a shower. Later, sunbathe again. In case your skin is pale or light, a 15-minute procedure is ideal. Sunbathe for 15 minutes and then take a bath to cool your skin.

In case you still wonder CAN YOU SHOWER AFTER YOU TAN?, read here to get an exact reply.

Additionally, you can use HOMEMADE SELF TANNER THAT DOESN’T WASH OFF or consult TAN PHYSICS REVIEWS to not only protect your skin but also get the glow of a tan.

Well, how long does a tan last? Keep following us now.

How long does a tan last?

Now, back to the today’s question “how long does a tan last!” While some lose their tan within two weeks, the others spend one month or more.

When the upmost of the skin cells is shed via the natural skin renewal process, you begin to lose your tan. Normally, our skin experiences a complete renewal cycle in around 28 days.

In this period, some of the epidermis (the exterior layer of the skin) will shed off once a week when the cells move up from the bottom to the top. Later, they will be replaced by new cells. If you lose the pigment-carrying cells during the renewal process, you begin to lose your tan little by little.

How to keep your tan last longer?

How long does a tan last? The process of losing a tan will take place between 28 and 30 days. But, if you want to keep it for a longer time, there are simple tricks to follow.

Take a shower

To get a proper tan, it’s best to take a cool shower before tanning in order to make your skin hydrated. This way allows the heat of the sun creates the tan without leaving any harmful effects on your skin. Besides, don’t forget to drink water whenever exposing yourself to the sun.

Of course, you should take a bath after every sunbath to cool your skin as well as preventing catching redness, spotting, overcooking or stinginess.

Exfoliate

The next step is to exfoliate dead skin cells before going tanning about 3 to 5 days. Remember not to sunbathe after exfoliating, or your skin layers will be scrapped.

Look below to know how to perform!

Let’s apply body wash during your bath or shower and then avail an exfoliating brush or cloth to scrub your body gently. Make sure you concentrate on your elbows, ankles, wrists, knees, heels, and feet. After that, rinse off and use a soft towel to dry yourself.

Relying on that, you can get rid of dead skin cells effectively.

Apply moisturizer

Note that the moisturizer needs to include a sodium PCA ingredient to give efficient results of your tan. It’s because this substance might attract the moisture from the air and make the layers of your skin healthy. The best thing is to use it after sunbathing and bathing to get a bright golden-brown color [2].

Use sunblock and lip balm

No matter which skin type you have, you should apply high SPF sunblock all the times. Relying on that, your skin will be protected from serious damage from the sun’s heat and radiation.

The SPF from 5 to 15 is okay for the darker skin types while the lighter skin ones should use about 15 to 100 SPF.

In addition, don’t forget to take care of your lips because they are sensitive to the sun’s heat. Apply a lip balm to keep your lips hydrated without getting dry or chapped.

Look for an ideal spot on your skin

How long does a tan last? After knowing the answer and searching for ways to keep it last for longer, please remember that finding a perfect spot when exposing the skin will give you a desired tan color.

It’s important to examine the place on your body whether it’s dry or humid. It’s best to search for the humid place because humidity draws moisture from air easily. Later, apply your favorite tanning lotion evenly on your skin to get an ideal tan shade of skin color.

Want to know HOW DO TANNING LOTIONS WORK? Read here now!

How to fade your tan quickly?

Of course, not all people want to keep their tan last for more than one month. If you know the answer to the question “how long does a tan last,” yet need remove it soon, we will show some useful ways that you can perform easily.

Use common ingredients to lighten your tan

Aloe juice and lemon juice

Lemon juice has lightening properties but can dry your skin. That’s why you need to mix it with aloe juice to add moisturizing properties. Blend two equal parts and rub into your skin. After 20 to 30 minutes, rinse with clean water.

Dairy products

Included lactic acid, the dairy products not only help to fight pigmentation issues but also trigger collagen to boost the skin’s firmness and purify the lines and wrinkles’ appearance.

The easiest way is to dap your tanned areas with dairy products and let them sit for 20 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water. Or you can look for skincare products that contain lactic acid.

Tomato juice and buttermilk

The combination of buttermilk (containing lactic acid) and tomato juice (natural bleaching agent) will help to lighten your tan. Blend one part of tomato juice and two parts of buttermilk and then use a cotton ball to apply on your skin. Let it sit 30 minutes before rinsing off.

Baby oil

If you carry out a spray tan, using baby oil to fade it will be effective. It’s because the baby oil helps to shed off the upmost layer of color. After applying it about 30 to 40 minutes, you just have a bath and exfoliate.

Want to know more about spray tans like DO SPRAY TANS CAUSE CANCER? Find the untold truth here.

Exfoliate your tan

Use the right product to exfoliate

This way will increase the process of shedding your skin cells, but you need to use the proper exfoliants. Make sure that these products include alpha hydroxy acids or retinoids since they can get rid of the color and help in skin-cell turnover rates.

Avail a loofah

A loofah is a natural sponge which is made from the dried fibrous interior of the loofah fruit. It helps to remove your tan more efficient than a pouf, though this synthetic scrubber is preferred.

Steps to exfoliate

• You need to wet your affected skin.
• Apply your exfoliants to the loofah and start massaging the skin.
• Gently rub your skin in circular motions.
• Wash it off with cool water and repeat every day to get rid of your tan soon.

Other tips to use

• Apply sunscreen when walking under the sun to prevent gaining additional color.
• Always cover your body, even on cloudy days.
• Use an umbrella to block out the sun.
• If you need to stay indoors to avoid the sun, remember to add beef liver, cheese, fatty fish, mushrooms, and eggs to get some vitamin D [3].

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LOSE A TAN? or how long does a tan last after applying one of these methods? Read here to know now.  

Do you know anything about indoor tanning?

No matter where you get your tan outdoors or indoors, the skin always produces a tan in the same way via absorbing ultraviolet light. How long can you get a tan? How long does a tan last when tanning indoors? Is it similar to tanning outdoors?

This method depends mainly on your skin type, health, and the frequency of performances.

To get a good base tan, you need to take from 3 to 7 sessions. Simultaneously, you have to follow the recommended regimen. Besides, carrying out regular visits to maintain the tan is necessary.

As a plus, you should apply the quality tanning lotion to permit your tan to grow quicker with the better color and last longer [4].

How long does a tan last if you stop tanning indoors?

The skin will fade back to its original color in about 28-30 days. But, in some cases, it takes quicker since the upper layer of the skin will shed off and replace by untanned cells from the lower layer.  

Although you can perform the right skin care with moisturizers and tanning lotion to lengthen your tan, it can only be maintained via repeated exposure to the UV light.

Is indoor tanning safe?

If you often get burn when tanning outdoors, we suggest that you should use indoor tanning since the result is the same. By tanning indoors, you will be in a controlled environment where you can catch a consistent amount of the UV. Moreover, the exposure times are determined by modern techniques and trained professionals.

Instead of using the word SAFE, we prefer to use the word SMART. When it comes to SAFE, that means you have no fear of harmful effects. But, note that careless use of ultraviolet equipment might bring some damages to any individual.

Actually, it’s best to combine both outdoor and indoor tanning in order to acquire proper and adequate sun exposure without burning.

Final thoughts

How long does a tan last? Although it still depends on different factors, the common answer is between 28 and 30 days.

Also, you can learn some helpful tips or perform both methods including indoor tanning and outdoor tanning to maintain your tan longer. Or if you don’t want to keep your tan, just read again, and then you can fade it soon.

Another interesting thing is that you are able to consult more information about tanning such as HOW TO APPLY TAN PHYSICS or HOW LONG TO APPLY SELF TANNER WITHOUT STREAKS from our site.

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Once again, thanks for reading and sharing!