HOW TO MAINTAIN A TAN

If you've achieved a stunning tan, either from a vacation or the sunny summer months, you'll want to keep it looking fabulous. Tans can fade or turn into sunburns if not cared for properly. Follow these steps to preserve your tan:

  1. Daily Skin Care:

  • Regular Moisturizing: Keep your tan smooth and natural by moisturizing your skin daily. Apply moisturizer after each shower or whenever your skin feels dry. Opt for moisturizers designed for spray tans, avoiding bar soaps, exfoliants, and products not suitable for tan maintenance. Additionally, consider using after-sun creams like aloe vera to maintain hydration.

  • Choose Shaving Over Waxing: Avoid waxing as it can strip the top layer of your skin and your tan. Opt for shaving instead, followed by moisturization. Be sure to use a moisturizing shaving cream for a smoother experience.

  • Shower Smartly: Hot water can strip your skin's natural oils and cause your tan to fade faster. Opt for cooler water when showering to extend your tan's lifespan. Also, use moisturizing body wash to prevent stripping your skin of essential oils.

  • Sunscreen Protection: Excessive sun exposure can dry out your skin, resulting in a cracked or burnt appearance of your tan. Always apply sunscreen to exposed areas when going out in the sun. Choose a high SPF sunscreen, reapplying every two hours, especially after water exposure. Consider wearing protective clothing like longer sleeves, hats, and visors to reduce sun exposure. After sun exposure, apply creams that help your skin repair and maintain your tan's radiant appearance.

  • Stay Hydrated: Drinking extra water can help your tan last longer. Ensure you stay well-hydrated by drinking water with every meal, using water fountains whenever available, and carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day.

2. Using Products to Maintain a tan

-Lotion

  • Choose Wisely: Select a post-spray tan lotion that's all-natural, organic, and free from ingredients that strip your tan's color. Avoid products containing mineral oil, alcohol, perfume, dyes, anti-aging compounds (such as Retin-A, Glycolic, AHA’s), anti-acne ingredients (like salicylic acid), makeup removers, essential oils, and harsh substances. Instead, opt for moisturizers enriched with skin-nourishing, simple ingredients.

  • Beware of Heavily Scented Lotions: Avoid lotions with strong scents like those from Bath and Body Works or Victoria’s Secret, as they are not spray tan-friendly. Additionally, steer clear of "in-shower" lotions and body oils, as they can cause your spray tan to crack and fade unevenly.

  • Look for Skin-Friendly Ingredients: Seek products or ingredients like shea butter, fragrance-free formulas, oil-free options, aloe vera, and coconut oil. For best results, consider using South Seas Skincare Moorea Moisturizer to maintain your spray tan.

-Body Wash

  • Preparation is Key: Before your spray tan appointment, it's crucial to wash away all beauty product residues from your skin. These residues, such as lotion, perfume, deodorant, body spray, can create a barrier between your skin and the spray tan solution. Opt for a body wash that ensures clean, dry skin without an extra moisturizing formula that could coat your skin and hinder even tan absorption.

  • Avoid Harsh Ingredients: Many shower products contain oils, waxes, and moisturizers that can disrupt even tan absorption, resulting in a blotchy, streaky, or uneven color. Stay away from bath products with harsh detergents, salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy, exfoliating beads, fragrances, and dyes. Choose a gentle, mild, natural, and simple body wash to maintain your tan's longevity.

  • Recommendation: We suggest using Bikini Island Body Wash from South Seas Skin Care, a product that not only you'll love but also helps extend your spray tan.

-Tan Extender

  • Understanding Tan Extenders: Tan extender lotions differ from regular lotions because they contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which combines with your original spray tan DHA to extend its life. These extenders are popular in the sunless tanning industry due to their ability to provide a long-lasting, natural-looking tan.

  • Seek Beneficial Ingredients: When choosing a tan extender, prioritize those containing skin-hydrating properties for the best results. We recommend using the Tan Extender Daily Moisturizer to maintain your tan.For best results we recommend to use Tan Extender Daily Moisturizer.

-Sunscreen

  • Hydration is Key: For long-lasting results, all products you use, including sunscreen, should offer ample moisture. Hydrated skin retains its tan longer, so opt for sunscreens loaded with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin, aloe, hyaluronic acid, and plant-derived oils.

  • Choosing the Right Sunscreen: After your spray tan, select an oil-free sunscreen lotion. Avoid aerosol or spray-on sunblock, as they can apply unevenly and contain alcohol that can dry out your tan, leading to uneven fading. Additionally, always check the expiration date on your products for effectiveness.

3. Other Tips

-Use Face Self-Tanner:

  • Prioritize Your Face: Your face often grabs the most attention. An uneven or fading facial tan is immediately noticeable. To combat this, use a self-tanner designed specifically for the face. Regular application will ensure your facial tan remains vibrant. Opt for gradual tanners for a more natural look.

-Apply Bronzer:

  • Enhance Your Glow: Bronzer can be your secret weapon to glowing skin. Apply bronzer strategically to areas where the sun naturally hits your face – the forehead, temples, nose, and cheekbones. This enhances your natural tan, preventing it from looking artificial. Remember, a little goes a long way; aim for a subtle, natural glow rather than overdoing it.

-Patch Up with Spray-On Tan:

  • Combat Fading: Unless you have constant sun exposure, your tan will eventually fade. When this happens, patch it up using a spray-on tan. If your tan starts to appear uneven, lighter, or darker in certain areas, apply a bit of fake tan to even things out.