Is it washable bronzer or developed self tan?
| Type of colour | How it behaves | What to expect from washing |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary bronzer, including tinted moisturizers and powders | Creates a temporary effect similar to makeup. | Washes off over time. |
| Self tan containing dihydroxyacetone, usually called DHA | Reacts with substances in the skin's surface to create colour. | Resists soap, water and sweat more than bronzer. |
Washable bronzer behaves like makeup, even when the packaging would prefer a more glamorous job title. Some tanning products combine DHA with other ingredients that add colour, so losing some colour during washing does not necessarily mean the developed tan has gone.3
How long will the colour take to fade?
DHA colour generally lasts three to ten days. Some self tanning gels, creams, lotions and sprays normally last three to five days, while spray tans commonly last about five to ten days. Treat these as fading windows, not a deadline for every patch to disappear.124
The colour leaves with the surface cells as your skin naturally sheds them. Ordinary washing is therefore not the same as reversing a developed tan. If the unwanted colour is already established, allowing it to fade is an option that does not require another cosmetic product.12
What if your skin is irritated as well as patchy?
Self tanning products can cause dryness, irritation and contact dermatitis, an inflammatory skin reaction. Additives in tanning formulas can also aggravate eczema, rosacea or an existing history of contact dermatitis. Unwanted colour and irritated skin are separate problems; removing the colour is not a treatment for the irritation.2
Read the ingredient list on any cosmetic you plan to use and avoid ingredients you already know you are sensitive to. Retail cosmetics must list their ingredients in the US, but products used exclusively by professionals, including some spray tanning products, do not have the same requirement.3
How to avoid needing another correction
Methodical application helps keep the colour even, which is less exciting than an emergency correction but a better use of the bathroom.2
- 1Exfoliate before applying self tanner, especially where the skin is thick.
- 2Dry your skin thoroughly before application.
- 3Apply in circular motions, working through one body region at a time.
- 4Wash your hands frequently during application to limit colour on your palms.
- 5Dilute the tanner over joints to avoid excessive colour in those areas.
- 6Allow the product to dry thoroughly.
Keep using sunscreen and sun protective clothing while the tan fades. DHA colour is not a substitute for sun protection, regardless of how dark it looks.2
Where this answer comes from
- 1Are Spray Tans Safe?health.clevelandclinic.org
- 2Dihydroxyacetone, tanning cream, sunless tanningdermnetnz.org
- 3Sunless Tanners & Bronzersfda.gov
- 4Vitiligorightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk
