A spray tan usually lasts 5–10 days, and self tan applied at home typically lasts 5–7 days. Exactly how long depends on your skin, your prep and how you look after the colour.
Here we go through what controls how long the colour lasts – and what you can do to make it last as long as possible.
The quick answer
A spray tan applied with a machine, at a salon or at home, usually lasts 5–10 days. The machine applies a fine, even layer, which sets you up for an even fade.
Mousse typically lasts 5–7 days and develops within 2–12 hours depending on the product.
A gradual mist works differently: the colour builds up gradually and reaches full effect after around 24 hours. Because you apply regularly, you maintain the tone continuously instead of letting it fade away.
Why does the colour fade?
The colour comes from DHA reacting with the outermost layer of your skin. It is not permanent – your skin renews itself constantly, and as the outermost skin cells shed, the colour goes with them.
That is why the colour always fades gradually over roughly a week, no matter how good the product or application is. What you can influence is how evenly and how slowly it happens.
What decides how long the colour lasts
Your prep: exfoliated, well-hydrated skin gives an even surface where the colour adheres the same everywhere – and fades the same everywhere.
Skin dryness: dry skin sheds faster, and the colour disappears with the skin cells. This is the single most common reason a tan fades quickly or patchily.
Your habits: long hot showers, baths, saunas, chlorinated water and heavy workouts with lots of sweat all speed up fading. Scrubs, exfoliating mitts and certain skincare acids remove the colour directly.
Development time: how long the product develops before your first shower affects the colour depth you start with.
How to make the colour last longer
Moisturise your whole body daily with a fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturiser. It is the single most important thing you can do – hydrated skin keeps the colour longer and fades more evenly.
Keep showers short and lukewarm and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing. Avoid scrubs and peeling for as long as you want to keep the colour.
Top up with a gradual mist between applications to keep the tone even without starting over.
When the colour starts to fade
After about a week the colour starts to fade naturally. That is when you can start exfoliating gently – it gives a more even fade and preps your skin for the next application.
Never apply new colour on top of old patchy colour. Wait until the old tan has faded evenly, or exfoliate the remains away first.
How often can you reapply?
Once the old colour has faded evenly you are good to go – for many people that means a new spray tan or mousse application about once a week.
If you want an even tone year-round without obvious cycles, a gradual mist is the easiest way: a lighter application a few times a week instead of a bigger application every week.
The routine that extends your colour
- 1Exfoliate and moisturise in the days before application.
- 2Follow the development time and rinse off after 6–8 hours, or per the product instructions.
- 3Moisturise daily with a fragrance-free moisturiser.
- 4Keep showers short and lukewarm and pat your skin dry.
- 5Avoid chlorine, saunas, long baths and scrubs for as long as you want to keep the colour.
- 6Maintain the tone with a gradual mist between applications.