How long will my tan last?
It depends. Maintaining results is all in the aftercare. For the first eight hours post-bronzing, it’s essential not to get the skin wet, whether that’s with water from the shower or sweat. “I advise people to wear something loose after their tan so their skin can breathe, especially in the warmer months,” says Harknett. If you need to slip back into a white shirt and suit and re-enter polite society immediately after your tan, Harknett’s “dry style of tanning”, plus his tendency to cool down clients with a dryer afterwards, should leave you with next to no transfer.
For the next few days, there’s a checklist of steps you can take to extend the life of your glorious new glow so it lasts a good week and fades as evenly as the real thing. Quick warm showers are recommended, rather than baths, which can “waterlog the skin and lift the tan off quickly” and it’s best to pat yourself dry with your towel, rather than rub. After you’ve washed, lather on an oil-free lotion that’s “not too thick, fragrant or greasy”. Harknett is a fan of the lightweight, cheap and cheerful moisturiser-in-a-can formulas that you mist on. If you’re heading off on holiday, a dip in the ocean is preferable to one in a swimming pool because chlorine can fade your tan more quickly. Finally, high-intensity workouts that result in lots of friction and sweat can also strip the tan prematurely. A touch of talcum powder in any sweaty nooks, crannies and crevices should keep things ticking along.
