leave the fake tan on too long

What happens if you leave the fake tan on too long?

If you leave the fake tan on too long, you may have a lot of trouble removing it. Some of the possible problems are:

  • Risk of patchiness
  • Dried out skin
  • Irritated skin and rashes
  • Darker colour than desired
  • Over-exfoliated skin

The tanning solution sits on your skin, which can cause clogged pores. Also, a fake tan can irritate skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.

You can also get contact dermatitis due to your skin’s reaction to the ingredients in self-tanning formulas. Plus, you can get an allergic reaction.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you buy from my link I might make a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay. See the full affiliate disclosure here.

Minor issues

Your skin cells will darken as they absorb the colourants in self-tanners, but too much colourant means a darker shade of orange. Some people may end up with streaking and patchiness on their skin if they leave the product on for too long.

Keep reading if you want to find out more about what happens if you wash your fake tan off early.

dl.beatsnoop.com 1649773974
What happens if you leave the fake tan on too long?

Can I sleep with a fake tan on?

The good news is that it’s not impossible to get a full night’s sleep with a fake tan on.

When you’re letting your tan develop overnight, the main thing to remember is the following. You want to avoid anything that can cause friction and buff against the skin. 

That includes things like wearing socks or sheets that will rub on your legs while you’re tossing and turning in your sleep! It also applies to things like sleeping in a bra, which could cause stubble or hair on your back or underarms to rub against the skin.

While it’s crucial for your tan to develop overnight fully, it’s also crucial for you to be comfortable and able to rest.

The only thing we would recommend avoiding is sleeping with wet hair. Sleeping with your hair wrapped up in silk is fine. Still, any friction here can cause your tan to start coming off as soon as it comes into contact with water before it’s had time to set properly.

dl.beatsnoop.com 1649773997 1
What happens if you leave the fake tan on too long?

What happens if you wash your fake tan off early?

You won’t ruin your tan, but you can wash off a lot of product and start over. Many fake tans need at least eight hours to develop fully, so it’s probably better to do it at night.

You may wash off the tan, but the chemical reaction will still stain your skin. Tan lines are definitely possible when you wash off your fake tan too early.

Pro tip: Despite the name, you should pat yourself dry after showering rather than rubbing vigorously with a towel.

All in all, It’s better to wait out the time and let it develop naturally than try to use baby oil and scrub it off early.

dl.beatsnoop.com 1649773985
What happens if you leave the fake tan on too long?

Does fake tan stop developing after 8 hours?

Yes, a fake tan does typically take 8 hours to dry. When you have applied the tan to your body correctly, it dries in a few hours and lasts for several days.

If you don’t like where you started out or if it’s too dark, you can wash off the desired amount with soap and water.

Now, even if you take a shower and remove all the excess product you used on your skin, your tan will still be developing. It will develop as long as there is moisture left on the surface of your skin. It’s also important to keep yourself hydrated if you want to keep your tan for longer than 5 days.

So, does fake tan stop developing after 8 hours? Yes, but it depends on how well you prep your skin and if there is any moisture still left on the surface.

How to know if it is time to redo your fake tan?

If you are not sure if it is time to redo your fake tan, watch out for these tips below:

  • If the colour has become dull or lost its lustre
  • If your tan is starting to flake and look like it’s rubbing off on everything you touch
  • If your tan is visibly patchy, blotchy or uneven in some areas
  • If your tan has faded so much that you can no longer see it
  • If your tan is wearing off in streaks or lines, especially around the knees, knuckles and elbows
  • Suppose the colour of your fake tan is coming off when you wipe yourself after using the toilet, even though it’s only been a few hours since you applied. This indicates that olive skin girls need to redo their fake tan more often.

These are the main things to look out for if you are not sure if it is time to redo your tan. Also, check out the label on the product to see how long your tan should last.

dl.beatsnoop.com 1649774011 1
What happens if you leave the fake tan on too long?

Conclusion: What happens if you leave the fake tan on too long?

You’ll need to give your fake tan time to develop properly before you can start showering and cleaning the sheets. Otherwise, you’ll be putting your health at risk. It takes a while for fake tans to dry, so make sure you set aside enough time. Don’t move around too much in your sleep until it’s time to settle.

You apply the fake tan in the process of gradual darkening to give the appearance of a much deeper tan. So, if you have applied a fake tan correctly, then the first time, it naturally comes off when you shower or sweat. Then the next time when it naturally comes off from daily life.

This can take several days – though closer to one week during summer months and by the seaside than others. If you fake tan, expect a bronzed effect as it leaves your skin with a natural glow that wears off over several hours or days. Of course, it all depends on how often you shower or cleanse your skin.

We hope this blog post shares some information about fake tans and leaves them on for too long. If you want to know more about this topic, you can read more about it in our other blog posts.

As always, if you have any further questions, feel free to write them down below.

Similar Posts