Pre-Tan Prep
1. Pre-Tan Prep
Preparing your skin before tanning lays the foundation for a long-lasting tan. Follow these essential steps:
Preparing the skin before tanning will help you achieve the best results and help your tan last even longer. Plan ahead with tanning to achieve a long-lasting tan.
Here are our top MEGATAN tips to help you prepare your skin for tanning and help you achieve a beautiful glow:
Exfoliate—An essential step before tanning is to exfoliate the upper layers of the skin and create a smooth, clean surface for the tan. Exfoliating the skin will remove a buildup of dead skin cells and help ensure an even tan. Dead skin cells can make the skin look dull, so it is essential to remove them before tanning.
Use a gentle, light exfoliant at least 24 hours before tanning. Scrub the skin gently to prevent damage to the skin barrier. Exfoliate with an exfoliating scrub, ideally one that contains natural ingredients, using either an exfoliating mitt or gloves.
Moisturise - After exfoliating, followed by applying a moisturiser focusing on any dry areas of the skin to prevent the tan from clinging to any dry patches. Focus on the elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees to give your skin the ultimate hydration. Hydrated skin tans easier and gives the skin a smooth complexion.
Drinking water and moisturising will keep the skin hydrated, prolonging the tan to fade faster. A tried and tested trick is to use a tan-extending moisturiser after showering. My personal favorite is the ProTan Beaches & Creme Tan Extending Moisturiser, as it provides the ultimate hydration and prolongs my tan.
2. Moisturising for a Longer Tan
Moisturise your skin before, during, and after tanning to keep it hydrated and maintain a longer-lasting tan. Use products such as rich body butters containing shea butter for the ultimate softness.
Incorporate silky oils and Hyaluronic-acid-infused lotions into your daily moisturising routine to feed your skin and lock in hydration.
Use after-sun lotions that also contain Vitamin C to lock in your tan, keep your skin hydrated, and prevent dryness.
3. Protecting Your Tan
Prevent your tan from fading or peeling with these protective measures:
To protect your tan from the sun, prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after sun exposure. Seek shade when spending time outdoors to prevent over-sun exposure.
Use Sun Cream or a Sun Lotion that contains a high SPF to prevent skin and sun damage and prevent the skin from burning. Opt for a broad spectrum of sun protection and wear protective clothing and eye protection.
Avoid hot baths or showers, and opt for lukewarm or cool showers to prevent dehydration. Use a nourishing shower oil or cream to keep your skin softer, hydrated, and protected.
4. Enhancing Your Tan
To keep your tan topped up, use a tanning serum to enhance your overall bronzed look and make your tan last longer. Apply a bronzer to areas of the face that would naturally be hit by the sun to create the appearance of a sun-kissed glow.
Use a gradual self-tanning lotion to keep your skin hydrated and enhance your tan. Choose a lotion that contains natural ingredients, such as Coconut oil, which will keep the skin looking healthy and hydrated and also feeling smooth. Apply the lotion every day, especially to areas that tend to fade faster, using an applicator mitt to make your bronzed look last longer.
Wearing white or light-colored clothing gives the illusion of darker skin and enhances its appearance.
Foods rich in Beta Carotenes, such as Carrots, Mangoes, Sweet potatoes, and Apricots, which contain a red-orange pigment, are known to recreate a beautiful colour from within.
5. Maintaining a Golden Glow
A natural tan will fade over time, but these steps will help prolong your glow:
Exfoliating at least 1-2 times a week to remove any buildup of dead cells keeps natural tanned skin glowing for longer. For the best results, apply the exfoliator with a gentle product and a buffing mitt, keeping the skin's barrier protected.
Use a tan-enhancing body polish and exfoliator to buff away dry skin and reveal a radiant glow gently.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep the skin healthy, hydrated, and supple. Staying hydrated will also extend the longevity of your tan.
Use an illuminating body lotion or oil to give your body an instant boost of radiance and make your tan look glowing.
Tips for a Longer-Lasting Tan
Unfortunately, a natural tan does not last forever and tends to fade over time. However, following these steps will help you prolong and maintain your tanned results for longer while also protecting your skin.
- Avoid burning by reducing overexposure to the sun to prevent peeling and ruining your tan.
- Protect your skin to make your tan last longer and to avoid skin damage.
- Use a fake tan/self-tan to make your tan look better and last longer.
- Buff your skin before applying fake tan/self-tan for a more even glow.
- Try Erythrulose, a natural tanning agent that lasts longer than DHA.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can enjoy a long-lasting, even sun-kissed tan daily. Be consistent with maintaining your tanned skin and prevent it from fading quickly by exfoliating and moisturising the skin cells daily.
Remember to moisturise, protect and enhance to keep your sun tan and colour for longer. Use gradual tan products to help your golden glow last longer and make your tan look better.
With these tips, you can enjoy your natural tan for longer and maintain a sun-kissed glow every day of the year!
