You’ve gotten your spray tan done, ready to go. But wait! What should you do with that extra hair that still needs to be shaved?
Can you shave after a spray tan? How long should you wait?
You don’t want to damage your freshly-sprayed tan and ruin your beautiful bronze glow. But fear not, help is here!
Let’s unravel the mysteries of body hair and spray tanning.
Table of Contents
Shaving Before a Spray Tan: Do’s and Don’t’s
When it comes to spray tanning and shaving, you should know lots of things.
Here is some helpful information on the best time to shave, how close to shave, when not to shave, and more helpful tips.
Do I Need to Shave Before a Spray Tan?
To keep it short. Uhhhh… YEAH! You need to shave before your spray tan if you don’t want to look patchy.
All the tanning experts will suggest shaving before a spray tan, and for a good reason. Klaudia Suszczynska, an airbrush tanning artist, (1) says,
“You need to shave or wax your skin at least 24 hours before you get a spray tan, and ideally one to two days after.”
Tans stick better on shaved skin and will look that much smoother and better. Isn’t that the whole plan, anyway?
Can I Shave BEFORE a Spray Time?
Yes, you can and should shave or wax before a spray tan for best results.
A tanning product always sticks better on smoother skin.
Even when using the best spray tan machine for self use, it is best to get your razor blade out and shave before undergoing the process.
When Can You Shave BEFORE a Spray Time?
Now that you understand the need to shave off your coarse hair before undergoing a tanning sesh, here are some of the approved timings to get shaving.
| The night before | This is probably the best time to shave, as per various tanning specialists. This way, you have healed from your razor burns, and the pores have closed. |
| The day of the spray time | If you’re getting your tan in the evening, it is okay to shave in the morning before your appointment. |
| An hour before | If you don’t have overly sensitive skin, it is okay to shave an hour before, but I don’t recommend this. Depending on the tanning product used, your skin may get irritated. |
Other Shaving Tips BEFORE the Spray Tan
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!
Another important thing before spray tanning is getting rid of all the dead cells.
And what better way to do that than by exfoliating all the grub off your skin? (2) I love a good exfoliator and how my skin feels after it’s done. So does your tanning solution.
Sophie Evans, St. Tropez finishing expert, says, “I always recommend exfoliating at least eight hours prior to your spray tan appointment.”
Exfoliating removes all the dead skin cells and dry patches to have flawless tanning at the salon or portable tanning booths.
Shower before the appointment
It is best to shower before you show up to your appointment, so your skin is free of all lotions and oils before the appointment.
Even if you have nothing on, sweat can cause quite a hindrance to your tanning application. Taking a bath right before your appointment helps the solution adhere better to your skin.
But does fake tan come off when you sweat? Yes, it does. So make sure you don’t do anything strenuous after your session.
Can you shower before and after a spray tan? Watch this video!
Shaving After a Spray Tan: Do’s and Don’ts
How do you get rid of that annoying stubble when you’ve gotten a spray tan? Here are tips to get rid of that stubble without ruining your tan.
Can I Shave After a Spray Tan?
Yes, you can. Of course, getting a tan doesn’t mean you need to forego your razor. But, be sure to take the necessary precautions.
“Can I shave my legs after a spray tan?” Yes, you can. Read on, and I’ll tell you how to safely get shaving after your tan.
When Can You Shave After a Spray Tan?
24 hours! It is best to let the tan stick to your skin for at least 24 hours before doing anything to your body.
But we’re all impatient and have so much on our plates, don’t we? In that case, tanning experts recommend waiting at least four to eight hours before using a razor on your skin.
Does Shaving Take Away Your Tan?
Sadly, yes! Depending on the shaving product and the tanning solution you used on your skin, some of the colors will come off.
Tans do eventually fade, anyway, and you should see the color coming off while you shower, so this is nothing out of the ordinary.
Here is a detailed video on shaving after a spray tan.
Related: How Long Should You Wait to Shower After Tanning?
Spray Tan Safe Shaving Products
When you choose to have a spray tan, it’s important to remember that your skin will be slightly more sensitive.
So It makes sense to use safe shaving products when coming into contact with your tan.
Here are some top Tan safe shaving products.
1. Alcohol-free shaving creams:
Most shaving products contain alcohol, but some have fewer amounts of alcohol than others.
I use the Nivea Men Sensitive Shave Gel, both alcohol, and dye-free, and made extensively for sensitive skin like mine. It is inexpensive and one of the best options for shaving after getting your tan done.
Another great option to try is Pure by Gillette.
2. Electric razors:
If you can invest in an electric razor, please do so. It is less harsh than a traditional razor and gives you a close finish, which means you can maybe skip on daily shaving.
It is also better on tanned skin and will not exfoliate the top layers ensuring that the color stays on.
How to Shave After Spray Tan – Tips and Considerations
When is the best time to shave after a spray tan? Are there any tips or tricks? Here are the top tricks that have worked for me.
1. Use a brand new razor
While shaving, use a brand new razor so you don’t scrape off the tan with your blunt razor. Old razors can be abrasive and even result in exfoliation of the skin cells, thus leading to loss of color.
2. Find a mild shaving cream
It is also best to find a shaving cream that doesn’t contain any alcohol that will inevitably remove the color off your skin. You may even forego a shaving cream completely and shave off the skin with an oil-free moisturizing body wash.
3. Glide your razor
Be extra gentle while using the razor on your newly tanned skin. Using it too harsh or applying pressure may scrape off some of the colors and we don’t want that.
4. Use a depilatory cream instead
One of the ways to cut down on shaving is to use a depilatory cream. Victoria Jameson, Airbrush Tanning Artist,(3) says, “You can minimize shaving through the duration of your spray tan by using a Depilatory Cream.”
FAQs
Can I shave after tanning?
Can I fake tan with hairy legs?
What happens if you shave after spray tan?
Will shaving take off fake tan?
Conclusion
I hope this answers your question of whether or not it is safe to be shaving after a spray tan. Sunless tanning is an excellent way to get some color on the skin.
Gone are the days of pale and white.
Just because you look tan and gorgeous doesn’t mean you need to walk around with fuzz in your arms and legs.
I hope this article was informative for all you tanned beauties out there. Let’s get our glow on.
Do you shave after a spray tan? Let us know below!
Resources:
- 1. Nast C. 11 Things to Avoid Doing Right Before Getting a Spray Tan [Internet]. SELF. 2018 [cited 2022 May 6]. Available from: https://www.self.com/story/things-avoid-before-getting-spray-tan
- 2. Velasco T. Sunless Tanning Experts Explain Exactly How to Prepare for a Spray Tan Session [Internet]. Good Housekeeping. 2020 [cited 2022 May 6]. Available from: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a32106766/how-to-prepare-for-spray-tan/
- 3. Sandy Taylor. How to Shave Without Removing Fake Tan [Internet]. Foundation Fairy. 2020 [cited 2022 May 6]. Available from: https://www.foundationfairy.com/shave-without-removing-fake-tan/
