When should you shower before indoor tanning?

Answer 1

You can take a shower anytime you want to after tanning outdoor. Taking a shower after tanning will not wash your tan away. A natural tan takes 24-48 hours to develop. The tanning process occurs within the epidermis when melanocyte cells are stimulated by ultraviolet light that causes them to produce the pigment melanin. Melanin production results in the tanned appearance of the skin and is the skin's natural defense against the sun and over-exposure, i.e. sun-burning. Melanin travels to the surface, where it eventually flakes off. This process allows us to develop new skin every four to eight weeks. Keeping your skin hydrated and exfoliated will help maintain a more radiant and healthy-looking tan.

Answer 2

If you have on makeup it may be wise to wash it off before tanning to avoid uneven tanning. If you are using a lotion that is oil based- check for mineral oil, many lotions have it as an ingrediant wash it off before tanning because these lotions WILL ruin the bed if it is an acrylic bed like most. I know this is true because I work at a tanning salon.

Answer 3

Showering right after tanning has no detrimental effect on your tan (tingle and bronzers aside). The issue of drying of the skin by showering is so small that it will not interrupt the tanning process, or cause any uneveness in the tan. Melanogenesis occurs from the inside out, not the other way around. And the skin does not "absorb" UV rays, by the way- melanocyte cells are irradiated and begin to produce melanin from tyrosine, this results in delayed pigment darkening (DPD). The first part of a tan is immediate pigment darkening (IPD), which is the photo-oxidation of melanin granules already present. This occurs quite independently from lotions, showers, etc. Remember, the body has been "tanning" for millions of years, it knows exactly what to do, with or without external factors (lotion companies and salons would like you to think otherwise). So you can shower, not shower, use lotions or not, and you WILL tan. Now about moisturizing, sure it's excellent for your skin, and you can apply it before and after you tan (and shower), and your skin will look and feel great. But in terms of the tanning process itself, if you are properly hydrated (as in drinking plenty H20) your skin will tan properly.

Answer 4

4 or more hours after you've spray tanned.