Maintain a Tan

If you have a nice tan from a vacation or the summer months, it can be difficult to maintain. Tans may fade or turn into sunburns without proper care. To preserve your tan, keep your skin moisturized and protected from the sun. Use beauty products to bolster the tan if it starts to fade. Do things like drink extra water to help your tan stick around longer.

Steps

Practicing Daily Skin Care

1. Moisturize your skin regularly. Moisturizing your skin will keep your tan looking smooth and natural. Too much sun can dry out your skin, leaving a tan with a cracked or burnt appearance. Use moisturizer each day to maintain a smooth, attractive tan.
   • Apply any regular moisturizer you use after showering or each time your skin feels dry.
   • In addition to your regular moisturizer, go for after-sun creams like aloe vera. Applying such creams after being out in the sun can help your skin repair, leaving you looking tanned rather than burnt.
2. Avoid waxing. If waxing is your chosen hair removal method, go a different route. Waxing can strip off the top layer of your skin, removing your tan. Instead of waxing, opt for shaving as you try to maintain your tan.
   • As shaving can dry out your skin, always moisturize afterwards. You should also use a moisturizing shaving cream.
3. Wear sunscreen. A tan can go from bronzed to burnt without proper protection from the sun. Each time you go out in the sun, apply sunscreen to any exposed body parts. Use a sunscreen with a high SPF. The higher the SPF, the better protected your skin will be from the sun.
   • It can also help to avoid sun exposure by wearing longer sleeves and things like hats and visors.
4. Shower in cool water. When taking your morning shower, avoid the hot water. Hot water can strip oils from your body, lessening your tan. When showering, opt for cooler water to keep your tan longer.
   • Also, use moisturizing body washes in the shower to avoid stripping your skin of oils needed to maintain a tan.

Using Products to Maintain a Tan

1. Use self-tanner on your face. Your face is generally the first thing people notice. A fading facial tan will be immediately noticeable, so use self-tanner to fix up any fading. Purchase a self-tanner designed for your face and apply it regularly to keep your tan noticeable.
   • Go for gradual tanners, as these tend to look more natural.
2. Wear bronzer. A little bronzer on your face can also help your tan last longer. Apply the bronzer on areas where the sun naturally hits your face, such as the forehead, temples, nose, and cheekbones. This will highlight your natural tan, preventing the product from looking fake.
   • Apply enough bronzer to give your skin a natural glow. Too much bronzer can be overwhelming and make your tan look fake. You want to recreate your natural tan rather than replace it altogether.
3. Patch up your tan with spray-on tan. Unless you have access to the sun all the time, your tan will eventually start to fade. As your tan fades, patch it up with spray-on tan. If your tan starts to lighten or darken, spray some fake tan on patchy areas to even things out.
4. Use pills. Over-the-counter pills that are designed to protect skin, such as Phytobronz Skin Protect, may help you maintain a tan. Such pills help replenish oils in your skin that are lost during the tanning process. If you're concerned about maintaining your tan, try taking some medication.
   • However, some over-the-counter pills are not FDA regulated. Always check with your doctor before taking any new medications.

Adjusting Your Lifestyle

1. Wear white. White clothing creates contrast between your skin and clothing. To make your tan more apparent, wear white clothing as it starts to fade. This will create the illusion that your tan is stronger than it is.
   • If white is not your color, any lighter shades will do.
2. Eat more beta-carotenes. Beta-carotenes are found in foods with a red-orange pigment like sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, and mangoes. Beta-carotenes can subtly change the color of your skin, helping you maintain your sun-kissed look longer.
3. Eat foods with tyrosine. Certain foods contain an ingredient called tyrosine that can help you maintain tanned skin longer. The following foods are rich in tyrosine:
   • Turkey
   • Cottage cheese
   • Avocado
   • Egg white
   • Salmon
   • Almonds
4. Stay hydrated. Extra water intake can help your tan stick around longer. Seek to drink extra water to maintain your tan. Drink a glass of water with each meal, stop at water fountains whenever possible, and carry a water bottle with you at all times.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Apply Self Tanner to Your Back
• Get a Good Tan when You Are Light Skinned
• Get Tanned Fast
• Remove a Tan
• Get a Tan
• Get a Good Spray Tan
• Apply Bronzer
• Turn Sunburn Into a Tan
• Reverse Sun Damage
• Fade Your Tan Fast

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