Can I Wear Leggings After Self Tanner?

Can I Wear Leggings After Self Tanner?

If a summer holiday passes without you getting a tan, did you really have fun? I’d think not. If you cannot get a proper tan during the summer and you choose to self-tan, that’s perfectly fine as well.

Most people opt for a self-tan as an alternative when there is no sun out or UV rays are too harsh on their skin and they need a way to get tanned without being exposed to the sun. If you’ve ever done a self-tan and you’re wondering what’s okay and what’s not afterward, let’s help you figure it out.

You should not wear leggings after a self-tan because they will ruin your new tan by leaving unpleasant marks on your skin. Since a self-tan does not require exposure to the sun, you need to allow it to sit properly before wearing leggings. Instead, wear free-flowing clothes that allow your skin to breathe and do not rub against your tan while you walk.

Self-tanning is a great way to keep your skin looking fresh and full of color even when the sun is not out. Who would say not to an opportunity like that? No one. Self-tanning just like sunbathing has certain precautions that should be taken into consideration before and after completing the procedure.

Here, we are focused on what you should wear after a self-tan to avoid ruining your tan before it has completely dried; let’s walk you through everything you need to know.

What Is Self-Tanning?

Self-tanning which is also known as sunless tanning or UV-filled tanning is a method of darkening your skin without getting exposed to the UV rays of the sun.

Self-tanning is done using creams, ointments, lotions, or sprays that can be applied directly to the skin and allowed to the skin and allowed to sit until it imitates the results gotten from a tan under the sun. 

Young woman tanning poolside

Can I Wear Leggings After Self-Tanner?

Being able to darken your skin and give it a sun-kissed glow without direct exposure to UV rays is amazing for people who easily react to prolonged exposure to UV rays and people looking to darken their skin when summer, even after summer has passed. 

That being said, getting a self-tan is not where it all comes together. You need to know what to do and what not to do after a self-tan to make sure that it does not get ruined before it dries properly.

One of the most important things to consider after a self-tan is the articles of clothing you choose to wear immediately after it is completed, your choice of outfit is most likely to ruin your self-tan or give it enough breathing space to dry. 

If you are thinking of throwing on a pair of leggings right after a self-tan, that’s a big NO. Leggings are made to be tight and fitting against the skin and this will immediately cause pressure on your wet self to tan and ruin it.

You may have to re-apply for your tanning cream or ointment to fix the damage that will be caused after wearing a pair of leggings. 

To get a pair of leggings on, you need to drag and pull it to stay against your skin and as you drag and pull it over your artificial tan, you are going to cause markings that will make your self-tan look unattractive and tacky when it finally dries up because of the uneven skin tone that will be made obvious. 

What To Do Before And After A Self -Tan

The best way to ensure that you get outstanding and satisfactory results after a self-tan is to prepare adequately before the self-tan process begins and follow the right tips to ensure that it dries perfectly on your skin after the self-tan process is completed.

It is very important to prep your skin correctly before getting a self-tan as this will impact greatly on the final results you end up with. If you want a perfect self-tan, below are some tips on what to do before a self-tan; 

  1. A day before your self-tan appointment or DIY procedure, stay away from bar soaps, oil-based products, and high pH shower products as they could become barriers against proper penetration of the tanning agent being used. 
  2. Stay away from any moisturizers, deodorant, perfume, or makeup on the day of your self-tan appointment.
  3. Make sure that you moisturize and exfoliate your skin properly 24 hours before the self-tan for proper penetration of the tanning agents.
  4. Ensure that your skin is clean and dry before you get a self-tan, dirty or moist skin also hinders the penetration of the tanning agent.
  5. You should wax or shave your legs and other hairy parts of your skin that will be tanned at least 48 hours before you get a self-tan, this allows your pores to easily take in the tanning agent used.

It is equally important for you to take certain practices into consideration after your self-tan has been completed to avoid ruining it. Below are some tips if what to do after getting a self-tan; 

  1. Take a shower after an hour or 45 minutes of the self-tan completion with lukewarm water for 45 seconds only, you just need the water to run down your skin, do not use soap or shower gels.
  2. Make sure you wear only loose clothing, avoid tightly fitted shoes or tight clothes, or else your tan might be ruined with marks.
  3. Avoid itching or scrubbing your skin while you bathe. 
  4. Moisturize your skin lightly with a rich lotion after every bathe, and pat the lotion softly into your skin.
  5. You can apply a soft body polish to your skin after the fourth day has passed, this will make sure that your self-tan looks radiant and fades out naturally when it is ready to come off instead of in patches.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What do you wear after self-tanning? 

The best clothing to wear after getting a self-tan is loosely fitted clothes such as a huge t-shirt gown, a flowing undress, wide-legged shorts, a free-flowing short skirt, a maxi dress, or loose pants made with light materials. You should stay away from tight clothes at all costs else your self-tan will get ruined before it dries properly.

How long does fake tan take to dry before getting dressed? 

A fake tan which is the same as a self-tan will take between 4 to 8 hours to completely develop, but it dries within the first four after application which allows you to take a shower for 45 seconds ( and no longer) and wear loose clothing and sandals afterward.

Should I shave before or after a fake tan? 

Whether you decide to wax, shave or use hair removal cream to get rid of hair on your skin, it is best to get this done at least 24 hours before your self-tan is done. It is very important for your skin to be smooth and hair free while self-tan is being applied to it, this ensures that there are no bumps in the application, and the tanning agent will be able to penetrate properly.

How long after a spray tan can I wear a bra? 

A bra is likely to stick tightly to your skin and apply some pressure to your self-tan if it has not properly dried. Owing to this fact, you should wait for four hours to go by after your self-tan has been completed before wearing a bra or any tight underwear. Otherwise, you will be left with unpleasant streaks and patches on your self-tan from sweat or the pressure caused by the bra. 

How often should you self-tan? 

If you would like your tan to last longer than a week which is the regular time frame for a self-tan, you can reapply the tanning cream or ointment every 3 to 5 days lightly to keep your skin glowing and looking freshly tanned.

Final Thoughts

While self-tanning is rather exciting and easy to do, there are a few things you need to take into consideration to avoid getting a tan that looks like you have dark patches all over your skin instead of looking properly aligned.

This is what leaves several people confused as to whether it is wise to wear a pair of leggings after a self-tan.

The answer will always be NO, a self-tan requires at least 4 to 8 hours to be properly dried before you can attempt wearing tighter clothes, so doing so before then means you will end up with a ruined self-tan.

To avoid this, stick to loose clothing and a free pair of sandals while equally avoiding tight underwear until your self-tan has completely dried. 

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