You have applied your b.tan self-tanning product and now the countdown begins. You’re advised to leave the product on for 4 hours so that it can develop into a beautiful bronze glow. But if it gets to shower time and you’re still not happy with the color of your tan, should you leave it on longer or does b.tan develop after a shower?
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According to the official b.tan website, taking a very quick shower without soap will allow some of the active ingredients to remain on the skin and continue developing.
You should always follow the instructions on your bottle of b.tan as not doing so could end up with some unwanted results. In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about applying and removing b.tan products so you get the most beautiful and long-lasting tan.
How Long Should I Leave b.tan On?
There are a lot of different b.tan products. What’s great is that they are all vegan and cruelty-free, super easy to apply, long-lasting, and best of all; they don’t stink! So, it’s easy to see why b.tan has become a go-to self-tanning brand for so many beauty lovers. If you’re keen to check out some of our favorite b.tan products, you can do that here.
But back to the main question. How long you have to leave b.tan on will depend on which of their products you are using. But let’s assume we are talking about the mousses or lotions. For these products, b.tan recommends you allow them to develop for up to four hours.
After this, you should get in the shower and remove the product otherwise you may end up turning an undesirable color…more on that later!
There are some advertisements showing b.tan as a one hour tanner. You should be mindful that this isn’t always correct. While it is possible to leave b.tan developing for just one hour, doing so will result in a less intense and lighter tan. But then, it’s all down to personal preference and what looks good on you.
Does b.tan Continue Developing After A Shower?
When you are ready to remove the layer of b.tan that you previously applied, the brand recommends not overdoing it in the shower. Don’t use this as your main shower for the day because you aren’t going to be able to use all of your favorite lotions and potions.
In fact, b.tan recommends spending no more than 45 seconds in the shower using lukewarm water and no soaps. Simply rinse your skin to get off any excess product. This allows the active ingredients to continue working on the skin so your tan will continue to develop and you’ll have the most long-lasting result.
What If I Leave The Product On For Longer?
Many people are under the impression that leaving self-tanners, like b.tan, on for longer than recommended will result in a darker glow. There is some truth to this and even b.tan themselves admit that the longer you leave their products on, the darker and more intense the result will be.
However, it could go in another direction and you may end up with some discoloration. This is usually what people would call ‘going orange’ and something that’s highly frowned upon in the tanning world.
What’s more, if you don’t wash your tanning product off, there’s a much higher chance that you’ll end up with streaks or an uneven finish. We’d recommend setting a timer so that you don’t forget to rinse off your b.tan at just the right moment.
How Long Will My Tan Last?
One of the reasons that b.tan has become so popular is that it is a long-lasting self-tanning product that doesn’t go patchy (when applied correctly.) Provided that you follow all of the instructions on the packaging and on the b.tan website, there is nothing to say that your tan won’t last the full advertised seven days.
Many reviewers find that they need to top up their b.tan after about five days but this can also depend on your individual skin. We have a more detailed guide on how long b.tan lasts which you can read here.
It is possible to make your b.tan last longer and be more even by applying it according to their instructions. This means making sure you have exfoliated the skin and applying a moisturizer in the days following the tan application to ensure a smooth and long-lasting result.
Conclusion
b.tan products are a great way to get a natural-looking tan without having to expose your skin to the harmful UV rays of the sun. There are a lot of products to choose from but the tanning lotions and mousses are among the most popular.
The great thing about b.tan is that the color will continue to develop even after your first shower. That is provided you follow b.tan’s instructions and have a quick 45 rinse without using any soaps.
Of course, your tanning lotion isn’t going to continue developing forever and the b.tan products typically only last up to seven days. Once you start showering normally using your regular soap then the tan will gradually fade. That said, there is no reason that you can’t keep topping it up so you have a consistent year round tan.