Tanning imparts a sun-kissed hue to your skin. Exposing your body to the sun for a few minutes can be both soothing and comforting, but having your body slathered in sunscreen isn't always pleasant. The desire to wash oneself can therefore arise after a tanning session, but could this potentially disrupt the skin's pigmentation process?
Can we shower immediately after a tanning session?
Published on October 4, 2024, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 4 min of reading
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Is it a good idea to shower after a tanning session?
During a tanning session, whether natural or artificial, the synthesis of melanin by melanocytes is activated in response to UV ray exposure. This process primarily serves a protective role for the epidermis, but also incidentally allows for a tanned complexion. When exposing oneself in this way, it is important to adopt certain measures, among which includes the application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen. This complements the protection provided by melanin and limits the damage caused by UV radiation (sunburn, dryness, skin conditions...).
After returning from the beach or sunbathing spot, the urge to shower and remove all the sunscreen from the skin's surface is quite strong. However, there is often a fear that water, soap, or the friction of skin under the shower may be detrimental to the tanning process and alter it. Rest assured: there is no link between washing after a tanning session and the durability of the colouration, which typically lasts for a month. Indeed, the mechanism by which tanning fades is cellular differentiation, that is, the maturation of epithelial cells that load up with keratin to become dead cells (corneocytes) making up the horny layer and eventually being shed. This process is internal to the skin and is not influenced at all by the surface phenomenon of taking a shower.
Note : if you have applied a self-tanner to your face or body, wait at least 6 hours before taking a shower. It is indeed important to wait, as there is a risk of rinsing off some of the product and ending up with a non-uniform tan and areas that are more coloured than others.
The benefits of a shower after tanning.
Taking a shower after sunbathing is beneficial for skin health. This notably helps to rid the epidermis of any sun care products that may have mixed with sweat and sebum on its surface. It is important to remove all these impurities, as they could be responsible forblocking the skin's pores. This phenomenon then promotes the appearance of blemishes. A good shower is all the more necessary if you are returning from a sunbathing session at the beach or pool. Indeed, sand grains or pool chlorine can be irritating to the skin and dry it out.
After showering, we recommend applying a nourishing cream or oil to your skin to soothe and replenish your epidermis. It is indeed common to experience slight warming sensations after sun exposure. Finally, in the following days, hydrate your skin intensely. This will help to restore the hydrolipidic film present on its surface and compensate for the water loss it will have undergone.
