Following the recent heatwave, plenty of us are enjoying a warm, healthy-looking glow picked up over one of the hottest British summers on record. There is something lovely about catching sight of that colour in the mirror, and it can leave you feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin. As the warmest days begin to ease off, the natural next question is how to hold on to your tan and keep it looking its best for as long as possible.
The good news is that maintaining your tan is simple when you know how. With a little daily care and a few clever habits, you can keep your glow looking fresh and even for longer. Here are our top tips from the team at iSunn.
Our top tips for maintaining your tan
1. Keep your skin well moisturised
Moisturising is the single most important thing you can do to make your tan last. Your colour lives in the upper layers of your skin, and when those layers become dry they flake away and take your tan with them. Applying a good moisturiser every day keeps your skin soft, supple and hydrated, which helps your tan fade slowly and evenly rather than in patches. For best results, moisturise in the morning and again before bed, paying particular attention to drier areas such as elbows, knees and ankles.
2. Hydrate from the inside out
Beautiful, glowing skin starts from within. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep your skin hydrated and healthy, which in turn helps your tan hold on to its colour for longer. It is a small, easy habit that makes a big difference.
3. Be gentle in the shower
How you shower can have a real impact on how long your tan lasts. Very hot water and long soaks can dry out your skin and encourage your colour to fade more quickly. Try to keep showers warm rather than hot, choose a gentle, moisturising body wash, and pat your skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing. These small changes all help your tan stay looking its best.
4. Exfoliate gently and at the right time
Exfoliating might sound counterintuitive when you are trying to hold on to your colour, but done gently it really helps. Removing dry, dead skin cells keeps the surface smooth and even, which helps your tan look fresh and prevents patchy fading. The trick is to be gentle and consistent rather than scrubbing hard, and it is best to exfoliate before a tanning session so your new colour develops on a smooth, clean canvas.
5. Top up regularly with short sessions
A tan is easiest to maintain when you keep it topped up little and often. Short, regular sessions help you hold your colour steadily rather than letting it fade and starting again from scratch. Our sunbeds are perfect for a quick top-up whenever it suits you, and because we work on a drop-in basis, there is no need to book in advance. Simply pop in whenever you have a spare moment.
6. Make the most of tanning products
The right tanning products can make a real difference to how deep and how long-lasting your colour is. Accelerators help you develop your tan more quickly, bronzers add extra depth, and a good moisturiser keeps everything looking fresh. We stock a wide range of tanning products both in salon and through our online shop, and our friendly team is always happy to help you find the right one for your skin. If you are not sure where to start, our guide to tanning accelerators, bronzers and tingle creams explains how each one works.
7. Watch out for chlorine and salt water
Swimming is wonderful, but chlorine and salt water can both cause your tan to fade more quickly. If you are heading to the pool or the sea, try to rinse off afterwards and follow up with a generous layer of moisturiser to help protect your colour.
8. Eat your way to a healthy glow
What you eat can support your skin too. Foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and apricots, are known to support a healthy skin tone and can complement your tan beautifully. A colourful, balanced diet is good for your skin and for the rest of you as well.
Tan your way at iSunn
Whether you are building a new tan or keeping an existing one topped up, our modern studios make it easy and relaxing. Both our Bristol (Gloucester Road) and Portishead salons feature the latest in tanning technology, so you can choose the environment that suits you best.
Our lay-down sunbeds include the Ergoline Excellence 800 and the Luxura X7 Special, fitted with ultra facial tanners along with additional shoulder and neck tanners for an even, all-over glow. They also feature cooling technology, voice guidance and a built-in music system, so you can relax and unwind while you tan. If you prefer to tan standing up, our Hapro V6 Luxura XL stand-up booths offer a high-intensity option with SoundAround audio and Bluetooth. Both sunbed types use quality Cosmedico and Rubino lamps.
Great value tanning packages
Keeping your glow topped up is easy on the wallet too. You can pay as you go at £1.00 per minute, or save with one of our minute packages, which can all be used across our lay-down sunbeds and vertical stand-up units.
- Our Bronze package gives you 60 minutes for £54.00, which works out at just 90p per minute and is perfect for keeping your glow topped up.
- Our Silver package, our most popular option, gives you 90 minutes for £76.50, which works out at just 85p per minute for more time and more glow.
- Our Gold package offers the best value of all, giving you 120 minutes for £96.00 at just 80p per minute for maximum, longer-lasting colour.
Keep your glow going
Ready to keep your tan looking its best? Pop into iSunn any day of the week, with no appointment needed. You can find us in Bristol on Gloucester Road and in Portishead, and our friendly, fully trained team will be happy to help you make the most of your tan. You can find your nearest salon and all our opening details on our salons page.