Can I get a spray tan with sunburn?

We’re going to cut to the chase here — spray tans and sunburn do not get along.

We know it can be tempting to try to hide that painful sunburn with a nice sunless glow, but it’s not a good idea and frankly, it’s probably not going to work.

So, let’s talk about why you shouldn’t get a spray tan if you’ve had a sunburn within the last 6 months.

First of all, it’s important to understand what happens to your skin when you get a sunburn. Sunburn is a type of radiation burn that happens when the skin is exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This can cause damage to the skin cells, which can lead to redness, pain and peeling.

When you get a spray tan, the active ingredient in the tanning solution is DHA (dihydroxyacetone). DHA works by reacting with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin to produce a temporary color change. Therefore, if your skin is already damaged from a sunburn, the DHA can react with the damaged skin cells in a way that causes uneven or patchy coloration.

Additionally, the tanning solution can further irritate your sunburned skin, causing even more pain and discomfort. The last thing you want is to make your sunburn worse or delay the healing process.

So, what should you do if you have a sunburn and want a spray tan?

The best thing to do is to wait until your sunburn has completely healed before getting a spray tan, which sadly can take several months depending on the severity of your sunburn. (The picture at the top of this blog post is actually of skin damage that happened THREE YEARS prior! Yes, three years).

In the meantime, be sure to take good care of your sunburned skin by staying hydrated, applying soothing creams or lotions and avoiding further sun exposure.

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to cover up sunburn with a spray tan, it’s not a good idea. Wait until your sunburn has healed before getting a spray tan and take good care of your skin in the meantime. Stay safe and happy tanning!