There are many things that you shouldn’t let your hair come into contact with and one of those things is spray tan. While it doesn’t usually present many risks, it can stain the hair and cause discoloration. So, if you’re wondering, ‘what happens if I get spray tan in my hair?’ then here’s what you need to know.
If you get spray tan in your hair, it can cause some temporary discoloration or create an orange tinge to the hairline and hair strands. This can be difficult to remove if you have very light-colored hair. However, with the right preventative steps, it shouldn’t be an issue. It’s useful to know that spray tan will not permanently stain the hair.
How To Avoid Getting Spray Tan in Hair
Getting a spray tan can be messy and there is no perfect way of doing it.
One of the most unpleasant parts about a spray tan is staining along the hairline or even in the hair itself. This is something that you’ll want to avoid.
Unfortunately, this can be a common occurrence for those with bleached blonde hair. Naturally, blonde hair is far lighter and has the ability to soak up spray tan more than darker hair.
There are many tips on how to achieve a successful spray tan but here are a few tips on how to avoid getting spray tan in your hair:
Don’t Wash Your Hair Before Visiting The Tanning Salon
Going to a tanning salon with freshly washed hair may seem like a good idea if you want to avoid washing it immediately after.
But doing this could increase the chance of getting the tan in your hair.
Unwashed hair retains natural oils that act as a barrier by preventing the tan from staining the hair.
Apply Leave-In Conditioner Before Visiting The Tanning Salon
If the natural oils in your hair aren’t enough to act as a barrier, then you should consider using a leave-in conditioner. This can help to further protect against the tan.
Leave-in conditioners are designed to protect the hair. This includes preventing the absorption of the spray tan.
Remember to fully coat the hairline and behind the ears, as these spots are prone to attracting tan.
Use A Disposable Hair Net
One of the best ways to protect the hair against spray tan is to wrap the hair in a disposable net. This ensures that every hair strand is trapped inside it.
Any loose strands, particularly those who have very light hair, may experience some discoloration. It’s important to tightly secure the hair to avoid this.
Tie Up Your Hair
For those with darker hair, simply tying up the hair and keeping it away from the face might be enough to prevent the tan from staining the hair.
Those with lighter hair will want extra protection by both tying up the hair.
You can also use hair clips to prevent any loose strands from falling out.
Apply Moisturizer Or Petroleum To Hairline
To add additional protection and prevent staining along the hairline, you can use a moisturizer or petroleum jelly on the skin.
Thick cream or petroleum moisturizes the skin while acting as a strong barrier between the hair and the tanning solution.
Doing this can prevent any streaks or white lines across the hairline, too.
Follow Instructions On Home Spray Tan Kit
There will be clear instructions on the back of the packaging that should be easy to follow in theory.
It is however also advised that you read reviews so you can get a good idea of how you should apply it to get even coverage and avoid staining.
Some spray tan kits or products are better than others of course. It is therefore always advised that you do thorough research before applying.
Speak To Your Spray Tan Professional
While using spray tan at home can be a challenge, getting a spray tan at a salon takes the pressure off.
A professional uses their skills and knowledge to apply an even application that doesn’t leave streaks or staining on the hair.
Make sure that you let them know about any concerns you have prior to application so they can do their best to make sure there are no issues.
I Got Spray Tan In My Hair – What Do I Do?
Many people might worry about permanent discoloration of the hair after getting spray tan on it. There is however actually no risk of this because spray tan doesn’t penetrate the hair or skin.
While it might be unpleasant, it won’t cause any damage to the hair long-term and it can be fully removed from the hair when the right steps are taken.
So what happens if you get spray tan on blonde hair?
Well, it can be an issue with bleached blonde hair as this type of hair soaks up spray tan very easily, and is, therefore, more difficult to remove.
That’s why it’s always advised that people with lighter-colored hair follow the above precautions to avoid this situation.
If you didn’t follow the above steps or the tan still managed to stain the hair, then follow these steps below:
Stay Calm
There’s no reason to panic in this situation because as mentioned above, spray tan will not damage your hair.
While it might take a lot of effort to remove, particularly if the hair is very light, it is possible.
Some people in this situation might decide to dye their hair a darker color to disguise any discoloration but that’s really not necessary.
Read Spray Tan Instructions If Using a Home Kit
Some spray tan kits may provide instructions on what to do in the event the spray tan comes into contact with the eyes or the hair.
If there isn’t any information, you might be able to find this out by getting in touch with a professional.
Follow The Advice Of Your Spray Tan Professional
A spray tan professional will be very familiar with this situation and they will have given advice to many customers about removing spray tan from the hair.
Simply follow up with them and ask what the best course of action is.
Use DIY Fake Tan Remover If Necessary
There are some chemical spray tan removers that you can purchase to rub on the skin and remove any staining on the hairline or in the hair.
If you decide to use this method, a patch test should always be carried out first as a reaction could occur. It also should never be used on the eyebrows or the lashes.
Use Heated Extra Virgin Olive Oil To Remove Spray Tan From Hair
If you’re looking for a gentler alternative to a chemical spray tan remover, then you can simply heat up some extra virgin olive oil and apply this to the skin or the hair.
Olive oil is very effective at loosening dead skin cells and removing color stains.
You can also use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice, mixed into a paste.
This works by removing dark pigmentation and restoring hair to its former color.
Wash Hair After a Minimum Of 6 Hours
To lessen the risk of staining or streaking, it’s always recommended that you wait a minimum of 6 hours before washing your hair, although 24 hours is preferable.
After this time, the tan will have fully developed and set into the skin.
How To Wash Hair After a Spray Tan
There is a right and a wrong way to wash the hair following a spray tan if you want the best results possible.
Using the wrong products or too hot water on your hair can cause uneven coverage or faded results.
In order to make the most of your tan and avoid any unnecessary effects on the hair and skin, you should carefully follow these steps:
1. Use Sulphate-Free Shampoo
SLS and SLES can strip the hair as well as the spray tan.
These chemicals can irritate the skin and strip color away, which in turn, can cause streaking and irritating white lines near the hairline.
Products containing alcohol, dyes, or mineral oils can also impact the spray tan and cause it to fade sooner.
In order to avoid this, you should always opt for a sulfate-free shampoo or conditioner following a spray tan.
These gentler products will help make your tan last longer and create a more natural fade, so it shouldn’t be patchy or streaky.
2. Wash Hair Upside Down Before Washing Off The Spray Tan
You need to ensure your hair is thoroughly clean but you don’t want to run the risk of ruining the tan by causing streaks.
The best way to avoid this is to wash your hair upside down in the shower with lukewarm water only, as hot water can strip away color.
By washing it upside down, the shampoo or conditioner isn’t left to sit on the skin or run down the face, which should minimize the chances of streaks, patches, or uneven coverage.
After washing your hair, you should try to put it in a bun or cap to avoid the wet hair from resting on your skin and causing patches.
Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using.
