A tan fades as you naturally shed sunburned or tanned skin cells and replace them with new, untanned cells. ... A darker tan doesn't defend against sun damage or future skin cancer. A “base tan” is not a healthy or safe way to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.

How long does a tan take to fade?

Generally speaking, a tan that was achieved through sunbathing outside can be expected to last 7 to 10 days before the outer layer of the skin begins to exfoliate naturally. Spray tans can start to fade in as little as 1 day without proper care and can last as long as 10 days.

Why does my tan fade so quickly?

1. You haven't been moisturising daily. This the number one reason why tans fade faster is when your skin becomes too dry and the skin cells on the surface begin to flake off, taking your tan with them. ... Taking a long bath or shower will dehydrate your skin, causing your skin cells to flake away faster.