Will HRT medication affect my tan?

Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is a type of treatment used to manage the symptoms of menopause.

Lots of women take it – in the form of tablets, skin patches, gels or pessaries – to relieve them of hot flushes, mood swings and night sweats.

HRT contains hormones like progesterone and oestrogen. These changing levels of hormones can interfere with the results of a spray tan so it’s vital that you have a patch test before getting a full treatment to guarantee that you aren’t left with an uneven finish.

Your tanning therapist will be happy to apply a touch of tanner to an inconspicuous area to check for any adverse effects, like streaks or irregular patches of colour. You can do the same at home with fake tan from a bottle (the spot behind your ears is ideal); simply wait for the colour to develop and check that the area looks flawlessly golden before applying more product over the rest of your body.

Always tell your therapist you’re on HRT to benefit from their guidance. Some salons may be extra cautious and require you to bring in some evidence of your GP’s consent as well as get a patch test depending on their beauty insurance policy.