Will my tan go away if I peel?

If you peel, yes, your tan will go away. This is because when you peel, you are removing the top layer of skin cells, which contain the pigment that has been darkened by the sun. Once these cells are gone your skin will return to its normal colour. If you want to maintain your tan, it’s best to avoid peeling as much as possible. Instead, try tanning more gradually, in a controlled environment like a tanning salon, to help prolong the life of your tan without making your skin peel.