Can I put fake tan over patchy fake tan?

Author: Mikel Pagac  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

You'll be able to top up your tan with a fresh new layer once your existing tan shows signs of fading. We'd advise waiting until your colour has completely faded away before stepping back in the booth to ensure even coverage and to give your new tan the best chance to last as long as possible.

Can you apply a second layer of fake tan?

We generally recommend sticking to one self tanning product per application. If you do not find the colour to be as deep as you would like, you can always apply a second coat 30-60 minutes after initial application, or the following day.

How to fix patchy fake tan without taking it off?

If you ever go away and forget your tan. or have really patchy tan and need to fix this, I have a quick tip. Grab some body lotion. Any body lotion will do. Pop a small base on the palm of your hands, grab whatever foundation you're using and pump it into the lotion.

Can you get a real tan on top of a fake tan?

Can You Tan Through Fake Tan? This is a question many people ponder, and the answer is yes, you can.

Can I put self-tanner over self-tanner?

It's generally safe to apply more self-tanner after washing it off, especially since you let it develop for several hours. Just make sure your skin is clean and dry before applying another layer. Keep in mind that it might deepen the color, so be cautious with the amount you use!

Best Self Tanner? Tested 9 NEW Products + Tips & Tricks for a Flawless Tan

What happens if you put fake tan over old fake tan?

You'll be able to top up your tan with a fresh new layer once your existing tan shows signs of fading. We'd advise waiting until your colour has completely faded away before stepping back in the booth to ensure even coverage and to give your new tan the best chance to last as long as possible.

How do you put tan over patchy tan?

If your fake tan is fading unevenly

Before applying more fake tan, have a soak in a bath of warm water and use an exfoliating mitt to really smooth the skin and get rid of any remnants of a fading, streaky self-tan.

Can you fake tan over spots?

Fake tan products work by reacting with dead skin cells. As you often find more dead cells around a pimple, fake tan can sometimes make acne look worse rather than help to hide it. You can help to prevent a patchy appearance caused by using fake tan on acne-covered skin by exfoliating before you apply it.

Do you tan faster in water or laying out?

You don't necessarily tan faster in water or laying out. This is because water reflects UV rays, so you may not be getting as much exposure as you think if you're actually in the pool.

Do you have to remove self tanner before reapplying?

Apply and leave on the skin for at least five minutes before rinsing, and your tan should fade evenly. You can also remove any pesky patches with our Exfoliation Mitt. When you decide to re-tan you will get your best results by removing your previous tan completely and starting with a fresh blank canvas.

How do you fix a patchy natural tan?

Simply take some coconut oil (mixing other natural oils is okay as well), apply it on the uneven tanned areas, and leave it on overnight. When you wake up in the morning, simply wash your skin. Repeat the process each day, and your tan lines should be barely visible after a while.

How to avoid orange knees when fake tanning?

Squeeze the mousse onto a tanning mitt and apply it to the body in smooth, circular motions. Top tip: to avoid orange patches, go light on the ankles, elbows, knees, knuckles, and nose. These areas are the most absorbent and will darken quickly. The more mousse you apply, the deeper the tan will be.

Should I moisturize before fake tan?

To keep the drier areas from going patchy, make sure you moisturise all over and pay extra special attention to these troublesome areas. Try to leave the moisturiser to sink in for at least half an hour before you start the application stage of your fake tan routine.

Can I put self-tanner on two days in a row?

Gradual tan is best applied once a day, or every few days depending on the colour you wish to achieve. It Is not recommended to apply gradual tan twice a day as this can cause the product to build up, too much product can affect how even your colour is.

Does fake tan get darker after a shower?

If you showered after just a few hours, you might notice your skin is not as tanned as you'd expected. Don't fret! Your colour will continue to develop and darken for a few hours (and a spray tan takes up to 24 hours to develop fully). That brown water disappearing down the drain?

Can I shave 2 hours before fake tan?

Avoid shaving immediately before your spray tan session. Ideally, shave 24 hours prior to allow your skin to recover and avoid any potential irritation. Exfoliate gently: If you're shaving before tanning, gently exfoliate your skin using a mild scrub or exfoliating glove.

Do you tan better when you're wet or dry?

Moist skin will tan better and more evenly than dry skin. Your skin knows that moisture is important and uses a variety of methods to retain moisture in its surface. Your skin retains water within its natural oils to help them maintain an ordered structure around each skin cell.

How to get the deepest tan?

6 Top Tanning Tips for a Darker and Long-lasting Tan
  1. Exfoliate your Skin prior to Tanning. ...
  2. Keep your Skin Hydrated and Moisturised. ...
  3. Apply a sunbed cream or tanning accelerator prior tanning.
  4. Remove any kind of makeup and other cosmetic products. ...
  5. Choose foods that accelerate tanning.

Do you tan better lying down?

Stand-up beds allow your body to tan all around without any pressure points, leading to a more even tan. Some people like them even better because the body isn't in direct contact with the bed. To achieve the best and most even tan, it's crucial to rotate between using lay-down and stand-up beds.

What to do with patchy fake tan?

How to fix patchy fake tan
  1. Gently buff away excess tan. Excess product often settles onto dry areas, like the elbows, knees, ankles, hands, and feet, causing an uneven, patchy tan. ...
  2. Exfoliate the skin. ...
  3. Fill in the gaps. ...
  4. Always use a tanning mitt. ...
  5. Opt for a gradual tan moisturiser.

Why don't my legs take to fake tan?

The skin on your legs has a different depth and texture than the rest of your body so it might not take as well to tanner. Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself that might explain why your calves won't tan: Is there any residue left on your calves from products like moisturiser, shaving foam or body oil?

What not to do after fake tanning?

AFTER THE TAN

Shower lightly in cold – lukewarm water for 45 seconds ONLY after your desired development time. Use plain water, don't use shower gels, scrubs, shampoos or loofah during the first 24 hours after your treatment. Pat your skin dry. Do not rub or scrub your skin.

Can you layer two different fake tans?

Double coats applied in this fashion also allow you to layer multiple products, for example creating a base tan with your first product choice and a top coat with your second product choice allows you to cross categories and get multiple product benefits in one double coat tanning application, such as using an ultra ...

Can you reapply fake tan the next day?

We generally recommend sticking to one self tanning product per application. If you do not find the colour to be as deep as you would like, you can always apply a second coat 30-60 minutes after initial application, or the following day.

How to stop fake tan going like tiger bread?

Avoid OILS on the skin!

Oil can break down the colour of self-tanner by loosening the dead skin cells that have been dyed brown by fake tan. When these dead skin cells start to crack and flake off, it can result in a patchy or uneven tan, often referred to as a "tiger bread" tan.

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