Want to even out
Yes, suntans eventually fade away over time. A suntan occurs when your skin produces more melanin in response to UV exposure, which darkens the skin. As your skin naturally exfoliates and regenerates, the tanned skin cells are replaced by new, untanned cells.
A tan from being outside will last an average of 7–10 days. The sun's UV rays stimulate melanin production in the cells of the outer skin layer, so once these cells are shed, you are left with your original skin tone.
At first, limit your bare skin exposure. Try 10-20 minutes, then get out of the sun. Do this by putting on clothing (long sleeves/pants/sun hat) or getting in some shade. Do this every few days (depending on your skin) until you start to build a tan. Then you can slowly increase the amount of time you spend in the sun.
Moisturize: Hydrating your skin is crucial for an even tan because dry skin can reflect UV rays, leading to uneven coloration. So, after your exfoliation session, make sure to slather on a good moisturizer.
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.
Why won't my tan go away? When the cells become damaged with pigment, discoloration that doesn't fade occurs, leading to a tan that doesn't fade. In fact, it tends to stay dark unless you choose to have this hyperpigmentation treated professionally.
Sun Exposure Tan: A typical tan from sun exposure may last 2-4 weeks. The tan gradually fades as the skin sheds dead cells and new, untanned skin cells replace the tanned layers. Spray Tans or Tanning Lotions: These artificial tans usually fade within a week, depending on how often you wash and exfoliate.
For quick sun tan removal, exfoliate with a scrub or alpha hydroxy acid to shed pigmented surface cells and apply natural lightening agents. For more immediate results, consider professional treatments that can remove the top layers of tanned skin.
Generally, with consistent and safe sun exposure, you can start seeing results within a few hours to days. For those leaning towards sunbeds, you might notice a difference after 2-3 sessions if starting from a light base, or 3-5 sessions for a deeper tan.
Over-the-counter products such as retinol, vitamin C creams, and niacinamide may improve an uneven skin tone. Other treatments include laser therapy and microdermabrasion. Although most cases of uneven skin tone do not indicate a medical concern, some people may wish to correct it for cosmetic reasons.
Irregular or patchy discoloration of the skin can be caused by: Changes in melanin, a substance produced in the skin cells that gives skin its color. Growth of bacteria or other organisms on the skin. Blood vessel (vascular) changes.
farmer's tan (plural farmer's tans) (idiomatic) The tan line left by clothing, especially by a short-sleeved shirt.
Unfortunately, a natural tan doesn't last forever and will eventually fade away. Many of us spend our holidays admiring our glorious tans, but they can all too quickly disappear once you step off the plane back home.
"DHA has been shown to cause an increase in free radicals in the skin," says Chere Lucas Anthony, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Fla. "This can contribute to skin aging as the free radicals break down collagen and elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkling and skin aging."
Exfoliate the skin
Another way to fix patchy fake tan is with an exfoliator, as gently scrubbing the skin will tone down the colour. Massage our Tan Enhancing Body Polish and Exfoliator onto the streaky areas until the pigment has faded. Top Tip: The key to an even-looking tan is smooth skin.
Add colour where you're paler
An alternative approach is to top up your tan on any areas that seem to have been missed in your initial application. To tan these smaller areas, grab your tanning foam and a kabuki brush.
One of the biggest causes of a streaky tan is due to rinsing off the tan incorrectly after development. First and foremost, you should only rinse in a lukewarm, 45-second shower with no lotions, gels or soaps as a long, hot shower with all of your favourite body washes will simply strip the tan.
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.
Papaya: Like carrots, orange fruits and vegetables, such as papaya, help to enhance your tan naturally thanks to its high beta-carotene levels. Melon: This refreshing fruit, rich in antioxidants and beta-carotenes will help you to keep your golden skin tone.