How to even out a blotchy spray tan?

Author: Lucinda Swaniawski  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 8, 2025

If you have specific tan lines or if you are looking for how to fix a patchy tan of uneven color, make sure you exfoliate those areas but refrain from the rest of your tan. This will help even everything out and make it look natural. Be sure to use a gentle exfoliant or exfoliating mitt for optimal results.

How to fix a splotchy spray tan?

I would definitely try to blend it out a bit. You can use a tanning mitt (or rubber gloves or even socks if you don't have one) and try to blend it in a bit better. If you have good moisturizing/hydrating lotion, try spreading a tiny tiny bit around lightly in the area where the splatters are and blending the tan in.

Is it normal for a spray tan to look blotchy right after?

Yes that's normal. You look ridiculous right after the spray tan and it gets even darker like an hour later. You're supposed to let it set for a few hours before showering. Once you shower, you come out looking a normal color that's more even.

How do you make a spray tan fade evenly?

Exfoliate for an even fade

It might seem counter-intuitive, but using an exfoliator can help your spray tan last longer. By gently exfoliating away dead skin cells, it prevents your tan from looking patchy and helps it to fade evenly. We recommend using our Tan Enhancing Body Polish and Exfoliator every 3 days.

How do you get spray tan off evenly?

“Mix lemon juice with a little baking soda or baby oil. Saturate the skin with the mixture, then let it sit for about five minutes before removing with a cleansing wipe—this will erase the tan entirely,” she says. Her other favorite method: “A hair removal cream like Veet.

SPRAY TAN MISTAKES AND HOW TO FIX THEM | SPRAY TAN TECHNICIAN TIPS

How do you fade an uneven tan?

Using body products with either vitamin C or coconut oil (or both!) are good products to apply onto the skin. All types of natural oils are extremely healthy for your skin. 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.

Do professional spray tans go patchy?

A bad spray tan can happen to even the most well-practiced faux tanner. Often, patchy results are due to one of three things: improper skin prep, the application technique, or how you care for your skin post-bronzing.

Is it normal to look speckled after spray tan?

With diminished air flow, the spray tan solution will not spray properly, potentially resulting in all sorts of problems like speckling, dripping, spotting, uneven fading, and it can even cause the tan to not develop at all!

How to fix smudged spray tan?

Pro Tip: if the area has already started to dry to the point where the solution isn't blending with just a brush, spray your brush with a little bit of prep spray or spray tan solution and then go back to the area that's smudged and blend, blend, blend!

How to remove blotchy self-tanner?

7 Ways to Remove Self-Tanner
  1. Exfoliate with baby oil. ...
  2. Apply a sugar scrub. ...
  3. Try hair removal cream. ...
  4. Try lemon juice and baking soda. ...
  5. Use self-tan removal products. ...
  6. Use vinegar sparingly. ...
  7. Use whitening toothpaste for small areas.

Do spray tans fade unevenly?

Understand Why Spray Tans Fade Unevenly

However, uneven fading can occur for several reasons, including: Dry Skin: Dry patches or areas of rough skin (like elbows, knees, and ankles) can absorb more of the spray tan, causing those areas to darken faster than the rest of your skin.

How do you spread fake tan evenly?

For a flawless, streak-free tan and stain-free hands, always apply fake tan with an Applicator Mitt. It will help to evenly distribute and blend your tan, ensuring a flawless finish every time. Our Dual Sided Velvet Luxe Applicator Mitt will do the trick nicely!

How to blend patchy fake tan?

- Lemon juice can help to dissolve uneven patches of self-tan on small areas, such as your ankles, wrists and palms. - Mixing lemon juice with a tablespoon of sugar or bicarbonate of soda will gently exfoliate the area which will further help to pull out any excess tan.

What to do if you mess up your spray tan?

The Solution: If a tan is patchy all over, pro spray tan therapists recommended trying to remove the whole spray tan and starting over. Oil, heat and steam are all spray tan enemies so using body oils, sitting in a steam room or having a hot bath should help.

Why is my natural tan so patchy?

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.

How to fade a spray tan evenly?

Getting rid of an old spray tan If you're trying to get rid of an old spray tan, the best tip is to sit in a hot bath with coconut oil added to it. Ensure this is at least a day prior to a fresh spray tan as the oil will disagree with your new tan. After about twenty minutes of soaking, rub off with an abrasive cloth.

How to fix missed spots from spray 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 does my fake tan look spotty?

One of the main reasons for a patchy tan is bad application, as rushing the process or using the wrong technique can leave you with uneven colour distribution. Remember, fake tanning requires a gentle touch and precision, so take your time to apply it evenly on the skin.

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.

Can I put fake tan over patchy 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 to not look orange after a spray tan?

If you encounter streaks, patches, or an orange hue, there are ways to correct these issues. Gentle exfoliation and applying a tan corrector can help even out an uneven tan.

What to do if your spray tan is uneven?

BAKING SODA AND LEMON. If you're wondering what to do when a fake tan goes patchy, one natural remedy to evening out tan lines can be found right in your kitchen. This simple trick involves combining lemon juice and baking soda until it makes a paste. Then, rub the paste on your tan, and let it sit for a few minutes.

How to fix patchy tan without taking it off?

Exfoliate the skin

Another way to fix patchy tan is with an exfoliator, as gently scrubbing the skin will tone down the color. 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.

How long does it take for an uneven tan to fade?

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.

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