How to fix a really bad spray tan?

Author: Ernestine Zemlak  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

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.

How do you fix a bad 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.

How to get rid of a bad fake tan?

Raw oils like coconut, olive, or sunflower will work in a pinch, but be sure to pick up baby oil if you want the best results. When it's time to remove your self-tanner, simply slather your skin with the baby oil and leave it on for a few minutes. Then rinse it off in the shower using a loofah or washcloth.

What is the fastest way to remove a spray tan?

Try using lemon and sugar to create a DIY tan removing scrub, or combine lemon or lime juice with baking soda for a fast-acting fake tan remover. Rub onto your body with a warm washer, then rinse thoroughly. Another winning kitchen combo? Olive oil and sugar.

How can I make my spray tan fade faster?

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 A BAD SELF TAN | TIPS AND TRICKS BY A PRO SPRAY TAN ARTIST

What to do if self-tanner is too dark?

Cover your body in coconut oil or olive oil and let it soak in for around 15 minutes. Then take a hot shower. If you have a bath, even better! During your soak, use a gentle but effective exfoliating mitt or product to scrub away those unwanted layers of tan.

How can I speed up my tan fading?

Is it possible to get rid of a tan? Sorry, but no. The tan is due to an increase in melanin, which is basically a defensive reaction from your skin being damaged by the sun. It will slowly fade if your skin is exposed to low enough levels of UV rays (e.g., in winter), but there is no way to speed this.

How to remove fake tan quickly?

Fake Tan Removal Hacks
  1. Go for a swim and steam. Even if you haven't made a mess of your fake tan, a swim and a steam is always a good idea. ...
  2. Exfoliate gently and shave. As tempting as it may be to scrub your skin furiously after a fake-tan disaster, DON'T. ...
  3. Reach for a lemon. ...
  4. Use toothpaste. ...
  5. Soak in bath oils.

What lightens spray tan?

Using body scrub to exfoliate your skin can help to scrub away the tanner. Exfoliation can help to even out an uneven tan, and lighten a too-dark tan. Lemon juice is a great method for removing self-tanner.

How many days does it take for a spray tan to fade?

Spray tans generally last for 7-10 days, depending on the coverage you requested; if you wanted a lighter color, your tan could fade more quickly.

How to fix a really bad tan?

Yes, baking soda is highly effective when it comes to toning down your tan. Put some baking soda in a glass of water and stir until you make a paste-like mixture. Apply the paste on tanned areas of your skin and remove after 15 minutes. After just a couple of days, your tan lines should be barely visible.

How can I lighten my fake tan without removing it?

Use an exfoliator mixed with a touch of olive oil to gently remove the dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin and in turn lighten the fake tan. Avoid using a harsh exfoliator because it might take your tan off in patches.

How to fix spray tan hands?

For this method, use two tablespoons of baking soda and just a few tablespoons of water. You want this concoction to look like a paste. Apply the mixture to the streaky, or overly tanned areas of your hands. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off.

How do you fix 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.

What does a bad spray tan look like?

A strange and unnatural color: The point of a spray tan is to look like you've been kissed gently by the sun, and if your skin has taken on a dark or orange color all over, something has gone horribly wrong.

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.

How can I lighten my spray tan?

Hop in the shower and use an exfoliating mitt to help lighten those too-dark patches. While regular exfoliating (like with a scrub) can also help fade your tan, Evans recommends using a mitt in small, circular motions for added precision.

What takes spray tan off immediately?

How do you get spray tan off fast? The only way to remove a spray tan is to scrub it off. A good exfoliant, an intense sweat session or self-tan remover can help speed up the process.

How can I lighten my tan overnight?

Aloe vera

Aloe vera gel is well-known for its therapeutic qualities and ability to lighten tans. Before bed, apply the plant's fresh aloe vera gel to your skin. Apply it overnight, then remove it with a morning wash. Regular use can reduce tan significantly.

How to remove a bad spray tan?

Mix Baby Oil and Baking Soda

This mixture is a good option if lemon juice irritates your skin. The oil will soften your skin and break down the DHA in the spray tan. Scrub the mixture over your body and watch the color begin to fade.

Does Dawn dish soap remove fake tan?

Apply Dish Soap

Arnold shares that she specifically likes to use it on more stubborn areas, like the palms and bottoms of the feet, to remove self-tanner easily. "Dawn dish soap (especially the DAWN Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray) with a pumice stone works amazing,” Arnold says.

What fades fake tan fast?

Soak in oil and buff with an exfoliating mitt

Oils, on the other hand, break down DHA and can fade fake tan faster. It does, so lather up or soak yourself in oil. You can also use coconut or olive oil, which should be left on the skin for 10 minutes before washing off.

Which soap removes tan?

When looking for the best soap for tan removal, you should opt for a formulation <br />of skin-brightening agents such as Vitamin C, Turmeric, Saffron, Coffee, etc. It is best to choose a toxin-free soap with the above properties. For example, you may try Mamaearth Ubtan Soap.

Can you make a tan go away?

There are skin-lightening products you can use to make a tan go away quicker. Look for creams with glycolic acid, a chemical that breaks down the color of a tan. Lemon juice can be used as a natural removal treatment as well.

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