If you have specific
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.
It happens because your skin is too warm when you're applying the tanner. When your skin is warm, your pores are open. The same thing always happens to me. I now cool my skin down before I apply tanner. Helps to close your pores and has stopped this from happening for me!
Add a small amount of baking soda to a moistened washcloth, and rub across self tanning splotches. Not only will the baking soda bring a bleaching effect, but it also exfoliates the skin.
A patchy, streaky or dotty fake tan often means you've missed a 'prep step' in the run up to your treatment. Preparing your skin for your fake tan encourages an even, long-lasting glow so it's well worth examining your pre-tan routine to check where you might have gone wrong.
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.
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.
Once you have washed off your fake tan moisturise your skin daily to increase the longevity of your tan. Dry, dehydrated skin will cause your dead skin cells to shed quicker, taking the fake tan you worked so hard for with it. Use an oil-free moisturiser as oil can break down the product [2].
Hydrate Your Skin
Use a hydrating lotion daily to nourish and quench your skin. Our personal favorite is the Hemp Nation Tan Extender, which helps to lock in moisture and extend the life of your tan. Well-hydrated skin will hold onto the spray tan longer and allows the colour to fade more evenly.
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.
Add a layer of radiance
A single application can extend your colour for a few more days and balance out an uneven fade off. Once your special event is over, allow your tan to fade away in full and exfoliate your skin a day before your next spray tan. This creates the perfect base for a new application of tanner.
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.
Exfoliate darker areas
To lighten darker patches, exfoliate the affected areas regularly. You can also apply a tan remover or exfoliating product to speed up the fading process. Try the Clarins Tonic Sugar Polisher , which contains rosemary, making it gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin.
Exfoliate
Use exfoliating mitts, loofah, or washcloth and gently rub your skin in circular motions to loosen the tan and exfoliate. Remove dead skin cells and remaining self-tanning residue with Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub and apply Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion for maximum nourishment and hydration.
As sweat is acidic, it can cause self tan to break down when left to sit on the skin.
Your first course of action to even things out is to exfoliate any darker areas. Exfoliating with a mitt and gentle body scrub will help lift away those dead skin cells that have absorbed a touch too much colour. Additionally, ingredients like glycolic acid are fab at naturally fading your colour.
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.
- 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.
So, does the tan go away or not when you exfoliate the skin? Not only does it not go away, but it also makes it last longer and makes your skin look softer and more beautiful. Your tan has to do with melanin pigmentation and exfoliation does not affect this at all.
So if you want darker color: wash once and don't put on armpits. There will be a slight chance of staining though. To be 98% sure, wash twice, once each day before the wedding and don't do armpits. (I also noticed when I do my armpits, the mix of sweat and self tanner makes it smell).
Excess moisture can interfere with an even application, especially on the neck. Exfoliate Before Tanning: Gently exfoliate your neck to remove any dead skin cells. This helps the self-tanner adhere evenly and prevents any patchiness.
Tan often settles in areas where skin is dry so the rougher texture causes tan to look patchy.