Jump in a warm bath and fill it with baby oil! Oils help break down the tanning agent DHA – making it one of the best methods if you're wondering how to remove fake tan. To supercharge your soak, rub baby oil into your skin and let it sit for 30-60 minutes before bathing and exfoliating.
Baby Oil
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.
Lemon Juice – The acidity within lemons works wonders for lightening fake tan. Apply lemon juice to the affected areas, or add slices of lemon to your bath water and soak away. It can be helpful to rub lemon on your hands if you have those all-too-common orange palms.
``If you do get too dark, slather on coconut oil or baby oil and sit for 10 minutes then jump in the shower and exfoliate,'' Hilliard tells me. ``Oil lifts the top layer of color and makes skin easier to exfoliate so it will lighten your tan. You can also soak in a baking soda bath.
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.
Understanding Self-Tanner Durability
Before we dive into tips on how to extend your sunless tan, you're probably wondering, “Just how long does a fake tan last?” On average, your skin retains self tanner for 5-7 days, but this period of longevity can vary based on many factors.
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.
Yep! Oil in all its forms — think baby oil, coconut oil and olive oil — loosens dead skin cells, which can help break down tan build-up. Grab the oil and apply a generous amount to your palms before massaging it into the skin. Let it soak for at least half an hour (the longer you keep it on, the better).
The quickest steps are the basic (olive, coconut or baby) oil, soak in the tub, then use an exfoliating body mitt and body scrub or the specialist products designed to remove fake tan efficiently.
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.
It's best to use baby oil on larger areas such as arms or legs. You can also apply baby oil with a damp cloth and rub it gently, but ensure you wash it off immediately after use. Rubbing Alcohol can remove spray tans and self-tanners from your skin. Apply to rub Alcohol to a cotton ball, then rub it onto your skin.
Shaving after a spray tan can remove some of the tan, leading to uneven or patchy results. Waiting 8-12 hours after the session and using gentle shaving techniques is important to maintain the tan.
Neglecting the aftercare
Another self-tanning mistake is taking your faux glow for granted. To ensure an even, natural-looking fade, repeat after us – hydration, hydration, hydration. This means smothering your skin in moisturiser each time you shower (or twice a day if you're super keen).
If your tan feels too dark the following day, try having three hot showers to help bring it down to a more natural colour.”
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.
Although steaming your face and body is excellent for cleansing your skin, opening up your pores and removing blackheads, it can also make your tan fade a little quicker. This is because treating yourself to a steam actually encourages your older skin layers to flake away to reveal fresh, smooth skin.
A natural tan will usually last for around 7-10 days, although this can vary for each different skin type and colour. However, any exposure to sun during that 7-10 day period could mean that your tan will hang around for longer, so the length of time it lasts really does depend on the individual.
Q1: How do you get rid of fake tan quickly? To get rid of fake tan quickly, try soaking in a warm bath with baby oil, followed by exfoliating with an exfoliating mitt. You can also use DIY methods such as applying a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to tough areas.
Pat yourself dry instead of rubbing - Self-explanatory but try not to rub your body with a towel after your spray tan. Moisturize - After your shower, moisturize with an oil-free moisturizer. If your skin is hydrated, your tan will fade more evenly. Avoid swimming, long showers, baths, steam rooms, and saunas.
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. You can also try a DIY tan removing solution. Mix lemon juice with baby oil or a little baking soda. Apply the mixture to skin and leave it to work for around five minutes.
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.