The Solution: For dark or orangey spray tans, put baby oil on the skin, let it set and then soak in a hot bath for a while. The oil and hot water will help to break down the tan. Once out of the bath, taking a shower and rubbing skin lightly with a loofah or exfoliating mitt is a good idea.
``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.
Use baking soda
Baking soda is an excellent exfoliator that won't leave your skin sore (patch test first!), is cheap to buy and is non-abrasive. Run a warm bath and add half a cup full of baking soda to the water. Hop in and soak for 15-20 minutes before gently exfoliating the skin with a loofah or exfoliating sponge.
``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.
Definitely because of oil production on your face. Your face is different to your body. You produce oils especially on your nose and around your cheeks. The tanning product isn't going to sit well on your face and is moving around. Therefore not actually working.
Spray tan on face is too dark
Most often, looking like you have too dark of a tan on your face is a result of literally using too much solution (remember: two ounces for the entire body, not just the neck up!) or being sprayed with a percentage that is too high for your skin type.
Girl, exfoliate like crazy tonight, focus on that face, and then hit up the lemon juice trick – it works wonders! Lemon juice mixed with a bit of sugar helps lighten up that tan fast. Just don't forget to moisturize afterward, or you'll end up looking like a dried-up raisin tomorrow!
If a dark tan is what you're looking for, we do recommend waiting a few hours before rinsing it off so that the product has longer to develop with your skin. Note: after rinsing, your skin will continue to deepen over the next 24 hours, so if your skin does not seem that dark, give it time!
Exfoliate with baby oil.
Baby oil is the most effective option for removing a fake tan from large areas of the skin. Olive oil or coconut oil will also work. Rub the oil into your skin, and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a loofah or washcloth to scrape away the color gently.
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.
Face washes containing salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide are NOT RECOMMENDED because they can eat away at your spray tan. Your face will fade faster as you wash it more frequently. We recommend using gentle cleansers - exfoliating face washes and Clarisonics are NOT RECOMMENDED!
“Lightly exfoliating over an area will also help, but the use of an exfoliating mitt will really allow you to lift the darker patches and be more precise.” “[Work] in flat circular motions to lift off darker color and reveal an even tan tone,” she advises.
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.
Use Dish Soap
Dish soap can not only cut through grime and grease but can also get rid of your spray tan.
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.
Optimal Time to Shower After a Fake Tan
Wait 4-8 hours before showering to let your tan fully develop, but avoid leaving it on for more than 24 hours.
Yes, it's possible to lighten a too-dark tan.
“What you always tell people not to do is take hot showers or be in any kind of jacuzzi because that will take your tan off faster,” Burdge added. “So if it's too dark, you're going to tell them to do the opposite you'd normally do.”
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.
To give the DHA enough time to fully set, it is recommended you wait a minimum of six hours after your spray tan. If you wait 24 hours you will see the optimal results. Showering sooner may diminish the intensity of the tan.
Try lemon juice: Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that can help to lighten fake tan stains on the skin. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice onto a cotton ball and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water.
“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.