What to do when spray tan is too dark on hands?

Author: Tyrel Batz  |  Last update: Friday, January 9, 2026

Mix one teaspoon of baking powder with half a teaspoon of water, and two teaspoons of lemon juice until a paste starts to form. Tanning pros advise that you leave it on for three minutes before removing. A little birdy has told us that toothpaste can also be of use if you're trying to make your hands look lighter.

How to fix spray tan too dark on hands?

An easy and inexpensive way to get spray tan or any sunless tan off your hands is with baking soda. Just wet hands and rub with a scoop of baking soda and washcloth under warm running water. Repeat until the ``tan'' has faded.

How to lighten fake tan on hands?

Use a gentle exfoliating scrub: A gentle exfoliating scrub can help to remove fake tan from your fingers. 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.

How do you fix a spray tan that is too dark?

``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.

How to keep hands from turning orange with spray tan?

Here's how:

Carefully pat dry your hands and re-apply plain lotion. For spray tan, you take a baby wipe and rub the wipe between your palms and then dab around the edges of the wrist and tops of hands. Then when you get home you can wash your hands like above.

Spray Tan - Orange Hands Fix

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 do you fade a spray tan fast?

If you want to expedite the process of removing your tan, try the following recipe:
  1. Mix lemon juice and baking soda until it forms a coarse paste.
  2. In the shower, scrub this paste onto your skin.
  3. Rinse off immediately and continue to shower as normal.

Can I fix a bad spray tan?

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.

Can you lighten a spray tan?

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.”

How do you get rid of dark tan on your hands?

To remove sun tan from your hands, you can dip your hands in a warm bowl of honey and lemon juice for 20 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly and apply a nourishing body or face moisturizer afterward. Cucumber has a cooling and soothing effect on sun-damaged skin.

Does Dawn dish soap remove self-tanner?

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.

How can I lighten my fake tan fast?

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.

How can I lighten my hands after fake tan?

Lemon juice works as a natural bleaching agent because of the citric acid. To fade your tan using lemon juice, mix it with some warm water. Soak a small cloth inside the mixture and begin to scrub your hands, ensuring that you get into the creases of your palms.

Does Windex get rid of fake tan?

"Windex actually strips the outer layer of the skin, removing a portion of the spray tan (and the skin)." Among the ingredients in a bottle of Windex are solvents not intended for use on skin, fragrance, and blue dye, all of which can cause irritation when applied directly to the skin.

How to remove bad fake tan hands?

Mix one teaspoon of baking powder with half a teaspoon of water, and two teaspoons of lemon juice until a paste starts to form. Tanning pros advise that you leave it on for three minutes before removing. A little birdy has told us that toothpaste can also be of use if you're trying to make your hands look lighter.

What do I do if my spray tan is too dark?

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.

How do you fix your hands after a spray tan?

Lemon juice contains citric acid and Vitamin C, which aids in lightening the skin and removing excess spray tan color. You can use it directly on your hands or feet or combine with baking soda to create a mild exfoliant aimed at cutting through patchy color.

How do you remove spray tan mistakes?

“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 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.

Will my spray tan fade in 2 days?

How Long Does It Last? Because your skin is constantly creating new skin cells on the epidermis level, any skin treatment will fade over time. 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 can I make my tan fade faster?

Exfoliation is the best way to remove tan at home. It removes pigmented dead skin cells and promotes new ones, reducing the appearance of the tan.

What takes spray tan off immediately?

To get rid of fake tan quickly, try soaking in a warm bath with baby oil, followed by exfoliating with an exfoliating mitt.

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 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.

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