Common reasons for patchy self-tanning include having products on the skin (perfume, deodorant, oil-based moisturizers, etc.) that can cause your tan to break down and fade unevenly.
Poor Application. One of the main reasons for a patchy tan is bad application, as rushing the process or using the wrong technique can leave you with uneven colour distribution. Remember, fake tanning requires a gentle touch and precision, so take your time to apply it evenly on the skin.
- 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.
Grab any exfoliator and simply scrub your skin and carefully exfoliate the parts where the uneven tan lines are a lot more prominent on your skin. The exfoliator can help speed up the process of lightening dark areas of your skin.
Excess tan often settles onto dry areas, like the elbows, knees, ankles, hands and feet, causing patchiness.
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.
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.
The blotchiness you see is often the bronzer that spray tan solutions contain. This bronzer is designed to give you an instant tan and help the technician see where they have applied the product. However, it can gather and appear blotchy as it dries.
Applying at night gives your self-tanner time to develop a natural tan look. Things like showering, rain, or tight clothes can mess up your tan when it's trying to settle. And some tanning products will also stain! As the self-tanner process can take up to eight hours, applying right before bed is super convenient.
When you apply self-tanner to unexfoliated skin, it can cling to patches of dead skin, resulting in a streaky and uneven tan. Exfoliating before tanning provides a smooth and clean canvas for the tanning product, ensuring that it goes on evenly and adheres to your skin properly.
After showering, use your Bondi Sands Exfoliation Mitt and gently buff your hands and feet in circular motions to exfoliate away any dry skin. This will stop your self tan sticking to any dry areas and causing patches - a clear giveaway that your natural glow is anything but natural!
EXFOLIATION. One of the best solutions for how to apply self tanner evenly is with some good old-fashioned exfoliation. Whether you're using a natural exfoliant like a brown sugar body scrub or you bought one designed specifically for evening out your tan, gently exfoliating your skin will have it glowing in no time.
Gently exfoliate your skin before getting a spray tan to create a smooth base. Once you have your tan, limit exfoliation to once or twice a week to encourage balanced fading. Use a soft washcloth or an exfoliating mitt for the best results. Moisturizing is your secret weapon.
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].
A bad spray tan can happen to even the most well-practiced faux tanner. Often, patchy results are due to one of three things: improper skin prep, the application technique, or how you care for your skin post-bronzing.
Most Spray Tan solutions contain bronzer, so this instantly gives the skin a tanned, bronze color before the actual Spray Tan ingredients develop on the skin. During your first shower, this bronze tone will wash off, so don't panic if your skin lightens, it is just the bronzer washing away.
You should choose a gradual self tanner if you prefer a more natural, buildable tan and want to control the intensity of your color over time. Gradual tanners are perfect for people who enjoy daily skincare routines and want a more subtle glow that doesn't appear all at once.
You'll be able to top up your tan with a fresh new layer once your existing tan shows signs of fading. We'd advise waiting until your colour has completely faded away before stepping back in the booth to ensure even coverage and to give your new tan the best chance to last as long as possible.
There are a few ways to remove fake tan quickly. One is to use a body scrub to exfoliate the skin. This will remove the top layer of skin that contains the fake tan. Another way is to use a body wash that contains salicylic acid or the oil method above.
As sweat is acidic, it can cause self tan to break down when left to sit on the skin.
Self Tanner
“Self-tanning lotions are a safe alternative to tanning beds and sun exposure, and they work by temporarily staining the outermost layer of the skin with a color additive called dihydroxyacetone (DHA),” notes Aimee Carr, an esthetician, makeup artist, and founder of Voodoo Makeup.