Why is my natural tan going patchy?

Author: Haleigh Brown  |  Last update: Thursday, July 3, 2025

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.

How to fix patchy natural tan?

How to fix a patchy tan? Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Opt for a physical exfoliant like a tanning mitt or dry brush. Exfoliating scrubs are not a good option before self-tanning because they contain oils and waxes.

Why has my tan gone patchy?

Dry skin is possibly the most notorious enemy of a flawless tan. Hydrated skin helps the tanning product spread evenly, while dry skin will soak it up, causing darker patches. To avoid this, keep your skin moisturised regularly with Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion , applying especially in any areas prone to dryness.

Why is my natural tan so blotchy?

Blotchiness and uneven skin tone can be due to many factors including sun exposure and heredity. You may see red, white or dark patches on your skin. These blotchy patches of skin may become more visible when dead surface skin is not regularly exfoliated.

Why is my tan going away in patches?

YOU FORGOT TO MOISTURISE DAILY.

When your skin becomes too dry, the skin cells on the surface begin to flake off, taking your golden colour that sits within them away! This is where you may see your tan fade or become patchy over time.

How I got rid of my Tan ? - Dr.Manjot, MD Dermatologist

Why is my tan coming off in spots?

While patchy fake tans can partly be caused by a dodgy application, a lot of it comes down to prep. Or lack thereof. You should ALWAYS, we repeat, ALWAYS exfoliate before self-tanning. Firstly, to remove dry skin that will drink up the lion's share of DHA and get extra-bronzed.

How long does a natural tan last?

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.

Why does my tan have splotches?

Sometimes the white spots are merely scars that have become more visible after tanning. These areas of the skin have lost their pigmentation due to damage to the tissue. When tanning, the scars stand out from the darker skin around them.

How can I even out my natural tan?

7 Simple Tricks to Even Out Tan Lines
  1. Exfoliate and Scrub. You can simply scrub your skin and carefully exfoliate the parts where the tan lines are most visible. ...
  2. Use Lemon Juice and Honey Mixture. ...
  3. Use Quality Aloe Vera Gel. ...
  4. Coconut Oil. ...
  5. Quality Sunless Tanner. ...
  6. Baking Soda. ...
  7. Smart Use of Makeup.

Why does my skin tan unevenly?

Uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation? When you say uneven skin tone, it is generally understood as hyperpigmentation. A condition caused by a spike in melanin production, hyperpigmentation leads to the formation of flat, brown spots or patches that are relatively darker than your overall complexion.

What happens if I put tan over patchy tan?

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.

What is the best self-tanner?

After extensive testing, we determined the highest rated self-tanner to be the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It's an airy mousse that's easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural-looking glow. You can also customize the depth of color based on how long you leave it on your skin.

Why does my fake tan look like tiger bread?

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.

Why does my tan go patchy so fast?

Your gradual tan may go patchy if you let your skin dry out. The best gradual tanning results come from keeping your skin as hydrated as possible.

What is a farmer's tan?

farmer's tan (plural farmer's tans) (idiomatic) The tan line left by clothing, especially by a short-sleeved shirt.

Why do my tan lines never go away?

Tan lines occur when ultraviolet rays from the sun alter the pigment in the skin, causing it to darken. It's not easy to get rid of tan lines, and it doesn't happen overnight. However, some treatments can make a tan fade faster. Covering your skin from the sun's rays will also help make tan lines go away.

Why is my natural tan so patchy?

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.

How can I intensify my natural tan?

Make sure you drink water often to keep your whole body nourished and keep that tan glowing! It may sound like a gimmick, but there are actually certain foods that can help boost, and even enhance your tan. Eating carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe will give you a healthy dose of carotene.

Why do I still have a tan after 6 months?

Why won't my tan go away? When the cells become damaged with pigment, discoloration that doesn't fade occurs, leading to a tan that doesn't fade. In fact, it tends to stay dark unless you choose to have this hyperpigmentation treated professionally.

What does sun damaged skin look like?

Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines) and freckles. Loss of skin tone (decreased elasticity) Rough, uneven skin texture. Broken capillaries (spider veins), usually around the nose and chest.

Why am I suddenly getting dark patches on my skin?

Changes in skin pigmentation can occur for many reasons, such as birthmarks, pigmentation disorders, rashes, and infections. An increase in melanin, for example, can cause darker patches to appear. Skin contains melanin, which is the pigment that gives the skin its color.

Why does my skin not tan as well anymore?

Basically, everybody's skin reaches a cut-off point when their skin can't tan anymore. This is due to the fact it's physically unable to produce any more melanin, the pigment that makes our skin turn darker.

Can a natural tan be permanent?

Suntan does eventually fade as the new skin cells will generate over time but consistent sun damage for a period of time might lead to permanent skin darkening. Damage done by the sun can be permanent even though the tan fades.

What kind of tan lasts the longest?

when there's no such thing as too much of a good tan, you can now b. tan forever + ever (well up to 11 days anyways). while nothing may last forever, we've come pretty close with this ultra long lasting tan that lasts… and lasts… and lasts! scrap your weekly tanning routine and b.

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