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.
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.
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.
To remove sun tans and lighten skin, use exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), apply topical antioxidants like vitamin C, and use hydrating masks. Sunscreen is crucial to prevent further tanning. Natural remedies like aloe vera and cucumber can also help soothe and lighten tanned skin.
Using body products with either vitamin C or coconut oil (or both!) are good products to apply onto the skin. All types of natural oils are extremely healthy for your skin. Simply take some coconut oil (mixing other natural oils is okay as well), apply it on the uneven tanned areas, and leave it on overnight.
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.
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.
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.
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. It's really important to keep hydrating the skin daily with a rich moisturiser.
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.
One of the biggest causes of a streaky tan is due to rinsing off the tan incorrectly after development. First and foremost, you should only rinse in a lukewarm, 45-second shower with no lotions, gels or soaps as a long, hot shower with all of your favourite body washes will simply strip the tan.
White armpits are a common self-tanning problem. To avoid those unsightly white patches, start by shaving your underarms a day before applying self-tanner to allow your skin to heal.
If you have specific tan lines or if you are looking for how to fix a patchy tan of uneven color, make sure you exfoliate those areas but refrain from the rest of your tan. This will help even everything out and make it look natural. Be sure to use a gentle exfoliant or exfoliating mitt for optimal results.
Treating blotchy skin involves identifying the underlying cause, whether it's environmental, related to skin conditions, or exacerbated by lifestyle factors. Implementing a gentle skincare routine, protecting the skin from sun damage, and consulting a healthcare provider for persistent issues are effective strategies.
Can sun damage be reversed? Once UV radiation changes your skin cells' DNA, the DNA damage can't be reversed. However, this doesn't mean that you can't change the appearance of your skin. You can treat, reduce and/or repair the effects of sun-damaged skin.
The rash appears in people who have developed sensitivity to sunlight, especially ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or other sources, such as tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. It leads to immune system activity that causes a rash.
Indoor tanning speeds up skin aging
Indoor tanning is known to cause wrinkles, brown spots and thick leathery skin. Indoor tanning ages your skin 3 times faster than sunlight: indoor tanning can emit up to 15 times more UV radiation than sunlight.
Uneven pigmentation
That extra melanin is what creates a suntan. But sometimes skin doesn't make melanin evenly. As a result, the skin's coloring, called pigmentation, looks patchy. The sun also can cause small blood vessels to stretch, giving skin a blotchy look.
Look into a mirror in natural light. Artificial lighting can alter the appearance of your natural skin colour. Notice the colour of the skin along your jawline or behind your ear. These areas typically tend to show your skin tone in its purest form, without any redness or discolouration that could get in the way.
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. Typically, you'll want to cleanse and exfoliate your skin before applying self-tanner or getting a spray tan. You'll also want to moisturize prior to application.
We want your tan to be 20/10 and unfortunately if moisturiser is applied it can leave blotches, marks and strip the tan in certain spots on the skin. Once you've washed off the colour guide and waited at least 8 hours, you can apply your favourite moisturiser to your entire body.
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.