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.
Yes, your leading cause of spot tanning is dry skin. I suggest exfoliating often like 3 times a week at least and use heavy cream at night like cold cream so you wake up with nice supple skin.
Yes, of course! Tan does get removed naturally from the skin, but it takes time if you need to do something about it. However, using homemade face packs can escalate things too.
What causes a patchy fake tan? 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.
Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color. The involved patches of skin become lighter or white.
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. When you wake up in the morning, simply wash your skin. Repeat the process each day, and your tan lines should be barely visible after a while.
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].
- 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.
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.
Make Sure Skin Is Completely Dry
Most experts recommend showering before applying self-tanner as this is the best way to ensure skin is clean and free of any oils or products that could interfere. But it's important not to rush into tanning straight away.
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.
If your gradual tan is patchy in more places than not, it might be time to start afresh. Set aside a few minutes before you hop into the shower and lather your body in coconut or baby oil. After five minutes, grab an exfoliating glove and gently scrub away at your patchy tan.
Not Using Moisturiser Regularly
This means you need to apply moisturizer on a daily basis in order to keep your skin supple and hydrated. Not doing this can actually cause your skin to start to replace the tanned cells very quickly. The result will be a tan that fades much faster than normal.
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.
Utilising gentle exfoliating scrubs or tools, such as exfoliating gloves, helps buff away impurities without causing irritation or abrasion. To encourage the gradual tan to set in the skin, avoid exfoliating your skin immediately after applying the gradual tan and in the days that follow.
A patchy, streaky or dotty fake tan often means you've missed a 'prep step' in the run up to your treatment. Preparing your skin for your fake tan encourages an even, long-lasting glow so it's well worth examining your pre-tan routine to check where you might have gone wrong.
AFTER THE TAN
Shower lightly in cold – lukewarm water for 45 seconds ONLY after your desired development time. Use plain water, don't use shower gels, scrubs, shampoos or loofah during the first 24 hours after your treatment. Pat your skin dry. Do not rub or scrub your skin.
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.
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.
Tan often settles in areas where skin is dry so the rougher texture causes tan to look patchy. Use a scrub or exfoliating glove to buff dry and rough areas. When you apply your tan, always use a tanning mitt for the smoothest application and a seamless blend.
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.
In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin. This causes white patches to develop on your skin or hair.