Is there any residue left on your calves from products like moisturiser, shaving foam or body oil? All these cosmetic products act as a barrier to fake tan and can prevent the skin from 'grabbing' colour.
But now we're tanned and gorgeous, thanks to the guiding hand of dermatologist and author Dr. Doris J. Day. The legs are a very difficult part of they body to apply the self tanners to. This is because your legs have varying skin thickness levels and self tanners only penetrate through the upper layer of your skin.
Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan. Skin on the legs is thicker and harder and the UV light from the sun or sunbeds cannot easily penetrate it.
As the top layer of your skin flakes off or gets rubbed off, you lose that tan and it goes back to your normal skin tone. Some people won't pick up in those areas. because they're already sweaty in those areas. You have to make sure you exfoliate those areas super good, dry them off super, super good.
This happens because “Each of us produces a different quantity and quality of melanin. Melanin is a pigment produced by our cells found in the basal layer of the skin,” explains Dr Puig. The cells that produce melanin are called melanocytes.
The skin on most areas of your legs is thicker and harder than the rest of your body and ultraviolet (UV) rays can't easily penetrate it. The skin here is also dryer, resulting in quicker exfoliation of the outer layers. On top of that, dry skin deflects UV light, making the whole tanning process less effective.
Tips for Tanning Your Legs Outdoors in Natural UV Light:
Choose the right time of day: The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. To get the best tan on your legs, expose them to the sun during this time. However, be mindful of the risk of sunburn and avoid overexposure.
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.
Currently, no safe or proven method exists to increase melanin – the pigment, or color, in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. A person's genetics determine their natural melanin levels and skin color. In general, people who have darker skin tones have more melanin than those with lighter skin tones.
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.
The skin on your legs is thick so it's harder for the sun's rays to penetrate it. Also, if you're finding it difficult to tan your legs, then your legs may not produce as much melanin as the rest of your body, so it may be difficult to ever get them as dark as other parts of your body.
To keep the drier areas from going patchy, make sure you moisturise all over and pay extra special attention to these troublesome areas. Try to leave the moisturiser to sink in for at least half an hour before you start the application stage of your fake tan routine.
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.
Exfoliate: Before tanning, exfoliate your legs to remove dead skin cells. This helps your skin absorb sunlight more effectively. Use Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. This prevents sunburn and promotes a safer, more gradual tan.
Is 30 minutes a day enough to tan? It depends on your skin type. Those with fair skin likely need a bit longer, while people with darker skin may only require 15-20 minutes daily. Start slow and gently build UV skin tolerance over multiple sessions for the best color development.
The glow provided by a tan can make a face look more vibrant and therefore youthful. A tan can also help make muscles look more toned and more well defined. Today, having a tan is associated with people that have an active, outdoor lifestyle. A tan therefore makes people look healthier and fit.
Spray tanning with hairy legs is absolutely your personal choice. However, bear in mind, excessive hair can hinder an even tan. It's recommended to remove unwanted body hair before the session for better results.
Dark tone is at the other end of the spectrum and is characterised by its rich, deep appearance due to higher amounts of melanin. People with darker skin tones rarely burn but tan very easily when exposed to more prolonged sun exposure.
"DHA has been shown to cause an increase in free radicals in the skin," says Chere Lucas Anthony, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Fla. "This can contribute to skin aging as the free radicals break down collagen and elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkling and skin aging."