Ways to Fix Self-Tan Screw-Ups

Whether you’re still learning how to spray tan or are a self-proclaimed tanning pro, no one is immune from making an occasional mistake. If your dream tan turns into a nightmare, don’t panic. Fake colour is created in the upper layers of your skin, so even the most stubborn spots can be smoothed over with a few simple self tanning tips. From erasing unnatural colour to fading dark spots, the problem-specific guide below tells you how to fix common tanning disasters with ordinary kitchen staples and easily accessible products.

Uniform Streaks

If your entire body is covered in ribbons of bronzer, chances are that you didn’t use enough formula to get full coverage. To avoid the problem in the future, practise how to spray tan with tanning mitts. Because they have a larger surface area than your hands, mitts help spread the product on evenly. In the meantime, tame your tiger stripes by lightly exfoliating your skin with organic sea salt or a grainy sugar scrub.

Unflattering Colour

Choosing the right shade is always a bit tricky, and going too dark is a mistake that we all make when we first start learning how to spray tan. For quick colour correction, grab a lemon or lemon juice and a pair of exfoliating gloves. Acids in lemon juice can instantly lighten your skin, but you’ll still need a glove with a good grip to take out any leftover pigment. If neither is on hand, add a few drops of baby oil to a warm bath to soften your skin and shed the top layer of your tan.

Isolated Patches

Patches happen when you miss spots or when your skin comes in contact with water before your colour is fully developed. Because you don’t want to ruin your otherwise perfectly good tan, spot treating is one of the best self tanning tips for blending problem areas. Whitening toothpaste and acetone can do wonders for evening out blotchy skin, or you can lift colour fast by rubbing it with a mix of lemon juice and baking soda.

Tanning Emergencies