Exfoliate (Peel) Your Skin to Prevent Dark Patches
If you wish to achieve a natural and even golden tan, you should first exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation consists off scrubbing and removing the outmost layer of dead skin cells, to reveal a smooth and even complexion. Dead cells may accumulate even more on certain parts of our body, such as knees, elbows, hands and feet.
If you don’t exfoliate these rougher and thicker areas well, self- tanner will stick to them, making them look much darker. This would lead to an uneven and blotchy skin tone. Without proper scrubbing of the skin, self-tanner will disappear quickly, because dead cells will detach and flake off, allowing the new ones to come through.
To get a perfect bronze tan, you must first of all peel away dead skin and cellular debris, and then apply lotion. That is one of the essential and fundamental tricks on how to apply self tanner. However, you should always pay attention to put a smaller amount of self-tanner on your knees, elbows, feet and hands.
Must-dos Before and After Applying Self-tanner
One of the most important tricks on how to apply self-tanner is to take a bath and clean the surface dirt before you apply the lotion. You would be in risk of getting blotchy and giraffe looking skin.
Plan to apply self-tanner in the evening, when you have time to stay at home. Once you’ve applied it, leave it for 3 to 4 hours for the skin to absorb it completely. You may put on a loose nightgown after 30 minutes. The best option would be to remain naked for at least 1 hour, or for the entire time required. The sunless tanners’ active ingredient is DHA (dihydroxyacetone) and it is activated by oxygen.
Applying the self-tanner in the morning or during the day, putting clothes on and exposing yourself to the sun will result in blotchy and uneven tone.
Do not touch water or do anything that will cause sweating for at least 4 hours. Take a shower the next evening.
How to Fade Darker and Thicker Streaks and Patches
If, however, you end up having a streaky or blotchy tan, there are a few tricks to fix it and lighten unsightly dark patches.
- Moisten a Q-tip with water and delicately wipe over darker spots. It will help them even out a little and blend more seamlessly with the rest of your skin.
- To have a happy tan, use a small amount of toothpaste and lightly rub over darker areas to exfoliate and even out the tan.
- Apply some lemon juice on a cotton pad and rub over dark patches and streaks. The citric acid contained in lemon will wipe off excessive tanning lotion.
- Mix baking soda and water into a paste and use a wet cloth to massage it over darker areas, until the streaks fade off.
- If patches are not excessively dark, you can also apply some facial cleansing lotion on a cotton pad and wipe it over affected areas, until they lighten and even out.
If you follow the tips and tricks mentioned above, on how to apply self-tanner, and how to fix application mistakes, you will certainly achieve that flawless and fabulous skin tone you’ve always desired!
Do you have any other tips on how to avoid streaks and patches and get a perfect bronze blow? Share it with us!
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