How to fix a patchy fake tan | Sienna X (2024)

Professional Tips & Advice

How to fix a patchy fake tan | Sienna X (1)5 Min ReadHow to fix a patchy fake tan | Sienna X (2)Friday 14th July 2023

When it comes to self tan, it’s very easy to quickly spot the difference between a well-applied tan and a patchy tan. A patchy tan is a nightmare for all of us looking to achieve that golden glow. The last thing you want is areas of patchy tan, as it can ruin your whole look!

Lucky for you, Sienna X self-tans are a breeze to apply and give a beautifully natural colour to suit every skin tone, not to mention being made of the highest quality products to reduce the risk of areas becoming patchy after being applied. But even the best of us can make a few mistakes and need to fix a patchy fake tan.

But never fear! We’ve got a few Sienna X Secrets to help your return to the glowing god or goddess of your dreams!

If you’ve over-splodged it with your favourite tanner, got a bit heavy-handed with the tan or are just struggling to achieve that even finish, here’s a guide on the best way to fix a patchy fake tan.

EXFOLIATE YOUR WOES AWAY

This is a bit of a home remedy, but trust us, it works! This will help to even out the tan spread over the area.

Use our Sienna X Eraser Mitt or an exfoliating glove to gently exfoliate the skin, focusing on areas where the fake tan is clinging. Use circular motions and moderate pressure to help remove the top layer of the skin. The NEW Sienna X Exfoliate Scrub is also a great way to naturally assist in removing aged fake tan. Enriched with ingredients such as Lime Pearl Caviar which is a natural exfoliant for a smoother and brighter complexion. Citric Acid also assists in gently exfoliating to renew the skin.

CLEANSE THE DAY AWAY

A trick you may not expect, but opting for a cleansing balm or cleansing lotion can do wonders to reduce areas of a darker colour! If a good cleanser isn’t already part of your existing skincare routine then you should certainly consider adding this extra step!

Just like with your skincare routine, opt to take a little time to cleanse the areas that you aren’t so keen on with a rich and creamy cleanser. Our new Skincare Collection has both the Cleansing Balm and Cleansing Lotion depending on your preferences. Both of these will make a great addition to your existing skincare routine. By using them to cleanse problem areas, you will also find that your tan will sit better and will minimise the risk of it becoming patchy.

This is also a fantastic trick for when your tan has almost faded away, and you want to eliminate any residual colour before a new application of tan. Simply use the cleanser to remove any last stubborn areas of old tan, leaving a fresh and clean base ready for a new application!

SWEAT IT OUT

If your tan has developed much more deeply than you’d planned, treat yourself to a trip to the steam room at the gym or your favourite day spa.

One thing we know is that steam rooms and saunas do not mix well with tan. They cause fake tan to fade much quicker than usual, often resulting in the tan starting to lighten the next day. If you’re looking to prolong the life of a tan, you should certainly avoid the spa. However, if you’re wanting to fix a patchy tan, they might actually be just what you need!

By jumping into a steam room or sauna, you’ll actually end up sweating off the intensity of the colour until you’re left with a milder finish that’s more natural to even up with gradual tanning options. This will help you to get rid of those patchy areas and will make it easier to touch up spots where the tan has built up unevenly.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH GRADUAL TANNERS

Our favourite trick to hide a blotchy tan is to apply the Sienna X Gradual Self Tan over our entire bodies. This award-winning product will moisturise your skin and will leave it with a natural and even tan after only a few hours!

Not only does it smell amazing, but the moisturising ingredients lend the skin a subtle glow which hides smaller colour mistakes by adding vibrancy and radiance to your complexion while looking natural and sunkissed. If you’ve struggled with areas of patchy tan in the past, you can kiss these goodbye with our Gradual Self Tan, as you can add as much or as little as you need to any areas to give you that perfect golden sheen.

A gentle lift of colour will also cover up any lighter areas, creating a seamless finish all over. No one will ever need to know your tan wasn’t flawless, to begin with!

For more advice and guidance, be sure to follow us on social media via our Instagram & Facebook pages.

How to fix a patchy fake tan | Sienna X (2024)

FAQs

How to fix a patchy fake tan | Sienna X? ›

Use a gentle exfoliating scrub: A gentle exfoliating scrub can help to remove fake tan from fingers. 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.

How to fix a splotchy fake tan? ›

How to fix patchy tan
  1. Gently buff away excess tan. Excess tan often settles onto dry areas, like the elbows, knees, ankles, hands and feet, causing patchiness. ...
  2. Exfoliate the skin. ...
  3. Fill in the gaps. ...
  4. Always use a tanning mitt. ...
  5. Opt for a gradual self tanner.
Mar 31, 2022

How do you get rid of old patchy fake tan? ›

Use a gentle exfoliating scrub: A gentle exfoliating scrub can help to remove fake tan from fingers. 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.

What happens if I put tan over patchy tan? ›

There's no reason why you can't apply sunless tanner over a suntan Рyou'll deepen your existing colour, creating a richer, layered hue that balances out an uneven complexion. But remember that this won't make your tan last any longer; it will simply make it darker.

How do you even out a patchy natural tan? ›

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.

What helps a splotchy spray tan? ›

But patchy tans can be fixable, too. And again, exfoliation is key. “Exfoliate it off as much as you can,” Bergin said, adding that you can always go back to the salon if the patchiness seems too drastic to fix on your own. One DIY solution, according to Burdge, is to make a scrub from lemon juice and sugar.

Why is my fake tan splotchy? ›

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.

How do you even out an old tan? ›

7 Simple Tricks to Even Out Tan Lines
  1. Exfoliate and Scrub. You can simply scrub your skin and carefully exfoliate the parts where the tan lines are most visible. ...
  2. Use Lemon Juice and Honey Mixture. ...
  3. Use Quality Aloe Vera Gel. ...
  4. Coconut Oil. ...
  5. Quality Sunless Tanner. ...
  6. Baking Soda. ...
  7. Smart Use of Makeup.
Aug 28, 2018

Can you reapply fake tan? ›

Once applied you can wash skin after just 1 hour, but for a deeper, longer lasting tan leave on for up to 8 hours. As it really is personal choice, you may need to test it out a few times before knowing what suits you best. And after washing off, you can always re-apply if you're after a deeper tan.

Can I put another layer of fake tan on the next day? ›

We generally recommend sticking to the one self tanning product per application. If you do not find the colour to be as dark as you would expect, you can always apply a second coat 30-60 minutes after initial application or the following day if the developed colour is not to your desired colour depth.

Can I fake tan over patchy fake 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.

Does layering fake tan make it darker? ›

Another way to make your tan darker is to apply two layers of self-tan or to top your tan up the day after the initial application.

Can you tan on top of patchy tan? ›

4 things that will prevent a patchy tan

Only apply once a week. Layering new tan on top of old tan will cause build up. Gently exfoliate on a regular basis.

How long does fake tan last before patchy? ›

Because fake tan clings to our dead skin cells and our skin naturally sheds, a fake tan typically lasts around 5-7 days. To keep your skin looking tantastic for as long as possible, it's crucial to keep skin hydrated.

How to remove a 10 year old tan? ›

I. Home Remedies
  1. Lemon juice and Honey. Lemon juice is considered an old and effective method to remove tan. ...
  2. Turmeric and Bengal Gram Face Pack. This is our Indian grandmothers' tip on how to remove tan from face and skin. ...
  3. Papaya and Honey. ...
  4. Potato Juice. ...
  5. Coconut Milk. ...
  6. Saffron and Milk. ...
  7. Oatmeal and Buttermilk.
Jan 20, 2022

How to remove old spray tan? ›

Exfoliate. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Exfoliating using small, circular motions can remove the top layer of your epidermis (dead skin cells), and it will help take your spray tan with it. Loofahs, washcloths, shower sponges or sugar scrubs will always do the trick!

How to get rid of fake tan dots on legs? ›

Using a baby oil treatment can tone down or completely remove self-tanner without harming your skin. Soak your skin in baby oil and leave it on for ten minutes. Then hop in the shower and gently scrub your skin with a loofah to remove the color.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanael Baumbach

Last Updated:

Views: 5826

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanael Baumbach

Birthday: 1998-12-02

Address: Apt. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436

Phone: +901025288581

Job: Internal IT Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating

Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.