There are few things that make you feel better than a good tan.
With a little extra glow, you’re more confident. You can’t help but feel like your clothes look better and your teeth seem a little whiter. You justlook healthier.
But there’s a flip side. A good tan can do wonders for your vibe, but a bad tan? A bad tan can seriously bring down your mood and make you feel crummy —especially if you’ve paid for it. If you’re going to trust experts (or even a really great drugstore product) to give you that pretty glow, they better not let you down!
There are a few telltale signs that a tan has gone wrong. Keep scrolling to read more about them. If you experience any of these yourself, it may be time to change your tanning approach. Don’t forget that you’re always welcome at OBB! And if you spot any of these signs on a friend, co-worker, or acquaintance — or, hey, even a stranger on the mean streets of Lake Oswego — you may want to be a little kinder than usual. It’s a rough time for them.
A strange and unnatural color:The point of a spray tan is to look like you’ve been kissed gently by the sun, and if your skin has taken on a dark or orange color all over, something has gone horribly wrong. Generally speaking, a good spray tan shouldnot look like a thick layer of color.
Splotchiness:A tanning expert will know how to make sure that your glow is equal from head to toe. If your skin is blotchy, it probably means that tanning formula has collected in certain areas more than others. This happens most frequently on hands, feet, elbows, and knees, and is a sign of a job done not-so-well.
Green armpits:One of the most basic rules of spray tanning and self tanning is that deodorant is a big, fat no. Tanning formula can react with deodorant, leaving an extremelynot cute tint behind. If you’re treating yourself to a salon spray tan, the pros there should remind you to skip the deodorant… and if they don’t, you should find yourself some new pros (like us!).
Creasing:When tanning formula isn’t properly and evenly applied, it can gather in your body’s creases — we’ve all got ’em, people! — resulting in dark lines where they don’t belong. This is an amateur move.
Mismatched face and body:We’ve already covered general splotchiness and creasing, but this red flag deserves a special shoutout, because if you leave a spray tan with a face and body that are two different colors, it’s going to be impossible for others to ignore!
Bright red burn:You can get a bad tan from the sun, too… if you let it go a little too far, that is. A sunburn isnot— we repeatnot —a sign of healthy outside time. If you’re going to be outdoors, protect your pretty skin!
Do you have any nightmare tanning stories? We want all the dirt! Tell us onFacebook+Twitter!
Featured image: Yoann Boyer/Unsplash; Tanning image: Garett Mizunaka/Unsplash
FAQs
If your skin is blotchy, it probably means that tanning formula has collected in certain areas more than others. This happens most frequently on hands, feet, elbows, and knees, and is a sign of a job done not-so-well.
How do you know if tanning solution is bad? ›
But if your new fresh product is normally a warm rich brown, and now looks like a very cool, army green brown, this usually indicates a damaged product. If your solution is clear, with no added brown tint, this color tint indicator will not apply. Product with green bronzer tones, can be sprayed on the skin.
Does a bronze spray tan get darker? ›
As colour will continue to develop for approximately 8 hours, the longer the tan is left on the skin prior to bathing, the darker the result will be.
How long does bronze tan last? ›
Your spray tan can typically last for 7 to 10 days and possibly even longer if you take the necessary steps to maintain it. However, if you're relying on that healthy bronze complexion for an upcoming event, it's always best to play it on the safe side and assume that your tan will last about a week.
How long does it take for a bad tan to go away? ›
No tan is permanent. It will generally last 7 to 10 days before your skin starts to naturally exfoliate and regenerate. If you exfoliate your body before tanning, use a tan extender, and keep skin moisturized your tan may last longer.
Will my tan still work if it's green? ›
The only thing turning green is the bronzer, which is a temporary colour, but we don't recommend using if its green. Our tanning products do expire, like many other products. Although they are non-toxic, when they reach their expiration date, they are not as effective.
How long does a bronze tan take to develop? ›
Self-Tanning Water Mousse for Gradual, Natural-Looking Tan
Color develops gradually over 4-8 hours.
Does a natural tan get darker overnight? ›
Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.
What's better clear or bronze spray tan? ›
Think about your skin tone
If you have a darker complexion and want more immediate results, clear spray tans can provide an instant boost of color that complements your skin tone. The bronze solution is perfect for sunless spray tanning.
Why does my tan look splotchy? ›
Tan often settles in areas where skin is dry so the rougher texture causes tan to look patchy.
These melanocyte cells generate melanin, which is what causes your skin to tan in the sun. Unfortunately, sometimes the sun causes the melanocytes to increase unevenly, which can then result in darker and lighter patches of skin.
Why has my sun tan gone blotchy? ›
Uneven pigmentation
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.
What happens if you use expired tanning water? ›
When DHA (main ingredient that tans the skin) has expired it gradually loses pigment when reacting with the skin and colour will become lighter and lighter. There are other chemicals in the tanning product that preserve and maintain the shelf life but eventually wears out.
What happens if you use expired self tanner? ›
Not only might the colour 'turn' and you come out looking funny, but you could irritate your skin. And repairing your skin might cost more than a new bottle of self-tanner. I think it typically last a year. You should read the description on the box or tube, as the expiration date should be printed on it.
Can tanning lotion go bad? ›
Some tanning lotions do, indeed, have expiration dates. You will be able to find this date printed on the side of the bottle. If your bottle does not have an expiration date printed on it, that does not mean you are in the clear. These lotions tend to be at their peak effectiveness in their first 3 years of life.
Why is my tanning solution green? ›
Green All Over
It means that the facility did not store the spray tan solution well. The solution needs to be kept in a cold and dark place and should be used within six months of purchase, failure to which it will get damaged. Under no circ*mstance should the product have contact with sunlight.
