Sunless tanning is a quicker and safer alternative to sun bathing, as exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation puts you at risk for premature aging and skin cancer. Improper application of tanning lotion, however, can leave your skin orange, streaked and blotchy. While tanning lotion will fade from your skin within a few days even if you do nothing, you may want to speed up this process if you have a special event coming up, or you simply want to avoid the embarrassment of an uneven tan. Fortunately, there are things you can do at home to even out your tan and remove blotches caused by tanning lotion.
Step 1
Exfoliate your skin using an over-the-counter exfoliating cream or an exfoliating sponge. Exfoliation removes the top layer of dead skin cells and encourages the growth of new skin. By exfoliating blotchy areas, you can help even out your skin tone and fade your sunless tan.
Step 2
Make a paste of baking soda and water, and then rub it onto your damp skin while in the tub or shower for a gentler method of exfoliating. Baking soda will help lighten even large blotches by gently removing the topmost layer of your skin, explains Sunless.com.
Step 3
Wet a washcloth with white vinegar, and dab it onto blotches caused by tanning lotion. Wait several minutes, and then rinse the vinegar off your skin. The vinegar should help lighten dark areas to even out your color. Apply carefully to prevent lightening the rest of your tan.
Step 4
Soak a cotton ball in lemon juice, and rub it back and forth across dark blotches. The lemon will lighten any discoloration and blend the borders of patchy areas to make them less noticeable.
Step 5
Swim or bathe as often as possible to speed up the fading of your tan. The more time you spend in the water, the faster your color will even out.
Things You'll Need
- Exfoliating cream
- Exfoliating sponge
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Cotton balls
- Lemon juice
