How to Fix a Spray Tan Gone Wrong

Sunless tanning has come a long way from the bad spray tans you may remember from your teen years. Today, there are plenty of high-quality products designed to give you a believable sun-kissed glow, from easy-to-spread foams to luxurious lotions and even oils. But despite the better formulas we have access to today, things can still go awry if you don’t apply them properly.

Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to remedy a bad fake tan at home using products you probably already have. For tips on how to fix a patchy tan quickly, we spoke with Sophie Evans, St. Tropez skin finishing expert and celebrit self-tanner. Read on for her advice—and discover how to prep your skin for a spray tan so you can get a smooth, even finish next time around.

What Causes an Uneven Tan?

A bad spray tan can happen to even the most well-practiced faux tanner. Often, patchy results are due to one of three things: improper skin prep, the application technique, or how you care for your skin post-bronzing.

Typically, you’ll want to cleanse and exfoliate your skin before applying self-tanner or getting a spray tan. You’ll also want to moisturize prior to application. This can help ensure your skin is smooth and soft and there are no rough or dry patches for your chosen self-tanner to cling to. It’s sort of like makeup: for an even application, you need a smooth, well-prepped base.

The application technique can also affect how your tan comes out. Visiting a professional who knows how to distribute the product evenly is one of the best ways to ensure a seamless finish. If you opt for the DIY route, read the instructions on your chosen product thoroughly before getting started. It’s also a good idea to work slowly and use the lightest shade possible, at least until you get your technique down.

Keep in mind that aftercare is just as important as prep. For the first day or so after getting your spray tan, you’ll want to wear loose, flowy clothes—anything too tight has the potential to disrupt your tan. It’s also important to follow the aftercare instructions set by your tanning artist (or those provided on the packaging of the product you used). Showering too soon could cause your tan to fade, while waiting too long may make your fake tan appear too dark or patchy.

How Long Does a Spray Tan Last?

How long you can expect your spray tan to last depends on the product used, as well as how you care for your skin in the days following the application. According to Evans, a professional spray tan can last as long as 12 to 14 days with the proper aftercare. “However, after about five to six days, your glow would have faded a little and may need a boost, particularly if you have an event,” she says.

To maintain your tan’s longevity, she recommends using a gradual tanning lotion, like the St. Tropez Gradual Tan Classic Daily Firming Lotion, for a midweek boost. This tanning lotion, she says, “goes on as easily as a body lotion [and] can be applied in the morning before work with no worry about product transfer.” She explains that using a gradual tanning lotion will provide “a boost of color about two to three shades deeper [than your skin tone] and a surge of hydration to make the skin glow.”

As the days go on, you may notice that your face and hands are fading faster than the rest of your body due to frequent washing and use of products like hand sanitizer. “Invest in a good facial self-tanner that can also be used to tan the hands as well,” advises Evans. “You may find the face and hands will need reapplication every three to four days.”

We suggest using the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops. This hyaluronic acid-infused gradual tanning serum is perfect for those looking to customize their glow. Just add a few drops into your nighttime moisturizer—five to seven for a subtler glow, or up to 10 for a deeper bronze—and smooth it onto your skin for a natural-looking bronze, sans any streakiness or orange tones.

Keep in mind that when tanning your hands, you’ll want to apply moisturizer first to help ensure your skin is sufficiently hydrated. It’s also a good idea to wipe your nails and cuticles clean after applying your tanner to avoid staining.

How To Remove a Bad Spray Tan

If you’re dealing with an awful spray tan, don’t panic. While fully removing a bad tan can be tricky, there are ways to help improve the look of a fake tan gone wrong. Ahead, Evans shares a few tips for evening out your patchy color.

Step 1: Hit the shower

One of the simplest ways to help a bad spray tan fade more quickly is to lather up. Hop in the shower and thoroughly cleanse your body with your favorite body wash or bar soap.

Step 2: Use a tanning mitt

While you’re in the shower, Evans recommends using a tanning mitt (such as the St. Tropez Remover Mitt) to help lighten up any areas where your tanner may have developed darker. “Lightly exfoliating over an area will also help, but the use of an exfoliating mitt will really allow you to lift the darker patches and be more precise.” “[Work] in flat circular motions to lift off darker color and reveal an even tan tone,” she advises.

Step 3: Moisturize

After showering, slather on a body lotion or cream—Evans says that moisturizing well can help speed up the rate at which your faux tan fades.

Step 4: Be patient!

Continue the steps above until your tan dissipates (depending on how deep it is, it could take a few days or more). Make sure that any remnants of an old spray tan or sunless tanning product are completely removed before you apply more.

How To Fix a Patchy Tan Without Taking It Off

Streakiness can turn a beautiful bronze into a bad fake tan quickly, but luckily, fixing a patchy tan isn’t too tricky. Evans suggests using a self-tanner to help even out lighter areas and exfoliating to help lighten darker patches. Follow her guide below and before you know it, your self-tan gone wrong will be made right.

Step 1: Exfoliate the dark spots

Hop in the shower and use an exfoliating mitt to help lighten those too-dark patches. While regular exfoliating (like with a scrub) can also help fade your tan, Evans recommends using a mitt in small, circular motions for added precision.

Step 2: Moisturize next

Next, hop out of the shower, towel off, and apply a moisturizer to those darker-than-desired spots. “[Moisturizer] acts as a barrier and prevents any [further] deepening,” Evans explains. You’ll want to opt for an oil-free moisturizer since oils can break down the color. Try the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: It’s rich but non-greasy and absorbs quickly for lasting hydration without a heavy or sticky feel.

Step 3: Strategically use self-tanner

To further even out your spray tan, reach for a self-tanner— specifically one that goes on bronze instead of clear. “If your spray tan is in a mess with light patches, you will need a self-tanner, preferably with a guide color (built-in bronzer), that way we can precisely see where we need to apply,” says Evans. Pro tip: Apply your self-tanner with a makeup brush for ultimate precision. And you don’t have to worry about staining your makeup brushes—the tanner will wash out completely with soap and water.

“To fill in serious light patches, I like to use St. Tropez Luxe Whipped Self Tan Crème Mousse, as the built-in bronzer looks amazing from the get-go,” says Evans. Just be sure to apply a regular body lotion to the darker patches first to prevent them from deepening, too.

How To Fix a Spray Tan That Is Too Dark

A too-dark spray tan can end up looking orange, rather than sun-kissed. Fortunately, Evans says this is also an easy fix.

Step 1: Get greasy

As we mentioned above, oils can break down the color in self-tanner. While that’s not ideal if you’re rocking a flawless glow, it’s useful for those looking to fix a bad self-tan. “Drench the skin in oil and leave it on for about five to 10 minutes before taking a warm shower with exfoliation,” Evans advises. “You will see your spray tan instantly drop a few shades.” Any oil works, but Evans suggests using body oil, such as coconut oil or even baby oil.

Keep in mind that if you leave the oil on for any longer, it can cause the color to lock in more and do the reverse of what you want to achieve. So set a timer and hop in the shower as soon as it goes off.

Step 2: In-shower exfoliation

After sitting with your body oil, hop in the shower and wash it off with a mild body wash. Then, exfoliate with a gentle body scrub. We love the Youth to the People 10% AHA + Yerba Mate Smoothing Energy Body Scrub, which features both finely milled seed powders and alpha-hydroxy acids for gentle yet efficient exfoliation. The creamy formula is suitable for all skin types and can be used up to twice weekly for smooth, healthy-looking skin.

What To Do Before a Spray Tan for the Best Results

For the best results, you should start prepping for your spray tan a few days in advance of your appointment (or DIY tanning session). Here’s what you can do to avoid a fake tan gone wrong.

Step 1: Exfoliate consistently

“The best way to prepare your skin before your spray tan is to start exfoliating a few days out, with ideally your last exfoliation being eight hours before the actual spray tan,” says Evans. “This will give your skin the opportunity to be at its most neutral pH level. Sometimes exfoliating immediately before a spray tan can lower [your skin’s] pH level, which can achieve a slightly lighter depth of tan.”

If you accidentally exfoliate right before, don’t worry. Some tanning salons apply a pH-balancing product immediately before your spray tan, Evans says. This helps ensure your skin is perfectly prepped for your spray tan.

Step 2: Wax, shave, and remove body hair in advance

As a general rule of thumb, waxing should be done at least a full day before your appointment. “When you’ve waxed, your hair pores are slightly open, so applying a spray tan shortly after can lead to darkened, spotty pores,” says Evans. “Always wait 24 hours [after waxing] for your hair pores to settle.” Shaving requires less advance prep—you can do it the morning of your spray tan.

Step 3: Keep skin bare and clean the day of

Skip applying thick creams or lotions, perfumes, and oils on the day of your appointment. Remember to remove any deodorant or makeup right before your tan to ensure the pigment applies smoothly and evenly for a gorgeous, just-got-back-from-vacation glow.

Next Up: The Ultimate Body Care Routine for Your Softest, Most Supple Skin Yet