BREAK UP With Your Spray Tan
Tan Removal process
Please read the previous post for instructions on how to properly exfoliate your tan off to prepare for your next tan. This blog post focuses on how to take off stubborn tan, because we have all been there.
To assist in removal of an old or unattractive self tan, cover your skin head to toe in a skin friendly cosmetic oil based product. Mineral oil or Baby Oil, will both work well, and are inexpensive! They are both available at any drugstore in the Babycare products aisle. other Examples are mineral oil, coconut oil, evening primrose, palm, avocado, flax, sunflower and others.
After the oil coat, Put on some loose comfortable absorptive clothes that cover skin surface, (to prevent oil on furniture) such as sweat pants, track pants or leggings, and a soft cotton type Tee Shirt. Let oil absorb into the skin for 20-30 minutes or more. (just based on personal preference)
Then take a long soaking warm tub bath for 20 minutes or so, cleanse off excess oil with a milk cleanser, use the mitt or glove to gently exfoliate the skin in overlapping manner, client may use a scrub or baking soda as well. But the mitt works best when used alone. If use is uncomfortable, please use with soap to better lubricate the skin, and adjust pressure on skin surface to prevent discomfort.
This would be used as an occasional self tan removal, when client wants to start again with a “clean slate”, removing build up that may prevent even fading. This is not required once a week, for regular tanning. Normally a good in shower exfoliation with the mitt or glove, (once a week, with a light exfoliation mid week if needed) will remove “some” (not all) of the surface tan, leaving some color on the skin.
In case of emergency
do not scrub skin to the point of irritation, or use any caustic substances or household cleaners on the skin. This is not only harmful to the skin, it can be very dangerous to your health. Many strong household cleaners can be absorbed into the living skin tissues, and cause harm.
-Do not use a multiple of things at the same time, this will only irritate and hurt the skin-
1. Hands And Feet, Thick skinned areas:
Facial hair bleach products (Sally Hansen is available in many Drugstores, though other brands will also work) Also available in Beauty Supply Stores
Hair Remover Depilatory type products (Neet, Veet, Nair etc) These can also be used on other body areas, please use carefully, as they can irritate the skin (especially tender areas)
Facial Hair Dye Remover (available in many Beauty Supply Stores) Color Oops, (at drugstores and chain stores), One N Only ColorFix (at beauty Supply Stores), or other brands.
Cuticle Remover Salicylic (BHA) acid based, or lye based products, formulated for skin use only, on calluses, cuticles, and thick skin (only use on soles or palms, these will burn other areas) Available in many drugstores, or Beauty Supply Stores. (Callus Off, Be Natural) Not recommended for thin or tender or broken skin.
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) or BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) Facial/Skin Peel products, or AHA or BHA Facial Toner Products – These come in gels, creams, lotions, solutions and pads. Available online, drugstores, and beauty supply locations. Use carefully on thin tender or delicate skin areas.
A pumice stone can be used to gently buff skin on foot soles or callused areas – do not buff hard enough to abrade or tear the skin
A fine emery board/nail sanding block can be used carefully on knuckles, and skin (use carefully on thin skin or fingers)
You can also make a scrub with backing soda mixed with a small amount of water, or liquid hand soap/body soap.
2. Nails and Cuticles:
Acetone based nail polish remover wiped over skin with a cotton pad will lighten or remove color. Not for full body use. Do not soak in this!
Buffing nails lightly with a fine sanding block for nail use, use care not to abrade skin
Cuticle remover products, for small area use only. Various brands are available, a popular line is Sally Hasen, which come in gels, lotions, and creams. But any brand will work. Check local drug stores, and Beauty Supply outlets.
Facial Hair Dye Remover (available in many Beauty Supply Stores) Color Oops, (at drugstores and chain stores), One N Only ColorFix (at beauty Supply Stores), or other brands.
To prevent nail discoloration, Polish nails with a clear polish, or cover with a paint on skin safe latex adhesive product before tanning to lessen discoloration (Skin Tac, Osto Bond, Ben Nye and others)
3. Face
Exfoliate the face with a commercial facial scrub product, nylon gloves , or exfoliation mitt. Use care not to irritate or over scrub the skin. You can use a home made scrub with baking soda and gel cleanser, baking soda and water, or sugar and gel cleanser.
Chemical based facial exfoliates such as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), or Salicylic Acid (BHA) based product made for skin safe use only. Can irritate, use carefully, following product directions.
Alcohol based facial toner (Sea Breeze Classic) will lighten the tan, but will not normally remove it. Other brands will work as well, look for a strong astringent made for acne prone skin. This is not for sensitive skin.
4.Hair
To protect scalp hair, cover with a paper or plastic cap. Cover roots of hair with cap, or a thick hair conditioner product. Spray solution can be lightly blended into hair line after spraying with a soft cosmetic sponge
Body hair may discolor from solution, hair removal prior to tanning is usually the best prevention
Facial hair can be protected with cream based hair conditioner applied thickly with a finger or Q-tip
Hair that has become discolored can be cleansed in some cases with Dawn Dish washing Detergent. Condition hair after use
Heavily stained hair may need to be trimmed or lightened with fresh (not old) Hydrogen peroxide (apply with a cotton ball) or Facial, Body, or hair bleach product. (this will lighten hair color)
5. The Entire Body
Cover skin in olive oil, baby oil or mineral oil, and dress in long old clothing (sweat pants or yoga pants and tee shirt) to protect furniture. Allow to soak into the skin for 20 or more minutes
Fill tub with hot soapy warm water, and soak for about 20-30 minutes. Exfoliate skin gently and carefully with nylon gloves , or exfoliation mitt, Exfoliation Cloth a Bar Soap. When tub session is complete, buff damp skin all over with a rough towel to loosen additional dead skin.
This process may need to be repeated over a few days, to remove color if tan is very dark, or very fresh. Use care not to over scrub skin, as you can cause abrasion and carpet burns on delicate areas.
An AHA containing body lotion can help fade the tan when used daily. Eucerin, Paula’s Choice, Dermalogicia and many other lines carry them for body treatment use.
Hair Remover Depilatory type products (Neet, Veet, Nair etc) These can also be used on other body areas, please use carefully, as they can irritate the skin (especially tender areas). Use recommended wait time, and use caution on tender or sensitive skin. If you feel irritation, stinging or burning – shower off immediately with cool or warm water. This can irritate or burn the skin. Use common sense.
Shower off, rubbing skin gently with a rough washcloth, and mild cleanser, please moisture with Aloe Vera or very rich gentle moisturizer after toweling off skin, as it may become irritated. Do not do this before an important event (or a prom or wedding!)
5. Cover Up Tips
During the removal process, you can also “mask” blend or hide a bad spray tan, using a variety of drugstore products. Use our Facial foundation makeup (you can mix a bit with your moisturizer lotion), a bronzer gels, tinted lotions or powders (dust powder over freshly moisturized skin, using a large powder brush) or a tinted bronzer lotion or spray, can all be used to even out, blend, or mask an off color or uneven spray tan.
If nothing else works, consider the fine fashion of MuMus, Pants Suits, Turtle necks and long sleeves for a few days 🙂