Sunless tanner, or self-tanner, has proved to be one of the finest beauty inventions so far, used to attain that perfectly bronzed body. It has also saved many people the unnecessary exposure to sun, excess of which can cause several skin problems. Sunless tanner also saves a lot of time, especially for those whose hectic schedule doesn’t allow them the time-consuming sunbath that gives a natural tan. However, sunless tanners can also leave some temporary stains and blotches on your body that are quite visible and make your skin look uneven. In case you are wondering how to remove the self tanner stains, follow the article to find some useful tips.
Image: cL0d@flickr
Removing Sunless Tanner Stains
From Hands, Knees, Elbows & Feet
- You can try some orange goop to remove the sunless tanner stains. It is a solvent used by car mechanics and works very well on coarse and rough areas, such as the feet, elbows and palms of your hands.
- Use a cuticle clipper to remove dead skin around your finger nails, which can gain a color as that of nuts, when a self-tanner is used on them. Stained nail beds can be soaked in a denture cleaner, followed by scrubbing with a toothbrush.
- Lemon juice is a very effective natural lightening agent, especially for the thicker skin on the elbows and knees. If your feet or hands have been over bronzed, lemon juice can be used on them as well.
- Combine some baking soda and a few drops of water to make a paste. Scrub your knees, elbows, feet and hands with the paste and take care not to leave the space between your fingers. You can also try a good-quality exfoliating scrub, instead of baking soda.
For Your Face/Neck
- Astringent works as a great remedy for facial splotches, especially those caused by a self tanner. Dip a cotton ball in an astringent or a toner containing salicylic acid and rub it on your face and neck. It can work wonders in removing your self-tanner stains.
- Exfoliate with a good quality facial scrub or mask to remove the dead skin cells that have collected the extra pigment. Make sure that you use a scrub especially designed for the face, as body scrubs could be too harsh for your facial skin.
- In case you have to go out and don’t have much time to remove the strains, you can hide them with a bronzer. Make sure to blend properly, so that the concealed area doesn’t stand out.
Additional Tips
- If your whole body appears blotched or streaky, soak some espom salt or mineral bath salt in the bathing tub. Bathing in espom salt water will soften your skin and make the excess pigmentation break free, as you wash yourself.
- You can try waxing or having a fresh shave on your legs and arms. Shaving will have the same exfoliating effect as a scrub. It will help to release any blotches caused by the self-tanner.