You got your spray tan, you rocked that beautiful glow for a couple weeks, and now it is time to prepare for your next appointment. But what happens when your hands and feet seem to have taken on the spray tan formula a bit more than other parts of your body?
Well, you’re not alone. The hands, feet, and even elbows often absorb color more because they tend to be drier and therefore more porous. If you don’t remove a spray tan completely before your next appointment, it can cause further discoloration–and no one wants that.
If you’ve experienced frustration when trying to remove spray tan we’re here to help. Our helpful tips for how to get spray tan off your hands and feet will keep skin looking healthy and totally prepare you for a flawless tan.
5 Steps to Remove Spray Tan from Your Hands and Feet
Have you ever noticed patchy color on your hands and feet after a spray tan? Even if you wash vigorously, this discoloration can persist and that can be especially frustrating if you need to remove spray tan before your next appointment.
Spray tan ingredients contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which darkens the surface layer of the skin. The drier areas of skin can absorb DHA more, which may contribute to the challenges associated with removing spray tan.
Proper removal is an important part of spray tan care and can really make a difference when you head into your next appointment. Check out these five expert tips for how to get spray tan off your feet and hands.
1. Take a soak in the tub
Not only is a warm soak or shower relaxing and pampering, it’s a great way to soften your skin’s surface in preparation for exfoliation and removing spray tan from hands and feet. It also cleanses the skin, which is important if you’re preparing for a spray tan appointment.
Soaking is effective for helping to remove spray tan from other parts of your body, too. Try applying a layer of soothing body oil before your bath to start loosening stubborn patches of color and be sure to completely rise off and dry before heading to your spray tan appointment.
2. Gently exfoliate your skin
Since spray tan settles into the surface layer of your skin, a gentle exfoliation is a perfect way to remove excess color and deeply cleanse your skin in prep for your next spray tan session. There are a number of ways to exfoliate, but whichever method you choose, make sure you don’t rub so hard that you cause abrasions.
Here are a few of the best ways to remove spray tan from hands and feet with exfoliation:
• Exfoliating Mitt: A mitt is a simple way to remove dead skin cells leaving your skin with a dewy glow. It helps remove any remainders of color, reduce ingrown hairs, and clear pores–all great things to do before you get a spray tan, too!
• Washcloth: If you want a lighter touch, a washcloth is a soothing way to remove color and clean skin
• Sugar scrub: Sugar is a natural exfoliant that you can easily make at home with granulated sugar and water, or coconut oil. You can even add a few drops of essential oils like lavender to really create a nurturing experience.
• Oats: Oats are another natural exfoliant that helps to soothe skin while removing dead skin cells. A simple mix of 2 tablespoons of oats to 3-4 tablespoons of buttermilk will create a luscious combo that you can massage into your skin and gently remove after a few minutes.
3. Add lemon juice to your exfoliant
Lemon juice contains citric acid and Vitamin C, which aids in lightening the skin and removing excess spray tan color. You can use it directly on your hands or feet or combine with baking soda to create a mild exfoliant aimed at cutting through patchy color.
4. Enjoy the steam room
Steam is an effective way to help remove spray tan from your hands and feet, as well as the rest of your body. The heat and sweat help soften your skin and the color, making it easier to wipe off later. Use a warm, wet washcloth and gently rub in circular motions on skin following your time in the steam. Rinse your skin with warm water and be sure to dry completely before getting your next spray tan.
5. Take a swim
If you have access to a pool, you might consider taking a dip. The chlorine in pools may act as both a gentle bleaching agent and helps to remove spray tan that’s left on your skin, especially in those pesky areas like between the toes.
Of course, make sure to shower after swimming to remove chlorine. Use your exfoliating mitt or warm washcloth to gently remove dead skin and spend some extra time on areas of patchy color.
How to Prep Your Skin Before a Spray Tan
Achieving that beautiful, bronze glow starts before you ever walk into the studio. Prepping your skin before your spray tan is a great way to ensure that it lasts and looks flawless. Part of the preparation process is to know how to get spray tan off your hands and feet effectively. To help you prep well, here are a few spray tan tips to try before your next appointment:
1. Exfoliate at least 4 hours before your appointment
As mentioned above, exfoliation is an important step in removing spray tan from hands and feet, and it’s also helpful to do right before your spray tan appointment. Exfoliation with a gentle, oil-free scrub will remove discoloration, oils, and anything else on your skin that may affect your spray tan. While it initially opens your pores and lets them breathe, giving yourself a few hours after exfoliation will ensure that your pores naturally close before spray tan application.
2. Take a shower several hours before your spray tan
If you plan to shower before your appointment, do so with ample time before so that your skin can dry completely, and your pores close back up. Spray tan formula will not properly adhere to wet skin and may lead to discoloration. Expert tip: take a quick dip in the cold-water right before you finish your shower to close pores.
3. Don’t apply beauty products before spray tan
As much as we all love to moisturize, you want to avoid applying any type of lotion or beauty products right before a spray tan. They can prevent the spray tan formula from sticking to your skin.
4. Receive skin care before your spray tan appointment
Make sure to receive skin care services before you get a spray tan. These include waxing, facials, massages, shaving, manicure/pedicure, or any other process that could potentially wipe off spray tan.
Conclusion
If you worry about removing a spray tan from your hands and feet, fear not. Simply try our tips for removing a spray tan like exfoliation, a warm bath, or a relaxing steam to help you rejuvenate your skin for optimal spray tan results. Remember, you want to gently shed the surface layer of your skin where the spray tan solution sits, leaving a fresh canvas of beautiful skin.
Get Glowing with Be Bronze Studio
At Be Bronze Studio we believe that beautiful skin is the result of amazing skincare, including your spray tan. When it comes to deciding between a spray tan vs. tanning bed, we know that our specially formulated spray tan solution will nourish your skin and prevent exposure to harmful UV rays that come with a tanning bed. If you do not have time to make it in for a spray tan, you could always use these tips for at home using our self-tanner for the perfect summer glow on the go. Combined with these tips for removing a spray tan, your skin is sure to love you.