There’s nothing like having a glowing tan and a beautiful spray tan can make all the difference in not only how you look, but also how you feel. Flaunt that bronzed glow for up to 2 weeks with the proper spray tan care, and then when you’re ready to say goodbye, remove it properly to prepare for your next appointment.
Learn how to remove a spray tan the right way with these tips to avoid discoloration, patchiness, or dry skin. With these tips, your skin will be nice and healthy and ready for a new glow.
How to Remove a Spray Tan, According to the Experts
Knowing how to remove your tan is one of the most important spray tan tips because it will help make your tan look better for longer, and it will also help you prepare for your next spray tan appointment. Learn how to remove a spray tan with these tips:
1. Exfoliate
One of the best ways to remove a spray tan is through gentle exfoliation. We’ve talked before about how you can exfoliate before a spray tan to prepare for your next appointment, and this technique works well when removing a spray tan too. You can use an exfoliator mitt, a washcloth, or just your hand to gently exfoliate your skin with an all-natural, oil-free exfoliant.
Most of the spray tan solution is on the first layer of your skin, so when you are ready to remove your spray tan, consider how you can gently remove this first layer to reveal clean skin underneath for a fresh start.
2. Take a Hot Bath or Shower
In our list of spray tan care tips, we talk a lot about when and how to shower after your spray tan. To maintain your tan, avoid long, hot showers or baths. These soaks soften the first layer of skin (the layer that holds the tan), and when you loosen up this layer, you lessen the effects of your tan. So vice versa, taking a hot bath or shower is a great way to remove a spray tan. When you’re looking for tips on how to take off a spray tan, turn to your trusty bubble bath or long, relaxing shower.
3. EXFOLIATE AND MOISTURIZE
The best tips for removing tans are natural and easy. As you can see above, the first two tips just involve taking a bath or shower. If you want to expedite the process of removing your tan, try the following recipe:
Mix lemon juice and baking soda until it forms a coarse paste.
In the shower, scrub this paste onto your skin.
Rinse off immediately and continue to shower as normal
Lemon juice is full of citric acid and Vitamin C, both of which act as natural skin lightening agents. When mixed with the coarse baking soda, you have a natural exfoliant that’s perfect for helping you remove spray tans.
4. Create Your Own Exfoliant
As we mentioned, one of the top tips on how to remove a spray tan is to exfoliate. Plus, the best news is that you don’t need to invest in a fancy post-tan exfoliant to enjoy the benefits. In fact, some of the best exfoliants are homemade with ingredients that you likely already have around your house.
Here are some of our favorite homemade exfoliant recipes to help you remove your spray tan:
Buttermilk and Oats - Oats are a natural exfoliator and can help remove dead skin cells and spray tan solution. When combined with buttermilk, this creamy recipe can help reduce discoloration as you get rid of your tan. Simply mix two tablespoons of oatmeal with 3-4 tablespoons of buttermilk until you have a thick consistency. Massage it into your skin for 5-7 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
Sugar Scrub - Sugar is another great natural exfoliant that experts recommend when removing a spray tan. Simply mix cane or granulated sugar with 2 drops of water to create a paste. If you really want to elevate your exfoliator game, add a few drops of lavender essential oil for the ultimate pampering. You can also use coconut oil instead of water for a more moisturizing scrub.
Some people worry about how to remove a spray tan before they even get into the studio, but as you can see, removing a spray tan is as simple as taking a hot shower, exfoliating, and creating your own body scrub. The goal is to get rid of dead skin cells and shed the first layer of skin with the spray tan solution so you can have nice, gleaming skin for your next appointment.