It’s frustrating to spend time and money on a spray tan, only to find patchy spots that make your skin look uneven. Whether it happened right after your tan dried or a few days later, those streaks and splotches can leave you feeling like you have to cover up again. Spray tans are meant to give you a natural-looking glow without the sun, but when parts of it come out uneven, it can have the opposite effect.
The good news is patchy areas can usually be corrected without scrubbing everything off and starting completely over. The key is to understand why it’s happening in the first place, and then figure out your best fix. And once you know how to spot the common mistakes, it becomes easier to get longer-lasting, smoother results next time.
Why Spray Tans Turn Patchy
There are a few reasons why a spray tan doesn’t always take evenly. Most of them come from something that happened before, during, or right after the session. You might not notice the mistake right away, but the uneven color starts to show up once the product has had time to sit on your skin and develop.
Here are some of the most common causes:
– Dry or flaky skin: If dead skin cells haven’t been exfoliated before a spray tan, the solution clings unevenly. Dry patches absorb too much while smooth areas take less, which causes different shades across your body.
– Lotions or oils on the skin: Any residue from body products like coconut oil, moisturizer, or deodorant can create a barrier that blocks the tanning solution from sticking. These spots show up as lighter patches once the color has developed.
– Uneven application: If the spray mist isn’t applied evenly or if the person moves around too much during the process, it can result in darker or lighter streaks. Even subtle shifts in distance or angle can make a difference.
– Rubbing or sweating afterward: Wearing tight clothes, working out, or even crossing your arms too soon after your tan can mess with how the product sets. This can lead to splotches or fading in certain areas.
– Improper aftercare: Showering too early, skipping moisturizer, or using strong body washes can break down the color faster in some places than others, leading to a patchy fade over time.
Most of these problems are easy to overlook during the spray tan process but become clear once the tan starts to develop or wear off. Knowing the reasons behind uneven color helps you take the right steps to correct and prevent it.
Quick Ways To Fix Patchy Tan Spots
If you’ve got uneven patches staring back at you in the mirror, the good news is that you probably don’t have to start from scratch. There are a few easy ways to blend, soften, or even out the color without having to redo the whole tan.
Here are some quick fixes you can try:
1. Use a gradual tanning lotion: These build color slowly and can help fill in lighter areas without making things too dark. Apply a small amount to the faded section and blend it well into the edges.
2. Bronzer for short-term coverage: Powder bronzer or shimmer lotions can work in a pinch when you need to even things out quickly for a night out. Just keep in mind it washes off with water.
3. Exfoliate gently around darker spots: If some areas look too dark or streaky, a soft exfoliation can help tone them down. Use a washcloth or a mild scrub and blend the outer edges rather than trying to scrub the entire dark spot away.
4. Apply a makeup sponge or blending mitt: If you’ve got a tanning mousse or leftover product from your last tan, apply it to a blending mitt or sponge and gently dab it onto patches. This method gives you more control than spraying again.
5. Hydrate the area: Sometimes, color looks uneven because the skin is dry. Moisturizing patches twice a day can smooth the look of the tan and soften dry lines, making the whole area look more balanced.
These tricks won’t completely replace a flawless professional job, but they can make your tan look smoother until it naturally fades or you go in for a touch-up. Keep in mind, the better shape your skin is in, the better the tan holds.
Prevention Tips For Future Spray Tans
The best way to deal with patchy spray tans is to stop them before they start. A smooth, even tan starts with knowing how to prepare and care for your skin at the right time. When you take a few extra steps before and after your session, you set yourself up for better results that last longer with less fading or blotching.
Before your spray tan, focus on prepping your skin:
– Exfoliate 24 hours in advance. Use a soft scrub or exfoliating glove to remove dead skin cells, especially around dry zones like ankles, knees, and elbows.
– Avoid shaving or waxing right before your appointment. Doing these too close to tanning time can open your pores and give you a blotchy finish.
– Keep your skin free of lotion, oils, perfumes, deodorant, or makeup. These block the tanning product from sticking evenly.
Once your spray tan is done, aftercare becomes just as important. What you do in the following hours and days can make or break your results:
– Wait the full recommended time before showering. Rinsing too early can stop the color from developing properly.
– Stick to lukewarm water and gentle soap when you rinse off. Pat dry instead of rubbing with your towel.
– Moisturize at least twice a day, focusing on areas that usually get dry fast, like your shins, feet, and forearms.
– Don’t wear tight clothes right after your session. Loose, breathable fabric is best while the tan sets in.
– Avoid long baths, swimming pools, and workouts for the first 24 to 48 hours. Sweat, chlorine, and soaking water fade your color faster and unevenly.
Making these habits part of your routine can help stretch the life of your tan. Skin that’s smooth and well-hydrated will hold color more evenly and fade more naturally. You won’t just get better short-term results. Your future tans will go on easier and last longer with fewer touch-ups.
Why Professional Spray Tanning Services Make a Difference
Fixing a patchy tan at home gets you by in the moment, but for those who want more reliable, longer-lasting results, working with a pro can make things much easier. The technique, the tools, and the products used during a professional service are built to offer you smooth, even color while avoiding many of the common issues people run into at home.
Experienced technicians know how to adjust the spray pattern, how to tailor the approach based on your skin type and tone, and how to provide tips on post-session care that match the products used. That makes a big difference in how your tan develops and how even it looks as it fades.
Instead of trying to fix uneven spots after the fact, choosing a professional spray tanning service helps you avoid those issues from the start. You can show up with prepped skin, follow post-tan care directions, and walk away with consistent color that holds up through your day-to-day routine. When you know the tan will go on evenly and fade smoothly, you spend less time worrying and more time enjoying how it looks.
Keep That Glow Going Strong
A patchy spray tan may be common, but learning how to fix and prevent it makes a big difference. Whether you’re fixing faded spots right now or just want to get things right the first time, it helps to know where the problems usually start and how to take care of your skin before and after each session.
A little preparation, steady aftercare, and choosing the right spray tanning service make all the difference between a short-lived glow and a smooth, lasting one. When you take care of your skin and trust the process to professionals, keeping your tan even and golden from day one to fade-out gets a whole lot easier.
Looking to keep your glow flawless and even? Discover how our spray tanning services at Sugar Sugar St Johns deliver a professional touch that helps you achieve a smooth, lasting tan every time.