If there’s one thing that’s synonymous with summertime, it’s the desire for a great tan. Whether you achieve that or not, you will inevitably end up with tan lines, even if you practice adequate sun protection. You may be concerned that your tan lines are uneven or even lasting too long. Keep reading to find out exactly how long it takes tan lines to fade and much more.
On average, a tan or tan lines can last anywhere from 7-10 days, up to 8 weeks. Depending on the amount of skin exposure, and the individual, you may experience shorter or longer wait times for your tan lines to disappear.
That being said, there’s much to consider when taking your tan lines into account. For instance, you may want your tan to last longer, or you may want to even out those lines and fix a wacky tan line. You may also want to help your tan lines along in fading faster. Whichever boat you’re in, we may have an answer for you.
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So, exactly how long do tan lines last?
If you’ve achieved a tan the old fashion way by laying in the sun, you can expect that your tan will begin to fade in around 7 to 10 days. That is about how long it takes for your skin to exfoliate or shed a layer naturally. That being said, the fading may begin around that time, but it doesn’t mean your tan will magically disappear.
Spray tans are another beast entirely. If correctly done and cared for, a spray tan could last up to ten days. But if you aren’t taking care of your spray tan properly or don’t apply it properly, it can begin fading within a day. We all remember that episode of Friends, right? Hopefully, you aren’t working with quite as severe tan lines as poor Ross was.
How To Get Rid of Accidental Tan Lines and Correct Your Tan:
So maybe you wore a strappy bikini or left something sitting on your stomach while you were laying out in the sun. Perhaps the tan line from your watch is glaringly apparent (like mine), and you want to even your lines out. Or maybe you want to fade your unsightly farmer’s tan. There are several things you can do to even your tan lines out.
- Wear SPF – Every day. That’s right. Every. Single. Day. Wearing SPF will help even out your tan by continuously protecting your skin and prevent it from becoming more tan.
- You can exfoliate your skin, but remember to be gentle. Exfoliating will help remove the outer layer of dead skin. Exfoliating is something you should do before applying a self-tanner if that’s the route you want to take.
- For more extensive tan lines, try applying a self-tanner to even out your tan if it’s not fading fast enough. There are an incredible amount of self-tanners on the buy generic Ambien market that can help you achieve an even tan without stepping into the sun again. These products are typically gradual and subtle enough that you can quickly eyeball how much you’ll need to correct your tan.
How To Prevent Tan Lines
If you know you don’t want to tan, you can take a few steps in preventing tan lines. These are also just good skin care practices and will ensure you are keeping your skin protected.
- You know the drill by now. Layer on that SPF! Especially on the more sensitive areas of your skin, like your face.
- If you know you’re going to be outdoors, avoid the times when the sun is highest in the sky or when the rays are the strongest. It’s usually between 10 am and 4 pm. You should keep in mind that the sun’s rays will be stronger, depending on your location. Things like altitude, your proximity to the equator, reflective surfaces (like lakes or snow), and time of year can all have an impact on how intense the sun’s rays are.
- Wear protective clothing and accessories. If you don’t want to tan (or tan any further than you have), you can adjust your wardrobe to suit your needs. Bright or dark clothing, densely woven materials, and long sleeves and pant legs will prevent you from encountering tan lines.
- Even if you think you don’t look good in one (I know I don’t), hats and sunglasses are your best friends when it comes to sun protection and preventing tan lines. A nice, wide brim hat and a pair of wrap-around sunglasses will work wonders in preventing unwanted tan lines.
How to Prolong your Tan – Naturally, or with Some Assistance
If you want to prolong your tan, it’s not too difficult to convince it to stay around a while longer. Following these steps can significantly increase the longevity of your tan.
- Exfoliating before you tan can help your tan last longer because you will have already removed the outermost dead skin cells.
- Be sure to keep your skin moisturized. If your skin is dried out, your tan can take on a cracked or burnt appearance.
- Continue wearing SPF to protect the tan you have, and prevent it from turning into a burn.
- Take a break from your super hot showers. I love a shower that almost hurts, but switching to cool water (as far as you can stand) can prevent your tan from fading. When you shower in super hot water, you strip the natural oils off your skin and fade your tan.
- Use enhancing products, especially if you’d like to emphasize a tan on your face. Bronzers and tinted products can help you keep the same shade all over.
- Top everything off with a gradual self-tanner. If you notice your tan starting to fade here or there, use a self-tanning product to even out your tan lines and give yourself an all-over glow.
- Remember to drink up! Staying hydrated from the inside out will help your skin stay hydrated and allow your tan to stick around longer.
How To Fade Your Tan Faster
If you are desperate to fade your tan and can’t wait to do so, we can recommend a few steps to take to get rid of that tan.
- You can lighten your tan with household ingredients. You may already have some of these items in your kitchen. Dairy is a popular choice to help fade tans. Massaging creek yogurt into your skin (and then washing off), as well as milk baths, are a popular solution for fading tanned skin.
- Another trick to consider is mixing lemon juice and aloe vera. Lemon juice will lighten your skin, and the aloe will keep it moisturized since the lemon juice can also be drying.
- For spray tans or other artificial tans, baby oil is your best friend. When coupled with exfoliation, you can easily slough away the topmost layer of your tan, fading it without causing damage. Leave the baby oil on for about thirty minutes, then exfoliate physically (like with a bath sponge) in the shower.
Why Does My Tan Last So Long?
Sometimes, in the dead of winter, I will notice that I still have tan lines on my feet from the strappy sandals I wore all summer, or, as I mentioned earlier, that I have a glaringly apparent tan line from my watch. While this isn’t necessarily bad, it can be a bit weird and surprising to find your tan from mid-summer still going strong in January. Why do tans last longer on some people than others?
That being said, your tan may only seem like it’s lasting longer than usual. If you aren’t exfoliating and hydrating your skin regularly, you won’t lose the outer layer of dead skin cells. If you’re not losing that outer layer, your tan won’t fade.
And whether it appears to be cloudy or not, you should always wear sun protection of some form, even in the winter, to prevent additional sun exposure. Even sun exposure in the winter can cause your tan to persist, though it may take longer, more intense exposure during the winter months.
Alternatively, if you have a “tan” that you think you’ve had for years, you may be looking at hyperpigmentation or sun damage and not a tan. Visiting a dermatologist may be the only way to tell the difference between an unusually long-lasting tan and something like sun damage. If it is damaged, or hyperpigmentation, there are many options for lightening and correcting this pigmentation.