Spray tan mistakes happen. If streaks have you gasping at the full-length mirror in horror, Evans says baby oil plus exfoliation is the quickest fix. "Apply baby oil to the darker area and leave for 10 minutes," she says. "Scrub the skin with an exfoliator, then buff the skin using a hot, damp washcloth."
Hair removal cream is another expert hack for spray tan removal. Evans recommends applying it to the darker area with a Q-tip and leaving it on for half the recommended time -- any longer will lighten your skin too much.
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Go Back to Square One
If your spray tan, for whatever reason, has you vowing to barricade yourself in your bathroom for 7 to 10 days while it fades, there is one way to remove it completely. Evans says a lemon juice and baking soda mix, left on the skin for five minutes, will remove a spray tan gone wrong. Wipe it off with an exfoliating or cleansing cloth, and you should have a clean slate.
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Maintain Your Spray Tan
To make your spray tan last as long as possible, avoid using products that chemically exfoliate skin cells, like retinol, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Use a lightweight lotion daily to keep your newly tanned skin cells from flaking off prematurely.
Both salt water and chlorinated water will fade your tan faster, so keep that in mind if you're baring your new glow by the beach or poolside. If you do go in the water, pat your skin dry -- don't rub.
By following the above rules, your glorious spray tan will last seven to ten days.
