How to Keep Your Hands, Feet, Elbows, and Knees from Turning Orange When Sunless Tanning
The use of sunless tanners has gone up astronomically in the past few years. If you have ever used the endless self-tanners that line the shelves or stepped into a spray tan booth, you’ve probably found yourself with some orange areas of your body. Often times, if you aren’t careful, you can be left with your hands, feet, elbows, and knees turning orange when sunless tanning, sending a big alert to those around you that you are “faking and baking”. A lot of women (and men) yearn for that sun-kissed glow without those around them knowing that they didn’t achieve it naturally. If you’ve ever wondered what top 2 reasons lead to those areas of your body being more susceptible to the pumpkin affect, continue reading.
- The skin in this area is much thinner than the rest of your body. When your skin is thinner and you apply self-tanners, the oxidation process is sped up. When the product oxidizes faster, it leads to that more orange tone if not applied properly.
- Never get a spray tan with dry skin. Often times the hands, feet, elbows, and knees are the more dry parts of our skin. If you get a spray tan or apply self-tanner with non moisturized skin, you’re asking to get the orange patches and tones. Sunless tanning products work on the top layer of the skin, the DHA (dihydroxyacetone) in the tanner will react with the amino acids in the dead skin cells (if they are present) to produce melaninoids, which results in an increase in the darkening of the top layer.
Ways to avoid these problems:
- Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate – Moisturize all areas of your skin on a daily basis. Prep your skin prior to getting a spray tan or using self-tanner.
- Put lotion on your knees, elbows, hands, and feet right before you put on self-tanner. This will help with the evening out of the product on those more susceptible areas.
- If applying the self-tanner yourself, use a mitt to put it on. Using a mitt or glove avoids the build up of the product on one part of your body that has the thinnest skin (your hands).
- Don’t pick a color multiple shades darker than the color your skin currently is at. If you are trying to go far darker than your natural skin tone, these areas of your body have a higher probability of looking orange and unnatural.
Remember, self-tanners and spray tans can be your ticket to a safe, natural glow but if used without the right preparation, can result in unwanted looks. Follow these tips and tricks, and you’ll be left with a natural, sun-kissed glow every time! No more turning orange when sunless tanning! If you’re looking for one of the best spots to get a high quality tan, contact us!
