How to Get Rid of Tan Lines

While many people think that tan lines are sexy, especially when they convey the shape of a skimpy swimsuit, too much pale skin can definitely be a turn-off. By carefully exposing these areas to further ultraviolet rays or by using sunless tanners, you can get rid of that annoying farmer's tan.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Exfoliating cleaner
• Loofah or abrasive sponge
• Moisturizing lotion
• Tanning bed
• Sunless or conventional tanning product

1. Exfoliate the untanned areas of your skin, and apply a moisturizer before you try to even out your tan. Exfoliating requires that you scrub away dead skin cells with an abrasive cleaner and a loofah or sponge. By applying a moisturizer after exfoliation, you will have conditioned your skin for a more even and consistent tan.

2. Decide whether you want to get rid of your tan lines by exposing the whiter areas of your skin to more ultraviolet rays or if you want to use a sunless tanner or bronzing lotion to achieve a more consistent skin tone. While evening out your tan lines with a sunless tanner may be a safer alternative, it may be harder to match your natural skin tone to the tan the product creates.

3. Use latex gloves when applying a sunless tanner to get rid of tan lines. This will help you to avoid having your palms stained, which will betray the origins of your all-over tan.

4. Use a tanning bed at a salon in order to get rid of your tan lines, so that you can easily expose the desired parts of your skin to ultraviolet rays in a private manner. Be sure to use a mild sunscreen, with an SPF of around 15, in order to prevent burning and peeling afterward. Remember, many parts of the body that are not normally exposed to the sun, such as the buttocks and breasts, are more susceptible to burning and peeling.

5. Blend the edges of the tan lines whether you're using a sunless tanning product or a tanning bed. Achieving a seamless tan line will be the result of applying UV rays or a sunless-tanning lotion in short, measured amounts. Give your skin plenty of time between treatments to adjust and settle into a new tone.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not try to accelerate tanning in certain areas by "overcooking" your skin with baby oil or excessive ultraviolet rays. This will cause the white areas of your skin to burn and peel, which can be unsightly as well as dangerous.