Water spots on a spray tan can look embarrassing and it is very frustrating. This article will show you how to fix water spots from your last spray tanning session or from the shower.
There are many methods for removing water stains, but some methods work better than others depending on what type of surface you’re working with. In this article, I’ll share my personal favorite methods on How To Fix Water Spots On A Spray Tan!
What Causes Spray Tan Water Spots?
After a spray tan, some people report developing strange white spots on their skin. The good news is, these water spots are only temporary and tend to fade away after a few hours.
The skin is washed away with water. DHA is removed by water. The DHA in the spray tan solution darkens the upper dead skin cells.
- If the skin comes into contact with water, such as from rain or hands-free dishwashing, the DHA will wash away and be unable to darken the skin on your entire body.
- You must wait 8 hours after getting spray tanned before engaging in any activity, or you risk water spots caused by moisture contact anytime before then.
- If you want a lighter tan, you may wash your spray tan off sooner than eight hours; however, to ensure that no DHA remains in areas where it was not washed properly, make sure you wash it evenly in the shower and all over.
- So, waiting 8 hours after your spray tan to get in water is crucial to achieving an uniform, natural-appearing tan.
Sweating excessively after receiving a spray tan is another cause of water stains. It’s possible that you’re experiencing itching because of the heat or tight clothing (which isn’t recommended) worn after a spray tan. Tiny beads or droplets of perspiration may wash away the DHA, resulting in patches and lighter areas on the spray tan.
What do they look like?
These water spots are typically white, circular spots on the skin. They vary in size, anywhere from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Many people report seeing these on their palms or on their upper backs.
The most common location for these spots is on your back—after you spray tan around your waist or on your legs. Some people report seeing these spots on their chest, back of their arms, and shoulder blades.
Are Spray Tan Water Spots Caused By The Latex In My Gloves?
Does a latex allergy cause these white spots after a spray tan? First of all, even if you have a latex allergy, you can still get spray tans. There are latex-free gloves available for your protection.
That said, there is no scientific research to suggest that latex allergies cause these spots after spray tanning. The most likely culprit of these white spots is stearyl alcohol .
Stearyl Alcohol Is A Common Ingredient In Spray Tan Lotions
Stearyl alcohol is a common ingredient in spray tan lotions. You’ve probably seen it listed as an ingredient in the list of ingredients when you buy your own bottle for home use.
This alcohol is used in place of deodorant (it stops your body from producing sweat). The reason why this ingredient works well to stop your underarms from producing sweat is because it clogs up your pores and prevents you from perspiring.
This ingredient also dries quickly after it’s applied, which results in a nice, flawless tan. Because of this quick dry-time, the alcohol is very popular with spray tan companies to stop their customers’ hands from getting messy while they apply the solution.
What’s The Problem With This Alcohol?
Although this ingredient does a great job of stopping your body from preserving and getting sticky hands, it has another side effect: It leaves blotches on your skin after you shower.
That said, these spots tend to be temporary and go away after several hours. In most cases, you don’t need to worry about these spots because they aren’t permanent.
However, some people are sensitive to stearyl alcohol , so if you have dry skin or had your spray tan done in an unclean room, you may want to take extra steps to protect yourself from these white blotches on your skin after a shower.
How To Fix Water Spots On A Spray Tan
To protect yourself from these white spots, make sure you push excess water off of your body after your shower. You don’t want any more running down your legs or pooling in the crooks of your elbows and knees.
The reason why this solution works is because the alcohol has dried on your skin. If you rub or wipe off the alcohol without pushing excess water off of your body first, you’ll just be rubbing it back on your skin—and more white spots will develop.
Some people recommend putting lotion on these spots after they disappear to help restore any lost moisture in the blotched areas. Others recommend applying deodorant to the spots before they fade away so you don’t have visible white blotches on your skin.
Spray Tan Water Spots Should Fade Away By The Following Day
Although these water spots are annoying, they’re not permanent blots that were caused by your spray tanning session. They should fade away within 12-24 hours.
In most cases, you can just wait for these spots to fade away naturally. In some cases, if the white spots bother you, it helps to apply a little lotion or deodorant to these areas. If the water marks don’t disappear by tomorrow morning—or if they seem worse than normal—you should contact your dermatologist.
Fixing Spray Tan Water Spots
The final product will differ based on your spray tan’s condition, as will the methods to deal with it. Here are some ideas for how to repair a splotchy tan.
Use lemon and baking soda – Two simple ingredients, lemon and baking soda, can help you remove water spots at home. Use a spoon to form a paste from lemon juice and enough baking soda. Get in the shower and scrub away at the water spots with this combination. The combination of the two ingredients will help to lighten the region surrounding the water spots, blending them in more with the rest of your skin.
Do some touch ups – You may use a self-tanning lotion to cover up a few little water stains (either one that’s already in your cupboard, or you’ll have to go out and buy one). Using a little paintbrush, dip the brush into the self-tanner and remove some of the solution on the bottle before carefully painting in the water spots. Try to keep the tan light and let it develop until the white patches blend in with the rest of your skin.
Do a reapplication process – If you end up getting a lot of water on your body, which leaves you with numerous tiny water flaws or big areas of lighter color, it’s probably best to just remove your tan and start again. You may exfoliate your face with a lemon-sugar scrub.
Consider a bronzer – On the most stubborn of white splotches, you may want to grab your bronzer. It will be similar to adding self-tanner, but instead of just upping the darkness factor on your skin it’ll add a little pigment as well. Use a soft brush and blend in thoroughly – you don’t want dark spots all over your face or body – just some extra color on your skin that will blend in easily.
Keeping A New Spray Tan Safe
A spray tan can enhance your appearance without makeup. But, to keep a new spray tan safe, you should take some precautions. Here are some pointers on keeping a new spray tan safe:
1) Before going into a salon for a spray-on tan, tell the stylist that you have never had a synthetic bronzer applied before. You should also ask if the stylist uses gloves when applying the tanning solution. This is important because you can develop allergies to certain chemicals.
2) When receiving a spray-on tan, avoid wearing rubber clothing or shoes since synthetic material could become permanently discolored. Also, don’t apply deodorant to your skin before having your spray-on tan done.
3) Don’t take a hot shower or bath to remove the tan after your visit to the salon. You shouldn’t do this because it can bring out the orange color of your spray tan. Instead, apply oil-free moisturizer on your skin before taking a cold bath or shower.
4) Limit your time in the sun after you get your spray tan done. This is important because your skin can still be sensitive to sunlight or windburn after getting a spray tan. If you have to go outside, wear sunscreen and loose clothing.
5) Avoid applying any moisturizers, makeup or lotions before your fake tan has had time to set. This is important because it can affect the quality of your spray tan. If you want to apply moisturizer after your fake tan has set, use a non-comedogenic moisturizer that’s oil-free.
6) After about five hours, check on the color of your new spray tan in a well-lit room or outside under natural sunlight. If you see that your spray tan is uneven, contact the salon. Tell the stylist what happened and ask for a touch-up at no extra cost.
7) When showering after receiving a spray-on tan by a professional, use water and oil-free soap or body wash to cleanse your skin. Avoid using hot water and scrubbing too hard because it can affect the quality and fade your tan.
8) After about 24 hours, check on your spray-on tan to make sure that it looks natural and even. If you see any streaks or spots where the color is unevenly applied, contact the salon for a touch-up. Also, if you plan on having your spray-on tan touched up, make sure you make an appointment with the salon prior to your original appointment.
Final Notes
Water spots are a nuisance and a pain when they appear, but they can be remedied. However, the easiest method to prevent water spots is to avoid them from happening in the first place. Try to avoid getting water on your skin after you have a spray tan, so try not to sweat or get wet.
If the spots still appear, use bronzing powder for touch-ups – this way it will blend in with your natural tone and won’t look as obvious. Also consider moisturizing oil free lotion when needed to keep dry looking areas moisturized and your skin healthy.
Listen to the instructions given to you by the salon and adhere to the holy laws of spray tanning to guarantee that your tan is consistent, radiant, and genuinely natural appearing.
