
One of the main reasons people use self-tanner is to have a more natural looking tan, but sometimes it can go wrong. If you want to know how to remove self-tanner from hair, then read on! In this article we will discuss how to remove self-tanner from hair and how long it takes for them to be effective.
What Works Best for Removing Self-Tanner from your Hair
If you want to know how to remove self-tanner from hair, then there are a few different methods that can be used. Keep in mind that not all of them will work for everyone and it may take some trial and error before finding the best one!
- Aloe Vera Gel – Aloe Vera gel is great when trying to remove self-tanner from hair as it is a natural plant extract that will not strip the color out of your hair. To use, just rub some Aloe Vera gel into the affected area and leave for around five minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Repeat this process until you have removed all traces of tanning cream!
- Vinegar – Vinegar is another great way to remove self-tanner from your hair as it will not strip the color out of your locks. To use, combine equal parts vinegar and water together before applying to the affected area with a spray bottle. After leaving for around five minutes, rinse off normally with warm water until all traces have been removed.
- Baby Oil – Baby oil is another great way to remove self-tanner from hair. To use, just add a few drops of baby oil onto the affected area and leave for around five minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Repeat this process until you have removed all traces of tanning cream!
- Milk – Milk is a great way to remove self-tanner from hair as it will not strip the color out of your locks. To use, just add some milk into the affected area and leave for around five minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Repeat this process until you have removed all traces of tanning cream!
- Lemon – Lemon is another great way to remove self-tanner from your hair. To use, just mix some lemon juice and water together before applying it with a spray bottle onto the affected area for around five minutes before rinsing off normally. Repeat this process until you have removed all traces of tanning cream!
- Color neutralizer – If you are not looking to completely remove the color, but rather tone it down then using a hair color neutralizer may be the best option for you! You can usually find these at your local pharmacy or beauty supply store.
- Shampoos – You can try using a color safe shampoo. It is best to use something that will not strip the hair of its current color as this could cause your locks to go brassy or orange! These can usually be found at your local pharmacy or beauty supply store.
- Conditioners that contain sunflower seed extracts – These type of conditioners will help to remove self-tanner from hair without damaging or stripping it. They are also great if you want to leave the color on your locks!
- Fake tan remover – Fake tan remover can be found at most pharmacies or beauty supply stores. These are great as they will not strip the color from your locks, but also help to remove self-tanner!
Before trying any of these methods, you should always perform a patch test first to ensure that your hair is not sensitive. If after performing one of these treatments and there are no negative side effects (such as dryness or breakage), then it will be safe to use on the rest of your locks!
Just remember that each person’s hair may react differently to any of these treatments, so it may take a little bit of trial and error before finding the perfect one!

Above methods don’t work?
If the above methods don’t work, you can always visit your local salon and purchase a color remover shampoo. These are designed to strip out any unnatural colors that may be present in your locks!
Be careful however as these shampoos will not only remove self-tanner, but also other dyes! These can usually be found at your local pharmacy or beauty supply store.
How Long it Takes for them to be Effective
The time it takes for all of these treatments to be effective will vary depending on how long the self-tanner has been left in your hair. If you have just applied some and are trying to remove any excess, then it may only take around five minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
If however, there is a lot embedded into your hair or if tanning cream has been left in for one to two days, then it may require a longer treatment time. If you are looking at one of the more physical removal methods such as using baby oil or lemon juice, then you will need to leave this on for around five minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
How to Prevent this from Happening in the First Place
One of the best ways to prevent tanning cream build up is by washing your hair daily with a clarifying shampoo. This will get rid of any excess product and make it easier for you when trying to remove self-tanner from your locks!
To prevent this from happening in the first place, it is important to remember that self-tanner should never be left on your hair longer than one hour – even less time could result in tanning cream build up!
There are also other steps that can be taken to prevent this from happening, such as applying a leave-in conditioner before using self-tanner. This will help the application process go much more smoothly and also reduce the chance of product build up occurring in your hair!
Is it Safe to Use Those Products on Hair?
If you are looking to remove self-tanner from your hair, then it is extremely important that you only use natural products. Chemicals such as sulfates and parabens are not great for the health of your tresses, so it’s best to avoid them when trying to eliminate tanning cream build up!
On top of this, it is also important that you do not apply any of these treatments to the scalp. The tanning cream may contain chemicals or components that can irritate your skin and cause rashes! If there are visible signs of irritation on your head after applying one of these methods then seek medical advice immediately.
Related Questions
How often should you do this?
If you are looking at using one of the more natural methods then it is recommended that you try and do these treatments around once a week or so. This will ensure that your hair stays looking healthy and will not fade any color that you have previously applied.
If however, you are using a harsh chemical such as dish soap or lemon juice then it is recommended to do this once every few days so your locks do not become too dry!
What if this doesn’t work?
If you are looking at one of the more physical removal methods such as using baby oil or lemon juice, then it is recommended that you try and leave these on for around five minutes before rinsing off. This will help make sure all products have been removed from your hair! However, do not leave these on for too long as this can cause damage to your hair!
What if I don’t want to remove the color?
If you are simply looking at toning down or lightening your current self-tanning shade, then it is recommended to use a sunflower seed extract containing conditioner. This will help tone down any brassy or orange tones that may be present and will not strip the color from your locks!
What are some other tips?
If you want to ensure that your tan lasts for as long as possible, then it is recommended that you shower in cold water and try not to wash the product out too roughly.
It is also important to remember these methods may take a little while so be patient when performing them!
Which of these is the best method?
If you are looking at one of the more natural methods, then it is recommended that you use a sunflower seed extract containing conditioner. This will ensure that your hair stays healthy and will not strip any color from strands!
However, if you want to speed up this process or also remove excess product, then it is recommended that you use a clarifying shampoo. This will help reduce the amount of product build up, but should not be used on your scalp as this can cause irritation!

Final Thoughts
So, now you know how to remove self-tanner from hair! Remember that the product should never be left on your locks for more than an hour and always make sure you use a clarifying shampoo if using one of these methods.
If however, this does not work then try out one of our other suggestions such as sunflower seed extract containing conditioner. Or if you want to speed up the process and get rid of excess product, then try out a clarifying shampoo!
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