# Applying fake tan lotion with your hands...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-fake-tan-lotion-with-your-hands/584241>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 3, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-fake-tan-lotion-with-your-hands/584241 "2011-06-03T20:28:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![isaiahrobinson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@isaiahrobinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isaiahrobinson)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-fake-tan-lotion-with-your-hands/584241/1 "2011-06-03T20:28:08Z")

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Do you have to use those gloves they sell, or can you use your hands as long as you wash them frequently during the application?

Any miscellaneous tips?

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**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-fake-tan-lotion-with-your-hands/584241/2 "2011-06-03T20:38:25Z")

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You can use your hands but wash frequently and SCRUB when done. Especially between the fingers, knuckles and along the nails.

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**Author:** ![isaiahrobinson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@isaiahrobinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isaiahrobinson)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-fake-tan-lotion-with-your-hands/584241/3 "2011-06-03T21:03:15Z")

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Will do captain. Also: how do you cover the back?

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**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-fake-tan-lotion-with-your-hands/584241/4 "2011-06-03T21:12:37Z")

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Okay, here is where I got a little…creative.

Ideally, some of the sprays (I liked Vichy) were light and continuous spray so you can do the back or you have a buddy help.

If not… I once took an old cotton sock and put the lotion on that and used the sock across my back to spread it…it worked fine believe it or not.