# Help! How do I get rid of this fake tan? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 18, 2002, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666 "2002-06-18T08:04:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/1 "2002-06-18T08:04:14Z")
Sheesh, first thread I post here and it’s about something as trivial and banal as fake tan … ah well. I was already fairly tanned, but yesterday I got a bad sunburn when the weather turned unexpectedly Meditterannean. The lines of the top I’d been wearing were so clear it looked like they’d been drawn on in magic marker, so I thought hey, I’ll put on some fake tan and even it out. I’d heard that fake tans were meant to be much more natural-looking these days and those sprays looked like they’d leave less obvious smear patches. That part is true, it’s not smeared. But the colour is HORRIBLE! I’m not brown, I’m ORANGE! My legs are OK, and yes it did even out the tan lines, but my arms and hands look diseased. Yes, worst of all, some of the bloody stuff stained the palms of my hands too, and my fingernails are yellow. This weekend is a big party - well, every weekend is these days, but this is one I’m obliged to go to. My ex-gf will also be there. Actually, come to think of it, all three of my ex-gf’s will be there. So I really need to get rid of the orangeness, and aside from scrubbing myself with paint stripper and wearing gloves a la Madonna in the Lucky Star video, what can I do? ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/2 "2002-06-18T08:25:44Z")
Just replying to myself so that I can click on that email notification thing… ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/3 "2002-06-18T08:27:04Z")
Ooof. Sounds like you didn’t scrub your hands after applying the lotion. Most of these fake tan products don’t last too long–one to two weeks, tops. Your best bet is to shower daily and use a loofah/scrubby sponge and exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. You should be able to fade the orangeness by the weekend (perhaps not get rid of it entirely, but you won’t look freakish). ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/4 "2002-06-18T10:42:13Z")
Soak in a swimming pool (chlorine, y’know) This isn’t, probably, recommended… but when I dye my hair and get dye on my hands, I mix up a tiny bit of Quick Blue (cheap hair bleaching stuff) and rub it on my hands. Takes about 5 seconds and the color is gone. ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/5 "2002-06-18T11:30:20Z")
Having just seen myself and daylight, the situation is worse than I thought. I look like an oompa-loompa and frighten the children. So all suggestions will be tried out ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/6 "2002-06-18T11:35:27Z")
\*in daylight, of course. Think the stuff’s seeping through to my brain. ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Fluffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/7 "2002-06-18T13:34:28Z")
Where the skin is darkest palms, fingers etc. maybe put some hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball and rub it on these areas. I wouldnt do it all over, but for your hands it may help a bit! ---
**Author:** ![miamouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@miamouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miamouse)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/8 "2002-06-18T14:00:05Z")
Peel a grapefruit with your bare hands that should take care or your nails. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/9 "2002-06-18T16:41:19Z")
Mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on the hands, let it soak (or soak hands in it) for a few minutes then wash with soap/washcloth. My manicurist did this for me (the soak) and it removed the orange/reddish tint to my hands, sides of fingers, and nails with ease. I have also had success with a hot bath and using a STRONG exfoliant loofa or other scrub object. Not too harsh, i.e. brillo pad, or else you’ll tear your skin up. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/10 "2002-06-18T17:33:04Z")
In the movie, _The Wedding Planner_, a bride had the same problem and J Lo told her to use a mixture of salt and lemon juice and “scrub scrub scrub”. Don’t know if it’ll work, but it is another suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/11 "2002-06-18T17:44:04Z")
BTW IIRC the orange effect is not just on the surface. Depending on the formulation and whether taken in pill or rub on form your internal organs also get dyed orange as well. It’s not permanent (and assumedly not harmful) but the "tanning " effect of even the rub on stuff goes _way_ into the body. ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/12 "2002-06-18T18:10:14Z")
I’ve bathed and scrub scrub scrubbed, but there’s a limit to how much good exfoliation will do, as it only rubs away dead skin cells - don’t think any left to rub. I attacked the worst parts (hands and feet) with white spirit, which was all I had available, and that’s got some away. Guess I’d better get to the chemist’s for some petroleum oxide, and hope the venue on Friday has low lighting. 😕 Memo to self: Never, EVER use fake tan again! ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/13 "2002-06-18T18:26:04Z")
It’s only Tuesday. If you are wise, you will stop trying to treat yourself now. You may get chemical burns, a rash, or red tender skin that will bring attention to your unusual coloring, as well as cause your body damage. I’d recommend not doing **anything** until Thursday night. It may have faded some, and if it hasn’t your skin will be in good condition for an exfoliation at that point. If you must, you can repeat again on Friday. Dead or damaged skin will highlight the coloration you’ve applied. Healthy skin will minimize its effects. Keep the skin healthy and don’t overtreat, or you’ll look like a corpse on Friday. Trust me on this. ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/14 "2002-06-18T18:41:58Z")
You’re right, Scylla, and I’m not doing anything more tonight. But I had to get a bit of the worst away, or I couldn’t leave the house! ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/15 "2002-06-18T21:03:26Z")
Moisturizing can also help dilute the impact of the self-tanner you used (assuming it was also a lotion or spray). Put on lots of lotion after exfoliating-- it’s helped me get rid of bad fake tanner stuff before, more than once. Also be sure to drink lots of water during this time (well, and always, ideally). It has a huge impact on your skin, letting it regenerate itself more easily. ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/16 "2002-06-18T22:07:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by QueenAl \* > \*\*I look like an oompa-loompa and frighten the children. \*\* Ok, I say we start working on a worse case senerio. If the orange-ness is just as bad, I say you should mousse your hair into a peak and get yourself some overalls, and big shoes. Say you THOUGHT it was a costume party, and break into “Oompa-loompa doopma-dee doo, I’ve got another puzzle for you…” I got nothing, other than hot, long baths. ---
**Author:** ![Winnowill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@Winnowill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnowill)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/17 "2002-06-18T23:22:43Z")
As a blue-eyed redhead who fears the sun, I use self-tanner to good effect regularly. The tricks (which I’ve discovered through long, hard experience) are these: [ul] [li]Buy a good one. Lancome, Estee Lauder - some high-end brand. The grocery store house brand won’t cut it.[/li][li]Don’t go overboard with it. It’s easy to apply more, but difficult (as you’ve found) to remove it.[/li][li]Be very careful - a good mousse type or spray will go on smoothly, but you still have to make sure you don’t miss any spots. And, if you have to reapply, reapply everywhere. Otherwise, you wind up with obvious lines.[/li][li]As soon as you’re done applying, thoroughly wash your hands (and your feet, for good measure - this stuff NEVER looks right on feet). Then wash 'em again. What the heck - wash 'em a third time. VERY important. Especially the hands. [/ul][/li]And good luck getting rid of what you’ve got! ---
**Author:** ![QueenAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/d26b3c/32.png) [@QueenAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QueenAl)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/18 "2002-06-19T09:28:12Z")
Thanks for the tips Winnowilll. I think the problem was that I put too much on, and although I did wash my hands, I obviously didn’t wash them enough. The shade is annoying though, as this is a reasonably good brand (Nivea, the best one they had in my local shop). The worst thing is that I had to miss going to the gym this morning because everyone would have seen the streaky bits! (There are some, after all). This is like divine retribution for my vanity. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/19 "2002-06-19T14:21:31Z")
Do I sense a market niche to be exploited? **Whiter-than-my-butt** in a can? My only other solution would be to drink heavily. Of course, it won’t do anything about your coloration, but at least you would be drunk. Does anyone know what the effect would be if the **Queen** tried getting more sun between now and the party? Would that “even her out,” or exacerbate the stripedyness? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666/20 "2002-06-19T14:23:04Z")
And I do believe photos are in order! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-fake-tan/114666.md?page=2)