How to Get Rid of an Annoying Farmer's Tan Fast

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Best ways to fade awkward tan lines so you have an even color
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If you forgot to wear sunscreen after a long, sunny day outside, you’ve probably developed a farmer's tan on your arms, face, and neck. These tan lines are unwanted and could stick around for the rest of the summer, leaving it hard to wear certain clothes that make the odd tan lines visible. While it may take a week or two to remove unwanted tan lines naturally, it’s possible to speed up the process. We talked to licensed dermatologist Mohiba Tareen to bring you the best advice, so take a look at the tips below to learn how to restore your skin’s even tone and say goodbye to that farmer's tan.

What is a farmer’s tan and how can you get rid of one?

A farmer’s tan is a suntan with awkward tan lines around the shoulders, chest, or thighs and is usually the result of wearing a shirt or shorts in the sun for long periods. You can get rid of a farmer’s tan by exfoliating, applying aloe vera, and wearing sunscreen.

Section 1 of 3:

Fading a Farmer's Tan

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    Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, which can help get rid of awkward tan lines faster. When the dead skin cells are scrubbed off, your tan can lighten and restore your skin tone. Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser or scrub with a loofah . [1]
    • How often you exfoliate depends on your skin type and sensitivity. Stop exfoliating if your skin becomes red or irritated.
    • It may take several exfoliation treatments before you begin to notice a difference, so be patient.
    • Avoid using a loofah if you have a sunburn, as it could damage your skin.
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    Aloe vera gel is proven to help rejuvenate skin and promote healing. [2] All you have to do is apply 100% pure aloe vera gel to your farmer’s tan and leave overnight. Wash the gel off in the morning, and continue repeating the nightly process for the best results.
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    Taking a bath with whole milk could help naturally exfoliate and soften your skin, helping the farmer’s tan fade faster. The milk in the water can help soften dead skin cells and make them easier to fall off, resulting in a more even tan. Draw a bath and add a cup or two of milk to the warm bath water. [3]
    • Stay in the bath for no longer than 15 or 20 minutes.
    • The best milk for this DIY solution is whole 2% milk from a cow, as milk alternatives may not have the same effect.
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    Some people have found success using this method to fade tan lines, although it isn’t officially tested by dermatologists, so proceed with caution. It may work because lemon juice is a natural skin brightening agent and sugar has exfoliating properties. [4] For this remedy, cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice in with some sugar. Apply the mixture to a washcloth or your fingertips, and rub it against your skin using circular motions.
    • Avoid the sun for at least an hour after doing so, or you may get a darker tan.
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Section 2 of 3:

Evening Out a Farmer's Tan

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    This is the safest way to disguise a farmer’s tan! Simply choose a self-tanning product with an added moisturizer that’s a light tone, as this can help blend in any awkward tan lines. Then, use the product on your non-tanned skin as instructed on the packaging. [5]
    • It may be tempting to match the self-tanner to your tanned skin areas, but if the colors don’t match up exactly, it could make your tan lines more obvious.
    • Gradual self-tanners take about one week to work, but they will look the most natural.
    • If you don’t like how the self-tanner looks, don’t worry! Tareen suggests removing it by rubbing on white vinegar, letting it sit for 10 minutes, and then rinsing.
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    Spray tan specialists use an airbrush to gently apply fake tan to blend in your skin tones in a semi-private atmosphere. These tans can last about 2 weeks and fade away at the same rate as your natural tan. [6] Find a specialist near you by searching “spray tan near me” online.
    • This is a good option if you don't feel confident in applying your own fake tan.
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    Tanning beds can create a consistent, full-coverage tan all over your body. While this is a good way to conceal a farmer’s tan and even your skin tone, it’s also the most risky. Tanning beds emit the same UV rays as the sun, which can lead to skin damage and cancer, so use them at your own risk. [7]
    • In a tanning bed, you can control which areas of your skin are exposed to UV rays and for how long. This allows you to match the tone of your skin more accurately.
    • Find a tanning bed salon near you by searching “tanning bed near me” online.
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Section 3 of 3:

Preventing a Farmer's Tan

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    The best way to protect your skin and stop unwanted tan lines from forming is to wear SPF 30 or higher. Tareen notes, even after you get a tan, continue applying sunscreen to protect your skin (and so your tan lines don’t become even darker).
    • It takes 30 minutes for sunscreen to absorb into your skin and start protecting you. [8]
    • If you know you are going to be outside in the sun all day, continuously apply sunscreen to your exposed skin every hour to prevent a farmer’s tan.
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    Odd tan lines happen when you have long sun exposure in a specific cut of clothing. By mixing up what you wear, you can expose different parts of your skin to the sun and help even your skin tone. [9]
    • Try alternating between a tank top and a T-shirt to avoid getting a tan line across your arm and neckline.
    • Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeve shirts or pants to protect your skin from the sun.
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    As Tareen says, “The most natural way to fade a sun tan is to reduce the amount of sun exposure to the skin.” The sun and its powerful UV rays are at their strongest during the afternoon hours. Because of this, it’s easier to tan or burn between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM. If you find yourself outside during these hours, try standing in the shade as much as possible. [10]
    • If shade isn’t an option, try protecting your skin with clothing or sunscreen.
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      • When out in the sun, don't say in one spot. Instead, move around so you decrease the possibility of getting a bad burn on one part of your body.
      • Try using a turmeric face mask to even out a tan on your face. It helped me a lot!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
      3. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/milk-bath
      4. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/homemade_sugar_scrubs_for_skin_care
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/apply-self-tanner
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-spray-tans-safe
      7. ↑ https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/tanning/
      8. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P01351
      9. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/prevention/
      1. ↑ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/uv-protection.html
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-sunburn

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get rid of a farmer’s tan, exfoliate your skin every day to remove the top layer of dead skin cells and make your tan fade faster. You can also add whole milk to a warm bath and soak for 5 minutes to soften your skin and speed up the removal of dead skin. To enhance your skin’s turnover, squeeze half a lemon into some sugar and rub the mixture onto the tanned area in circular motions. If you can still see the tan line, consider using a moisturizing self-tanner on the untanned area so the line isn’t as obvious. For tips on how to choose the best exfoliant and self-tanner for your skin type, read on!

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