By Jane Ward

We all long for a healthy summer glow, but recent studies have shown that tanned skin shows just as much cell damage as burned skin. Fake tan is a useful alternative, but crusty elbows and streaky arms are a dead giveaway that your summer glow is straight out of a bottle. There are a few tricks to add into your tanning routine that can help minimise streaks and leave you with an even tan.

Find one that works for you

Fake tan comes in mousse and cream form which vary degrees in colour and shade. Most fake tans are invisible when they are  initially applied so the only way to know how they will look on you is to do a patch test. This way you can see how the tan looks after the colour has come up and you can also check you won’t have a reaction to it. It can take a few days for the colour to come off so it’s best to patch test an area of skin you can easily cover such as your upper arm.

Applying the Tan

Begin by scrubbing off any rough or dead skin using a loofah or body scrub. This helps the tan to last longer and go on more evenly. Self-tan dries quickly, so before you begin decide which areas of your body you are going to do first and in what order.

It’s best to start at your feet and work up to prevent streaks on the upper body. Apply the tan in circular motions to rub it in thoroughly and prevent streaks.

When you are applying the tan to rougher areas of skin such as your elbows, knees and hands you should mix the tanner with a moisturiser before applying it. Thinner and dryer areas of skin will absorb and hold on to more of the tan, by mixing it with moisturiser you are thinning the tan, it will also moisturise the skin as well so the tan doesn’t end up looking darker on dry patches.

If you are tanning your face make sure you apply an equal amount to your neck as mistakes in this area will be very obvious. Applying tan to your back can be tricky. If you’re not especially flexible and have trouble reaching aerosol fake tan would be a good option. These are sprayed on all over the body and absorb like fake tan.

After Applying

Immediately after application wash your hands, cuticles, in between your fingers and your knuckles thoroughly. If you want to prevent stained hands you could wear latex surgical gloves or a tanning mitt. The rubber gloves can be bought very cheaply in pound shops and tanning mitts are available in shops like Penneys for under €10.

You will need to leave it to dry for at least an hour, so you should avoid contact with fabrics that you don’t want to stain. The best thing to do is sit on an old towel somewhere you will have privacy.

Preserving the Tan

To top up your tan you will need to reapply it every few days however it will wear off faster on areas like your hands and face as you wash them more frequently, and underarms due to perspiration. Minor mistakes on the face and neck can be corrected with make up.

Removing Fake Tan

There are many myths and legends about the fastest way to remove fake tan i.e washing with toothpaste or lemons. Unfortunately even if these do work for you they are very harsh on your skin. The least damaging way to remove it is to use a grainy scrub such as a salt based one, wash the problem area frequently and wait patiently.

Finally

If you want to fake it but are nervous about trying fake-tans, moisturisers with a mild fake tan in them are a milder alternative.

If you’re worried about the chemicals in fake tan Irish brand Tan Organic offers a natural alternative. It uses an aloe vera juice base which is kind to skin and better still it’s made in Ireland so is designed for the Irish complexion.