Maybe your self tan went wrong, maybe you have awkward tan lines you need to even out, or maybe you just want to start fresh. Whatever the reason, fading or removing a tan is totally doable. It just takes a bit of patience and the right approach. Here is everything you need to know.
How tanning works (so you understand how to undo it)
First, it helps to understand what you are working with. A natural sun tan is melanin in the upper layers of your skin. As your skin naturally sheds dead cells (a process called desquamation), the melanin-containing cells shed too, and your tan fades. This takes about 2 to 4 weeks on its own.
A self tan is DHA color in the outermost layer of dead skin cells. Since this layer sheds every 5 to 7 days, self tans naturally fade within a week. But they often fade unevenly, which is why you might want to speed up the process or even things out.
The strategy for removing either type is essentially the same: speed up the shedding of the colored skin cells through exfoliation and keep everything moisturized so the process is even.
Exfoliation: your main tool
Exfoliation is the single most effective way to fade a tan faster. By removing dead skin cells from the surface, you are literally removing the cells that contain the tan color.
Physical exfoliation: Use a body scrub with gentle granules or an exfoliating mitt in the shower. Work in circular motions over the areas you want to fade, applying moderate pressure. Be careful not to scrub so hard that you irritate your skin. Multiple gentle sessions are better than one aggressive one.
Chemical exfoliation: Products with AHAs (like glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid) dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, speeding up shedding. Apply an AHA body lotion after your shower and let it work overnight. This is gentler on your skin than physical scrubbing and can be more even.
Exfoliate every one to two days until the tan has faded to your desired level. Do not exfoliate daily on the same area, as this can lead to irritation and raw skin.
The long bath method
Soaking in warm (not hot) water for 20 to 30 minutes softens dead skin cells and makes them easier to remove. After soaking, gently rub your skin with a washcloth, exfoliating mitt, or even a dry towel. The softened cells will come off easily, taking the tan color with them.
For extra fading power, add a cup of baking soda to your bath. Baking soda is mildly alkaline and helps break down DHA color. Soak for 20 minutes, then exfoliate gently. This works particularly well for self tan removal.
Lemon juice for stubborn spots
Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that can help lighten dark or uneven patches. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water, apply to the area with a cotton pad, and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing. The citric acid helps break down pigment on the surface.
Do not use full-strength lemon juice on sensitive areas or broken skin, and always moisturize afterwards as it can be drying. Also, do not go in the sun with lemon juice on your skin, as it can cause photosensitivity and make things worse. Use this one indoors only.
Self tan removers
If you are dealing with a bad self tan, several brands make dedicated self tan removers. These are typically mousse or liquid formulas containing gentle acids that dissolve DHA color quickly. Apply, wait the recommended time (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then shower and exfoliate.
These are the fastest option for removing self tan, especially if it has gone orange, streaky, or way too dark. If your self tan went really wrong, our guide on self tanning technique can help you get it right next time.
Baby oil overnight method
Apply baby oil or coconut oil generously to the tanned areas before bed. The oil penetrates the dead skin cells and loosens the bond of the tan (both natural and self tan). In the morning, take a warm shower and gently exfoliate. The combination of oil softening and exfoliation is surprisingly effective.
This is one of the gentlest methods, so it is good for sensitive skin or for areas where you just want to lighten rather than fully remove.
Dealing with tan lines specifically
Tan lines are one of the most common reasons people want to fade a tan. The fix depends on whether you want to even out or fully remove.
To even out: Exfoliate the darker areas more aggressively while leaving the lighter areas alone. Or apply a light layer of self tanner to the lighter areas to match. Gradually, as both areas shed and you maintain with self tanner, the line will soften.
To fully remove: Exfoliate everything evenly and let time do its work. For quick fixes, our self tanning guide explains how to use self tanner to even things out temporarily.
How long does it take?
With active exfoliation and the methods above, you can noticeably fade a self tan in 2 to 3 days. A natural sun tan takes longer because the melanin goes deeper into the skin, usually 1 to 3 weeks of regular exfoliation. How fast your tan fades also depends on your skin type — darker Fitzpatrick types hold melanin longer. Take our skin type quiz if you are not sure where you fall, so you can set realistic expectations for your fading timeline.
Be patient and consistent. Trying to remove everything in one session will just leave you with raw, irritated skin that still has patchy color.
After you have faded your tan
Once your tan has faded to where you want it, moisturize intensively. All that exfoliation has removed a lot of dead skin, and your skin needs to rebuild its moisture barrier. Use a rich, fragrance-free moisturizer for a few days.
If you want to start fresh with a new tan (natural or self tan), wait at least 2 to 3 days after your last exfoliation session so your skin can recover. Then follow proper tanning techniques or self tan hacks for an even, beautiful result.
Prevention is easier than removal
The best way to avoid needing to remove a tan is to get it right the first time. For natural tanning, use SPF 30, rotate for even coverage, and avoid burning. For self tanning, prep properly with exfoliation and barrier cream, apply thin coats, and use a guide-color product so you can see what you are doing. If you nail the application, you will love your tan instead of wanting to get rid of it.
And for those times when you just want a reset, now you know exactly how to do it. Take it slow, be gentle with your skin, and you will be back to a blank canvas in no time.
Professional treatments for stubborn tans
If home methods are not working fast enough, there are professional options. Spray tan removal services at tanning salons use professional-grade products and techniques that can strip a self-tan in a single session. For natural sun tans, dermatologists can offer chemical peels that speed up skin cell turnover and fade pigmentation much faster than home exfoliation. Microdermabrasion is another option that physically buffs away the tanned outer layer. These are more expensive than home methods but significantly faster, especially if you need results for a specific event or occasion.
How your skin type affects fading speed
Your skin type plays a bigger role in how fast your tan fades than most people realize. Fitzpatrick Type I and II skin tends to lose tans relatively quickly because the melanin was never deeply embedded. You might find that consistent exfoliation fades a sun tan in seven to ten days rather than the typical two to four weeks. Types III and IV hold melanin longer, so expect the full two to four weeks with active exfoliation. Types V and VI retain tans the longest because their melanocytes are naturally more active and the pigmentation goes deeper into the skin.
Not sure what your type is? Take our skin type quiz to find out. Knowing your Fitzpatrick type sets realistic expectations for how long the fading process will take and helps you choose the right approach.
Fading a tan while protecting your skin
One mistake people make when trying to remove a tan is being too aggressive with exfoliation. Over-scrubbing damages your skin barrier, leads to irritation, redness, and can actually cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is the opposite of what you want. The key is consistency over intensity. Gentle exfoliation every other day is far better than one brutal scrubbing session.
During the fading process, continue using SPF 30 whenever you go outside. Your skin is losing its protective melanin layer, which means it is becoming more vulnerable to UV damage. Going outside without protection while your tan is fading is a recipe for uneven re-tanning or burning on the newly exposed lighter skin.
After your tan has faded to your desired level, give your skin a full week of intensive moisturizing before starting any new tanning routine. This recovery period ensures your skin barrier is fully restored and ready for even, healthy color. For a complete guide to safe tanning after a reset, check our tanning guide and use our tanning calculator to plan your new sessions based on current UV conditions.
