The Tan prep mistake that shortens colour life dramatically

You can do perfect spray tan preparation, book the right shade, moisturise in all the “right” places - and still watch the colour drop off by day three. The culprit is often uneven exfoliation, especially when you scrub hard in the shower and miss the dull, grippy patches that actually need the most attention. It matters because your tan doesn’t “fade”; it breaks up where the skin underneath is shedding at different speeds.

I’m in a steamy bathroom, towel on my head, doing that brisk pre-tan body scrub that feels productive. Elbows get sanded to within an inch of their lives, shins get a quick pass, and ankles are basically ignored because you’re already thinking about dinner. The next morning, the tan looks lovely… until it doesn’t. By day two, your wrists are pale again and your knees are clinging on like old varnish.

The mistake: exfoliating hard, not evenly

Most people treat exfoliation like a deep clean: more pressure, more product, job done. For a spray tan, that mindset backfires. What you need is a smooth, consistent canvas, not a few over-polished zones next to patches of dead skin that haven’t been touched in weeks.

Uneven exfoliation creates a patchwork of “absorption” and “resistance”. Rough, thicker areas (ankles, knees, elbows, knuckles) grab more DHA and develop darker; areas you’ve scrubbed too aggressively can end up lighter and fade faster because you’ve thinned the top layer and irritated the skin. The result is a tan that looks great in the mirror under one light, then starts to separate into map-like borders as soon as you moisturise and get on with life.

How to spot it before you tan

You can usually feel it with your hands, but there are a few tells that show up fast. Look for zones that are either shiny-smooth (overdone) or slightly gritty (under-done), and don’t forget the places you don’t stare at daily.

• Ankles and tops of feet: often dry, often skipped.
• Knees and elbows: frequently over-scrubbed, then go too dark or go patchy.
• Shins: can be deceptively dry even when they look “fine”.
• Underarms and inner thighs: friction zones that shed differently.
• Hands and wrists: where tan wears first if the prep was uneven.

If you’ve ever had your tan “crack” around the ankle bone or disappear in rings on your wrist, that’s usually prep, not the solution.

Why this shortens colour life dramatically

A spray tan sits in the upper layers of the skin. Those layers are meant to shed, and they don’t shed uniformly across the body. When your exfoliation is inconsistent, you amplify that difference: some areas are primed to shed sooner, others are still clinging to old, dry skin that will slough off in chunks.

That’s the dramatic part. Instead of a gentle, even fade over 5–7 days, you get an early break-up: pale bands, dark stuck-on patches, and that “why is my tan gone already?” feeling by midweek.

The fix: make exfoliation boring and balanced

The goal is not to feel squeaky-clean. The goal is to have the same level of smoothness everywhere, with extra care in the places that typically misbehave.

Here’s a simple approach that keeps you out of trouble:

• Exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment (not right before bed if you’re going to shave and irritate skin).
• Use a gentle mitt or scrub with light, consistent pressure.
• Do a “route” so you don’t miss bits: feet → calves → knees → thighs → bum/hips → arms → torso.
• Spend more time on ankles/feet and shins, not more force.
• Treat elbows and knees like delicate fabric: brief passes, then stop.

If you want one rule that saves most tans: even pressure beats intense pressure every time.

What to do after exfoliating (so you don’t undo it)

This is where people accidentally recreate texture. Long hot showers, harsh body washes, and heavy oils can all change how the tan develops and wears.

• Rinse thoroughly to remove scrub residue (especially around ankles and wrists).
• Pat dry; don’t rub your skin raw with a towel.
• Moisturise lightly if you’re prone to dryness, but avoid thick, oily layers the night before.
• If you shave, do it after exfoliating, using a fresh razor and gentle gel to minimise irritation.

The point is to keep the skin calm. Irritated skin sheds sooner, and sooner shedding means shorter colour life.

A quick pre-appointment checklist (that actually holds up)

You don’t need a 12-step routine. You need a consistent base and fewer surprises.

• Exfoliate evenly the day before.
• Avoid deodorant, perfume, and body oils on the day.
• Wear loose, dark clothing to the appointment.
• If you moisturise, keep it to dry zones only, and do it sparingly.

“Think of it as levelling a floor, not polishing a countertop,” a therapist once told me. The tan can only look as even as what it lands on.

FAQ:

• Should I exfoliate on the day of my spray tan? It’s usually better 24 hours before, so the skin settles and any micro-irritation calms down.
• What if I’ve already over-exfoliated my elbows and knees? Keep those areas lightly moisturised (not greasy) and tell your tanner; they can use barrier cream and adjust application.
• Is a scrub or an exfoliating mitt better? Either can work. The key is gentle, consistent pressure and not skipping ankles, feet and shins.
• Why does my tan fade first on my hands and wrists? Frequent washing plus uneven prep around wrists and knuckles makes them shed and lighten sooner than the rest of the body.
• Can uneven exfoliation cause dark patches too? Yes. Areas left rougher can grab more colour and then shed unevenly, leaving patchy, darker remnants.