How to Self Tan Hands

Achieving a natural-looking self-tan on your hands requires careful technique. Follow these steps for a flawless, sun-kissed glow:

1. Exfoliate: Start by exfoliating your hands to remove dead skin cells. This ensures even self-tanner application and prevents streaking (Reference 1).
2. Moisturize: Apply a small amount of moisturizer to your hands, focusing on drier areas like knuckles, palms, and wrists (References 6, 7, 11). This creates a barrier and prevents the self-tanner from absorbing too heavily in those areas. This is especially important since these areas are prone to appearing darker than the rest of the hand (Reference 5).

Application Techniques

3. The Right Amount: Use a very small amount of self-tanner. A little goes a long way, particularly on hands. (Reference 11)
4. Blending is Crucial: Gently blend the self-tanner using light, sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing (Reference 3). Pay close attention to the areas between your fingers and around your knuckles (Reference 8). Consider spreading your fingers like claws, it may seem unusual but helps (Reference 7).
5. Targeted Application: Focus on areas that naturally tan more easily, leaving the palms and the very tips of your fingers relatively untouched (Reference 7, 10).
6. Strategic Product Placement: Apply slightly more self-tanner to the back of your hands than to the palms, for a more natural look (Reference 11).

Post-Application Care

7. Wash your hands immediately: After applying self-tanner to your hands, immediately wash your palms thoroughly with soap and water. This removes excess product and prevents the palms from getting too dark (References 5, 11).
8. Wait: Allow the self-tanner to fully develop before washing your hands again. Check the product's instructions for the recommended development time.

Addressing Common Issues

• Uneven Tan: If you experience uneven tanning, a gentle exfoliation and reapplication can help correct it.

• Dark Palms: Applying a thin layer of lotion to your palms before applying the self-tanner helps prevent overly dark palms.

• Streaky Hands: Ensure proper blending and use a minimal amount of self-tanner.

Following these steps will help you achieve beautifully tanned hands without looking unnatural. Remember to always test a small area first and follow the instructions on your chosen self-tanner product.