Why is my fake tan dotty?

A patchy, streaky or dotty fake tan often means you’ve missed a ‘prep step’ in the run up to your treatment. Preparing your skin for your fake tan encourages an even, long-lasting glow so it’s well worth examining your pre-tan routine to check where you might have gone wrong.

Dotty fake tans usually occur if you’ve waxed or shaved too close to the day of your tan. Waxing and hot steam from a shower open up the pores — if you apply fake tan to the skin immediately, the product can seep in and create a dotty or spotty effect.¬†Pollution, oily skin, make-up, sun damage and genetics can also play a part in enlarging the pores.

Here’s how to prevent a dotty fake tan in the future:

1. Shave or wax at least 24 hours before you plan on fake tanning to give your pores plenty of time to close up.
2. Avoid taking a hot bath or shower on the day of your treatment because the warmth of the water can also open up your pores. Perhaps try taking a cooler shower or blast your skin with cold water for a few seconds at the end of your bath to encourage your pores to close up (some people even recommend putting something cold against your skin like a bag of frozen peas!).
3. Exfoliate your skin regularly to get rid of dead skin and prevent it from blocking your pores. Also remove your make-up every night and maintain a good skincare routine to help reduce the their visibility. Splash your face with cold water before you apply fake tan to encourage a flaw-free glow across your chin and cheeks.
4. Use a tanning mitt to apply your fake tan. The textured surface of the mitt will absorb and ‘hold’ the product making it virtually impossible for you to apply too much fake tan to one area. This will prevent excess fake tan from seeping into your pores.
5. Select a tanning mousse with a lightweight formula over a lotion. The aerated texture of a mousse makes it easier to blend into the skin and it doesn’t have the same heaviness of a traditional cream-based tanner.
6. Always wear sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage, like discolouration, that can make your pores appear larger.