Self-tanner can be a lifesaver, especially during the winter months.
It’s a great way to get that sunkissed, bronzed beach bunny look without having to be exposed to harmful UV rays.
And although self-tanner is relatively easy to apply, you may find yourself running into trouble when it comes to tanning your back, especially if your friends or partner aren’t around to help out!
While it can be tricky, it’s totally possible to apply self-tanner to your own back.
In this article, we’ll share some tips and tricks to help you get a bronze back in no time.
How Self Tanner Works
When you apply a self-tanner to your body, you need first to understand what it really is.
Self-tanners, also known as fake tanning solutions, are moisturizers, oils, and sprays that are considered a healthier alternative to sunbathing since they do not subject the body to UV rays, which is a significant risk factor for skin cancer.
Another benefit is that you may use them in the comfort of your own home and it only takes a few minutes.
The primary ingredient in these items is DHA, commonly known as dihydroxyacetone.
It functions by interacting with dead skin cells on the top layer of skin, gradually changing the skin tone to deeper tones that resemble a tan.
However, the impact is just temporary since the skin constantly loses dead cells.
If you want to keep the tan effect, you should repeat the tanning method every 3-5 days.
Related: b tan tanned af oil
Prep Your Skin
Take a little time to ensure your body is the ideal blank canvas for your finest ever tan.
Shower and scrub to eliminate flaky skin, paying special attention to dry regions (like elbows, ankles, and knees).
Exfoliate your entire body – not just your back – if you want your tanning efforts to look even.
It’s because self-tanners have a tendency to penetrate very deeply into flaky skin, resulting in a smudgy look that you wouldn’t want; you would like a consistent, lovely outcome.
Make sure to exfoliate your skin with a high-quality exfoliator.
If you want to take your preparation to a whole new level, we’d recommend exfoliating your body roughly 12-24 hours before you apply the self-tanner.
This can help to give your skin time to increase in firmness which can result in a more even and consistent tan that glides on with ease.
Further Reading: Does Isle of Paradise Stain Sheets
How To Tan Your Back With Self Tanner
Now that you’re all prepped and ready, it’s time to jump in and start tanning!
We understand just how hard tanning your own back can be, so use some of our tips below to help you.
Be Resourceful
You don’t have to go out and buy any new and fancy tanning tools to get the job done, as we can guarantee you have some things lying around your home that can double up as a back self-tanning tool.
Look for something long with a handle (a wooden spoon or a spatula works great) and slide your self-tanning mitt over the large end of the object.
To keep your mitt firmly in place and to prevent it from sliding off mid-tanning session, grab a hair tie, elastic band, or food clip and use it to attach your mitt to your chosen object.
And Voila! You now have a DIY back self-tanning tool. If using a kitchen utensil, be sure not to use it to prepare food again.
Instead, buy another, and keep the one you use as a dedicated back tanning tool.
Buy A Back Tanner
Back applicators come in a variety of shapes and colors. They let you achieve seamless coverage whether you’re cleansing or tanning.
Tan is a must for people who love to show off their toned back! But how can we get there from behind for a perfect finish?
For a smooth application, go for a wand with a gloved end. All you have to do is stretch your arm behind you and utilize the wand.
Another alternative is to use a regular tanning applicator. You can acquire a faultless application with just a few motions and an extension of your arms.
Back applicators can be purchased for less than $20 online. Apply moisturizer using the back applicator first.
After that, smear some tanner onto the wand or mitt. Be sure not to rub too hard or apply too much pressure as you’ll be left with a streaky, patchy finish.
Use A Non-Absorbant Band
In addition to self-tanning back tools such as wands, you can utilize a non-absorbent strap as a back self-tanning option.
It resembles a long length of material that may be held on either side.
Unlike with the conventional applicator, you could effortlessly incorporate the lotion into your back with a non-absorbent band.
It is less accurate, but it produces a gentler, softer balance than an applicator.
If you find it difficult to reach around your back with a wand applicator, a non-absorbent strap with grips on either side that you hold with each hand and use to massage vertically and horizontally your back will be more convenient.
If you don’t want to fork out any money on buying a non-absorbent band, we understand. Luckily, there’s a cheap alternative.
Grab some plastic wrap – the kitchen kind – and apply a thin layer of tan to a large sheet of it.
Lay your back down onto the plastic wrap, then toss the wrap in the trash. It won’t absorb the product, so it should apply the tan to your back seamlessly.
Ask A Friend
Perhaps the simplest approach to administer self-tanner to your back is with the assistance of a pal or another person.
You may discover that no matter how hard you try or even how many various strategies you adopt, self-tanning your back is extremely difficult.
When you invite a friend to assist you with self-tanning your back, it might be quite beneficial for them to have a greater range of movement.
Even if you do succeed in self-tanning your back, it can be difficult to tell exactly what you’re doing and how well you’ve blended it, and so on.
This is definitely the ideal way if you want to prevent streaking or patchiness because you can be sure that another person will administer the proper amount of pressure without smudging the tan.
If you’re curious, tanning your own back is actually pretty difficult to control because you’re just concerned with stretching far enough.
Bottom Line
Tanning your back isn’t easy, and it can feel pretty impossible if you don’t have someone to help you.
Don’t wear yourself out by performing bathroom yoga and stretching doggedly to tan your back. Instead, use our tips above to make the process a little easier.