Self-Tanners

Problem: I tried an expensive new self-tanner from Decleor at Neiman Marcus. It just smelled so much better than the one I was using from Coppertone. Now my palms are striped, one leg is darker than the other, and my knees and elbows look mottled!

Solution: Believe it or not, the Decleor product, though absurdly expensive, is not at fault for your chameleon dilemma. All self-tanners use the same ingredient, dihydroxyacetone, to create the color change in your skin. The scent of the Decleor product helps mask the naturally sweet smell of this ingredient, but the fragrance is temporary and fades in a brief period of time. Nonetheless, once the color is in place, it will take time to get your skin back to normal. Because self-tanners affect skin cells, it is virtually the cell itself that changes color. Sloughing will remove the altered skin cells, but at this point you can't quickly slough off all the layers of skin that have been affected. That takes time. A well-formulated AHA or BHA product can produce faster fading of mistakes, and you can try using a washcloth with your body wash, sugar scrubs, and a washcloth massaged over the problem areas twice a day-but time is the only real cure.

Once your skin is back to normal, you can try again. Remember, when it comes to self-tanners, application is everything! Be patient. Apply the self-tanner only over a clean, dry, exfoliated body, with special attention to the knees, elbows, and heels. Do not apply self-tanner in a steamy, hot room where perspiration or condensation may make it run. Do one area of your body at a time. Watch what you are doing, and apply the self-tanner thoroughly and evenly. If you miss an area, you will look noticeably streaked or blotchy. Wash the palms of your hands as soon as you are done applying the self-tanner, and then stand still until it is completely absorbed. Some women think that a fast-darkening self-tanner is best because it changes the skin's color immediately and you can see your mistakes and correct them. Others feel a self-tanner that changes color gradually is best, so you can build a tan slowly and evenly. The choice is yours.