Getting rid of farmers tan

terriljones

I have a very slight farmers tan, ie my upper arms are slightly paler than my chest and forearms from walking dogs in short sleeves all summer. but no line. Getting married in 2 weeks and 2 days and was already planning to go in for a couple tanning bed sessions to refresh the little bit of color I have(don't want to look too dark). How do I make sure my chest and arms don't just continue getting darker than my upper arms? More tanning lotion on those areas? I know nothing about tanning beds! Thanks

RebeccaFlower

I think you'll naturally even out, but I'm not sure about that. If you haven't done tanning beds before, I would caution you to be extremely careful so close to your wedding. You really should have tanned a few weeks ago instead of only two weeks in advance. 

theartistformerlyknownas

You'll naturally even out. But please be VERY CAREFUL not to burn! Go by the guidelines inside the bed that say to start at like 5 minutes or something.

I really like this self tanner lotion from Bath and Body Works:

msuprincess04

I'd suggest a spray tan (by a person not a machine) instead of  tanning bed. They can concentrate on areas you need them to and go lighter on the arms. They'd have an easy job of evening you out without streaks or risk of burn.

doeydo

I would wear lots of  50 SPF sunblock on your tan areas and go lie out in the sun so your paler areas can get more sun.  Also, try wearing different types of shirts that don't cover the same spots all the time.  

PrettyGirlLost

Skip the cancer-bed and get a spray tan, imo.

theartistformerlyknownas

doeydo said:

I would wear lots of  50 SPF sunblock on your tan areas and go lie out in the sun so your paler areas can get more sun.  Also, try wearing different types of shirts that don't cover the same spots all the time.  

I do NOT recommend this. At all. Especially if it's only a faint line. You'll either not match the line up perfectly and end up with a stripe, or you'll end up burning the paler parts and have the opposite problem of what you have now, or both.

Trust me. I've tried it. It's not worth it.

missdelilah

I have the same problem regarding my engagement photos.  We still haven't taken them.  Everyone I spoke with suggested spray tan, which is a pain, because I like being pale, but oh well.  If it must be done, it must be done.

MW5280

OP - we are in the same boat! I did a great job of staying out of the sun and avoiding bad/weird lines all summer...until I went to church in the park 3 weeks ago.

I totally didn't think about being in the sun for an hour wearing a scoopneck shirt! 

My solution: a few weeks of low/short time in the tanning beds. It was glaring scoopneck lines all over the place and there's no way I'll be able to get enough time outside to fix it.

I would've started sooner but I wanted the crazy burn to be gone before I tried to fix it.

Good luck, OP! I'm sure you will be beautiful on your wedding day, farmers tan or no!