Does self tanner darken age spots?

Does it darken the spot or just the surface?

Most self tanners use dihydroxyacetone, called DHA, which reacts with amino acids at the skin's surface to create color. Age spots, also called solar lentigines, involve increased melanin, the skin's pigment, after sun exposure. These are different sources of color: a darker appearance after applying tanner does not by itself mean the underlying age spot has permanently darkened. Self tanner adds color rather than erasing existing spots, so the word "even" on the bottle is doing a lot of work.1345

How long will the added color last?

DHA color usually starts developing around one hour after application and becomes most prominent after 8 to 24 hours. It normally lasts three to ten days and resists soap, water and sweat better than a wash off bronzer. Judge the finished color after it has developed, rather than adding another layer immediately. Uneven results can come from application technique, the formula or the applicator. How often you need to reapply depends partly on the body area; there is no single schedule for every area.2

How should you apply it for even coverage?

Follow the product's label directions and use this general application sequence:

1. 1Exfoliate before applying. Use a washcloth or an exfoliating product to remove dead surface cells, spending a little more time on thicker skin at the elbows, knees and ankles.
2. 2Dry your skin completely. Dry skin helps the tanner go on evenly.
3. 3Apply in sections, such as arms, legs and then torso. Massage the product into the skin with circular movements.
4. 4Wash your hands with soap and water after each section to prevent staining your palms.
5. 5Blend lightly from wrists onto hands and from ankles onto feet. Dilute the tanner over elbows, knees and ankles with a damp towel or a thin layer of lotion on top.
6. 6Wait at least 10 minutes before dressing. For the next three hours, wear loose clothing and avoid sweating.
7. 7Continue daily sunscreen. Choose SPF 30 or higher, protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and water resistance.

Who should be careful with self tanner?

Self tanner can cause dryness, irritation or contact dermatitis, an inflammatory skin reaction. Formulation additives can aggravate eczema or rosacea. Check the ingredient list for anything you already know you are sensitive to. Avoid DHA during pregnancy because its effects have not been widely studied. Keep DHA away from the eye area, lips and other moist internal surfaces, and do not inhale or swallow it. Creams and lotions make avoiding inhalation easier than sprays.123

What if you want the age spots to fade?

Have a dermatologist confirm that the marks are age spots before treating them. Other growths, including skin cancer, can look like age spots. Fading creams and lotions generally require daily use for weeks or months; procedures such as lasers and chemical peels tend to work faster but cost more and carry greater risks of side effects. Sun protection matters because age spots can return after treatment. Seek shade, cover skin with clothing and apply sunscreen to uncovered skin before going outside.5

How can you darken your skin?

For cosmetic color without UV exposure, choose a DHA self tanner or a temporary bronzer. A bronzer behaves like makeup and washes off over time, so the color comes with an exit strategy. Sunbathing and tanning beds expose skin to UV radiation; indoor tanning still carries a skin cancer risk even when exposure instructions are followed. Tanning pills are unsafe and are not FDA approved. A sunless tan is not sunscreen: the appearance of a tan does not supply sun protection.13