Ahhh, damn. Why didn't I do something about this ages ago?

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

There must be something I can do.....

I'm getting married in 6.5 weeks and have these very obvious tan lines on my shoulders and across my chest.
What can I do?
It looks awful!

[Mamazon]

couple of weeks on a sunbed?

[LynetteScavo]

A low level tanning cream like Johnsons will sort it out - then a spay tan just before the big day.

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

I'm a bit scared of sunbeds Mamazon (although I used to use them quite regularly) I freckly, fair skin - even though I do tan quite well.

So, Lynette, do I just put the Johnsons on the white bits? I won't end up with different colour white bits will I? I saw a friend the other day who had done this and she ended up with brown lines, but she wasn't as tanned to begin with.

I suppose, if I give it a go, I've still got 6.5 weeks for the fake tan to fade if it looks awful......

[blondissimo]

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! It will get rid of the dead 'tan' skin cells and even out your skin tone generally. Do it once a week with a scrub. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding - I only have 3.5 weeks and feel so disorganised!!

[SixtyFootDoll]

exffoliate then put the tanning lotion all over, then spray tan day or two before the big day

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

ooops, just put the Johnsons on the white bits, we shall see (no exfoliating)
I don't want to get rid of the tan I already have but maybe I'll give exfoliating a go. What is the best thing to use? a loofah?

[Jewelsandgems]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I had the same thing but for a black tie function. I used St trop Everday and then had a spray tan and you could still see my lines (most obviously on my shoulders)

They were better but still there (mind you, I had a strapless dress, so this did not help)

[SilentBob]

Do not sunbed! My life, that way skin damage lies!

I would try to exfoliate and self-tan, followed by a spray tan, as others have suggested. Good luck!

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

No, I'm avoiding the sunbed SilentBob

What should I use to exfoliate with?

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

My wedding dress is strapless btw

[SilentBob]

I have some wicked exfoliating gloves- I think they were from The Body Shop, but am sure they will be all over the place in chemists and the like. If not, try to get some body scrub- Boots or again The Body Shop will have some.

[blondissimo]

I would recommend an exfoliating scrub - St Tropez do a good one - it's pricey but gives excellent results. I know you want to keep the tan, but to be honest, I think you would rather look a bit paler without the lines? When you exfoliate, massage the scrub in circular motions and then rinse off. Then use a moisturiser to keep your skin soft. Then go for a spray tan all over. If you try to "patch it up", it will just look wrong.
By the way I am a make-up artist and am also trained in beauty therapy - not just being a know it all!!

[fishie]

try a bit of holiday skin stuff on the white bits now to see whether it works or is terrible.

and do not let it get worse, cover up or bare the lot to try and even it out.

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

Ok, thanks for that I'll walk up to Boots later

I've pulled down the straps of my dress today. If I walk around with no straps for the next 6 weeks, will the lines blend in that way?

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

blondissimo - Could you recommend a cheaper version? Or is there nowt in the same league?

[fishie]

i had white feet and brown legs from running, it really didn't take long to even them out once i started wearing sandals, about 2 weeks at 2 hours exposure a day??

[blondissimo]

It would depend on your skin type - the St Tropez one is good for oily skin as it doesn't contain any oil, same would go for the Fake Bake exfoliator. Clinique also do a good one called Sparkle Skin, but again no good if you are on a budget. The best inexpensive one I've come across is a Tesco Finest one - can't remember the exact name but it is something like Vanilla Sugar Scrub. It is quite harsh so not good for sensitive skin, but leaves your skin ultra smooth.

[MadreInglese]

If you're going to go for a spray tan, have a practise one in the next couple of weeks to judge if you like the effect.

[LynetteScavo]

no - don't put Johnsons just on the white bits - put it all over...eventually, after lots of applications the white lines will fade.

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

My skin isn't oily or sensitive (not much anyway) - only my face is oily and sensitive but I'm not bothered about my face .
I'll have a look at those ones you mentioned. I'm no where near Tesco so will see what I can get in Boots

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

I've bought some Botanics Enlivening Body Polish...
Was going to go for the Sugar scrub stuff but this one looks fine.
Hopefully it'll work!

[blondissimo]

Let us know how you get on!

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

Ok, I used the body polish this morning plus I bought some of those gloves like SilentBob suggested so used those as well. Then stuck some body cream on.
I've been wandering around all day yesterday and today with my straps down. I'm sure the lines are blending in already - unless I'm imagining it

[jenk1]

i got 2 pairs of exfoliating gloves from primark for a £1, they are the same that Boots sell for nearly £2 for one pair.

i started experienting with fake tan a couple of months ago and i had a mishap with lots of streaks,i bought some body shop exfoliator but it didnt take the streaks away, BUT the cheapo gloves from primark did!!!! they took off streaks on my ankles as well.

i had strap marks and ive been using piz buin the one that lets you choose the colour its about £17 but its really good and ive tried a few over the summer and that one has looked the least orangey.

HTH

[blondissimo]

Agree with jenk1 - the Piz Buin tan is very good.
Winomore - glad to hear there is an improvement already - you will never know by the time the wedding comes.