Magic erasers are used to clean scuffs and stains throughout the house, but did you know that many people swear by using magic erasers to remove a spray tan?
It might be one of the more unconventional ways to get rid of a patchy spray tan, and there are some who say that you should stay clear from using the harsh sponge on your skin.
Is using a magic eraser a good idea to remove a spray tan?
The answer to this depends on who you ask. Some swear by its effectiveness, and others warn you to stay away. You really won’t be able to decide for yourself until you have tried it out.
Here is everything you need to know about using a magic eraser to remove a spray tan, and whether you should try it or not.
What Is A Magic Eraser?
Magic erasers are made from melamine, an organic base of white crystals. When combined with other compounds, the melamine transforms into a plush foam, which is what a magic eraser is.
It has a sandpaper-like texture, but more on a microscopic level. It is used mainly to scrub off stubborn dirt from almost all surfaces.
In some cases, formaldehyde is added to a magic eraser. Mixed with melamine, it creates a tough resin where its toxic effects become neutralized. Because of its high tensile strength, a magic eraser is effective on certain tougher areas.
While it is not so much magic as it is chemistry, the magic eraser really is a wonder to keep in the household.
Why Would You Use A Magic Eraser On Your Skin?
A magic eraser used on the skin should essentially act as an exfoliator, removing the spray tan from the skin.
Spray tans use an ingredient called DHA. DHA is the chemical responsible for darkening the skin. It does this through a chemical reaction with the dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin. Once the reaction is complete, the dead skin cells are left a darker color, which is what gives the skin a tanned appearance.
Spray tans are not a color painted over the skin, but rather a translucent formula that reacts with and tans the skin, which is then washed off after development has finished.
Now, if you are wanting to remove a spray tan, you will need to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells that have been tanned by the DHA. The magic eraser helps to scrub the dead skin cells from your skin, much as it would dirt from a surface in your home.
Acting as an exfoliator, the magic eraser effectively scrubs your skin clean, removing old skin cells, product, and other impurities. This does seem like an easy way to get rid of an old spray tan, but the materials and compounds found in a magic eraser can be harsh on the skin, especially for those who do suffer from sensitive skin.
How To Use A Magic Eraser To Remove A Spray Tan
The key to using a magic eraser to successfully remove a spray tan is to be very gentle. In fact, it is best to do a small patch test to see how your skin reacts to it.
Dampen the magic eraser with some warm water, and gently rub it over the spray-tanned skin.
Do not overdo it, scrubbing too hard can actually remove healthy layers of skin, leaving what is left to be red, sore and irritated. Even if you feel like rubbing gently is not doing much, just trust that it will work.
The magic eraser blocks are activated when using water and are chemical-free, so they should not do damage to your skin if used properly.
It is important to note that excessive use of a magic eraser on the skin can cause lasting damage. Continued rubbing and pressure can break down and wear the skin, and do even more damage to delicate areas.
In time, this could lead to skin sagging, by breaking down the collagen and elastin in the surface areas of the skin. People over the age of 40 should be more wary of this than younger users.
When using a magic eraser to remove a spray tan, it is best used on drier and tougher areas, such as knees, ankles, and elbows. These areas have a tougher exterior, so there should not be too much resultant damage from using the magic eraser. Avoid using it on the face, arms, and legs if possible, as these areas can be more delicate.
Is It The Best Option?
This is very debatable. Some people have found such success removing a spray tan with a magic eraser. They find with a few gentle scrubs, their skin is back to its natural tone, with no spray tan coloring. It is a cheap and easy alternative to many spray tan removal products on the market.
While it might be lacking in giving your skin extra nourishment, you can do this yourself by using a gentle moisturizer to bring some extra hydration to your skin once you have scrubbed your spray tan away.
Acting as an exfoliator, just a little more vigorous, it does make sense that the magic eraser would effectively remove a spray tan.
On the other hand, there are quite a few people who have claimed the magic eraser has left their skin red and inflamed after use. Often, these complaints come from using the magic eraser on the face or sensitive areas of the skin, which is definitely not recommended.
If you are worried about the sensitivity or possible damage done by a magic eraser, do a test patch on a semi-hardy area of your skin. This will indicate how the rest of your skin will react.
Stick to the hardier, drier areas of skin, those with more build-up than others, and you should not have a problem.
For the more sensitive areas, you could use lemon juice, baby oil, or a specially made tan remover. Rather play it safe when it comes to the sensitive areas of your skin, as damage can be really painful and last for a good while.
While a magic eraser does indeed remove spray tan, it is probably not the best option for those looking for an answer to removing a spray tan from the whole body. It definitely is not suited for all areas of skin, and you will need to find another spray tan remover for the more sensitive areas.
For those really stubborn, tough areas of a spray tan, a magic eraser will answer your prayers!
Related Questions
How do I remove spray tan from the back of my hands?
You will not be able to scrub the back of your hands using a magic eraser, as this area of skin is super thin and sensitive. Instead, you should try wetting your skin slightly and add some baking soda onto the surface of the skin.
Rub the baking soda, which will turn into a paste when in contact with the water, into the darker areas. This will soften the color. Once it has been rubbed in for a little while, rinse it off with warm water. You might have to do this a few times, but it is a gentle way to remove the color from the back of your hands.
Why do spray tans turn orange?
The ingredient responsible for coloring your skin is dihydroxyacetone, DHA, if too much DHA is applied to the skin, the skin will turn an orange tone.
When applying self-tanner at home, the rule “less is more”, should always apply. You can always apply more self-tanner to your skin for a darker tone, but it is difficult to lighten a too-dark tan completely without ruining the tan altogether.
Will a spray tan fade evenly?
How evenly a spray tan fades will depend on the person’s skin condition, and how well the spray tan has been looked after. Spray tans are definitely not permanent and will begin to fade after 7 days.
How well-nourished your skin is, and the condition of your skin before the spray tan will determine how evenly the spray tan fades. If the spray tan is not fading evenly, it is a good idea to try to remove it using a gentle method, such as baby oil or lemon juice, and going in for another spray tan appointment.
The Magic Eraser
The debate still remains on whether or not a magic eraser is a good idea to remove a spray tan. While there is no doubt that it does effectively remove a spray tan, it might cause more harm than good by damaging the skin it is used on.
If you are set on trying a magic eraser to remove your spray tan, be sure to proceed with caution. Use it only on the tougher areas of your skin, and never rub it onto your skin too hard.
Caring for your skin is the best way to ensure a flawless spray tan, so avoid any damage where possible!
