Why Don’t My Legs Tan As Well?

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Are you finding it frustrating that you follow all the rules and tips for using a tanning bed, only to have your legs come out lighter and less tanned than the rest of your body?

You are not alone! The legs are more difficult to tan compared to the rest of the body, and this is due to several factors.

You do have to put a little more effort in and pay your legs some special attention to ensure your legs tan beautifully.

Why don’t legs tan as well as the rest of the body?

There are a few reasons why the legs do not tan as well as the rest of the body. This is because melanin production is lower in the legs. The skin on the legs is thicker and more resistant to UV light. Additionally, we tend to shave or wax our legs more often, which removes the tan from the top layer of the skin.

If you have difficulty tanning your legs, keep reading to find out more about why your legs don’t tan as well, and how you can give your legs a bronzed, even tan.

Why Is It Harder To Tan Legs?

Legs require more effort and time to tan compared to the rest of your body, and this is due to several factors.

Here are some reasons why it is harder to tan legs:s:

1. Melanin Production

Melanin is responsible for skin pigmentation, and the more melanin present, the darker the tan. UV rays help activate and aid in the production of melanin, which darkens the skin to produce a tan.

The problem is that the skin on your legs produces less melanin than other parts of your body, which is why it is harder to achieve a darker tan on your legs.

This means that your legs will always tan less than the rest of your body.

2. Skin Is Thicker

The skin on your legs is thicker than in other areas of your body, such as your abdomen and arms.

This thickness and the composition of the skin on your legs make it more resistant to UV light, meaning UV rays do not penetrate the skin on your legs as easily.

The skin on your legs is also often drier, so the outer layers are exfoliated more often, which then removes the tan you do have more easily.

Dry skin also does not tan as easily, which further adds to the problem.

3. Shaving And Waxing

If you shave and wax your legs frequently, you may be removing the tan you have. Shaving and waxing your legs exfoliates the outer layer of your skin, where your tan would typically be located.

By shaving and waxing, you are repeatedly removing your tan.

4. Tight Clothing

By wearing tight jeans and leggings, you might be hindering how well your legs tan. Skin needs some good air circulation to tan properly, and wearing tights and leggings could prohibit this.

These tight pants can also rub against the skin on your legs, and once again, exfoliate the tan off of your skin.

To achieve a better tan, opt for looser pants that will not restrict or rub against your legs as much.

Tips To Help Tan Legs

You do have to put in some extra effort to care for and tan your legs to ensure they look as tanned and bronzed as the rest of your body.

Follow these tips to help tan your legs more:

1. Exfoliate Your Legs

This sounds a little counterproductive, as we mentioned that one of the reasons your legs don’t tan as well is that you might shave or wax them, but deliberate exfoliation before a tan is crucial.

Exfoliate your legs with an exfoliating scrub the day before going into a tanning bed. This prepares the skin for a tan by leaving it soft and clean.

Take a look at our article for The Best Exfoliating Scrubs For Legs.

Moisturize Your Skin

It is essential to moisturize your skin and keep your legs hydrated and nourished.

As your legs tend to be drier than the rest of your body, especially around your knees and ankles, you may need to try moisturizing more often.

Moisturized, hydrated skin is able to tan more easily, and it also helps to retain a tan longer. We recommend an intensely hydrating lotion., such as this one from La Roche-Posay.

Do Not Wax Or Shave

Avoid waxing or shaving your legs up to two days after your self-tanning session.

By waxing or shaving your legs in the day or two after a tan, you will be removing the top layer of your skin, which is where the tan is, and the tan on your legs will fade much quicker than the rest of your body.

Use Bronzer On Your Legs

If your legs just refuse to tan as evenly as the rest of your body, consider using a bronzer (like one of our favorites from Onyx) to help even out your tan.

Try and choose a bronzer that is just a little bit darker than your skin tone, so that the bronze tan on your legs matches the natural tan on the rest of your body.

The bronzer will not last as long as the tan you get from a tanning bed, but it is easy enough to apply when you go out and just need a little bit more of a glow, only on your legs.

Use Tanning Accelerators/Lotions

You should always use an indoor tanning lotion (like this one from Supre Snooki) when using a Sunbed, but you might want to consider using a stronger tanning accelerator just for your legs.

This will help your legs make the most of the UV rays and absorb them more than the rest of your body, so they darken more quickly than the other areas.

You could also choose a tanning accelerator that contains a bronzer, so your legs are given an instant color while you work on building up the tan from there.

This also helps you develop a base tan to build on.

How To Care For The Tan On Your Legs

Not only should you prepare your legs for a tan, but you also need to care for your skin after spending time in a tanning bed to help your tan last longer.

Below are some things to keep in mind in the days following a tan, which also apply to using self-tanner on your legs:

1. Avoid Waxing And Shaving

Once again, waxing and shaving need to be done at the right time to avoid ruining your tan. Avoid waxing or shaving in the days following a tan.

You might want to wax or shave your legs a day or two before tanning so that you can stretch the period between waxing or shaving longer.

2. Wear Loose Clothing

Avoid tight pants that might rub against your skin. Wear loose-fitting clothing that allows your skin to breathe and prevents excessive sweating.

Additionally, avoid rubbing your legs too vigorously with a towel after showering or bathing, as this can also cause skin exfoliation and reduce your tan.

3. Keep Moisturizing

Moisturizing before a tan is important, but it is equally important to moisturize after a tan.

By keeping your legs hydrated and nourished, they will not peel or flake, which can cause your tan to fade.

Use a hydrating moisturizer on your legs twice a day, especially after bathing or showering, to lock in as much moisture as possible.

Final Thoughts

Don’t feel like you are doing something wrong if your legs refuse to tan to the same color as the rest of your body!

Legs are often harder to tan because there is less melanin, the skin on your legs is thicker and drier, and waxing and shaving frequently remove the top layer of skin, which can cause a tan to fade quickly.

There are several steps you can take to encourage your legs to tan more evenly, such as exfoliating your legs before tanning, applying moisturizer properly, and using a tan accelerator to help your legs catch up to the rest of your body.

If you can’t wait for your legs to catch up on tanning, then you can use a bronzer in the meantime for an instant bronzed glow!

Why Don’t My Legs Tan As Well?