3 Reasons Behind Tan-less Legs (And Some Tips for Combatting Them)

With summer now being in full swing, many people are really hoping to get a full-body bronze. A common and continuous struggle, however, is maintaining a tan on the legs or even getting one in the first place. Whether you want to soak up the sun's natural rays or go to the tanning salon or opt for a spray tan instead, there are a few key, scientific reasons as to why legs are reluctant to take the tan.

Uneven Melanin Production: Melanin is the catch-all term for the naturally-occurring pigments that produce color in our bodies. It is responsible for haircolor, eye color, and most especially skintone. Naturally, people with different skintones and colorings have differing amounts of melanin within them. However, different parts within the same body also hold different amounts of melanin. For example, the face tends hold quite a bit of melanin, especially on the cheeks or at the tip of the nose, but an area of our bodies that hold a very low level of melanin is the legs. This means that if you get a natural tan or go to the tanning bed, the legs are likely hold the pigment for as long as other parts of the body, and even if you are using a spray tan because the legs are lighter than much of the rest of your body, they may look noticeably less tanned with the same amount of product applied. So it may take a few extra tanning sessions or applications of product for an even result.

Dry Skin: The skin on our legs tends to not only be lighter than much of the rest of the body but is also much drier and thicker. The relative thickness does contribute to sun rays, tanning rays, and products to not being able to penetrate the skin as effectively, but it also means that the legs often receive less blood flow and also less results from moisturizing products like lotion or body oil. Dry skin is not only not apt to tan as well as well-hydrated skin, but it is also prone to shedding and peeling off, and once the surface of the skin starts to shed, the tan goes right along with it. Likewise, having your legs rubbing up against clothes, furniture, or your sheets can also be a culprit for this as well as actively using body scrubs. When trying to tan, it is best to always make sure than the body is fully hydrated inside and out, and be sure to baby the legs with lots of lotion and oil to keep glowing and their color fresh. For an extra special glisten, I adore using oils on my dry skin during summer. Argan oil and sweet almond oil are among some of my favorite ingredients to look for in product for in and out of the shower. This oils are feel very unctuous and lovely, but sink into the skin very well without feeling greasy or sticking to the clothes, keeping you not only well-moisturized but feeling fresh. This is always a plus in the summer heat whether you're tanning or not!

Hair Removal: Regular hair removal is often another antagonist to maintaining a tan. Much like exfoliating scrubs, any method of hair removal takes away both the unwanted hair and unfortunately also your tan. It is best to wait at least three days after tanning to go about your shaving, waxing, or epilating routine if possible to give the tan the best chance to settle into the skin so not as much will come off.

This is merely an overview as to some of the most common reasons behind why the legs may be a bit of a trial to tan and just a few things to consider to counteract them. For more information on these things and more tips for your best and better-lasting tan (legs and all) I highly recommend checking out this article from Tanexpert.net which inspired my writing this post!