5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Weird Tan Lines, Fast

You're diligent (if not meticulous) about your sunscreen application. Until the beach nap happens and you wake up to find your cutout one-piece has left a semi-permanent design on your skin. Need to fade those lines fast? Here are five things that’ll do it.

SHOWER SCRUB

First things first: You want to slough off the top layer of skin to start the fading process. But if you’re burned, wait a few days or it won't be very pleasant.

LEMON JUICE MIX

Lemon juice is a natural exfoliant, but it’s gentler because it doesn’t require any harsh scrubbing (just make sure to dilute the acidity with honey so it doesn't burn). Leave the concoction on your tan lines for 25 minutes, then rinse.

CUCUMBER SLIVERS

There's a reason you often see cucumbers on people's eyes—they're naturally high in water content and vitamin C, so they nourish skin, which is a key factor in reducing tan lines. Either lay a few thin slices where needed or puree them into a paste and apply onto the affected area for 20 minutes.

POTATO SLICES

Fun fact: Potatoes hold a lot of water, so they've been used to help heal sunburns. Have more of a red burn line than a tan line? Cut a potato into thin pieces and apply where needed, let sit for 15 minutes and then remove.

SELF-TANNER

If none of the above are quite cutting it, paint some self-tanner onto your lines with a makeup brush. Leave it on overnight and then use a gentle exfoliator (ahem, lemon juice) to soften any harsh edges for a more seamless look.