How can I even out a terrible 'farmer's tan'

[tarheelgurl]

I drove to Kansas last week and now I have this terrible farmers tan line. I tried wearing tanks outside to even out the tone but the farmer's tan only gets darker and my arms look like a rainbow.

Any suggestions?

[Nonie]

Well, the only way I see fixing that is wearing sunblock on the already tanned parts and tanning lotion on the other parts. Or better yet, just get some type of coverage (Don't they make sprays?) and use that to even your skin temporarily and just protect your whole body from the sun. Exposure to the sun just to get your body all even isn't worth the risk. I believe in time, your skin will even out from exfoliation. If you want to hurry up the process, you can use a glycolic on the darker parts before your sunblock and coverage. And one day I believe, everything will all be back to normal.

I'm trying to remember what moisturize it is they were advertising on TV yesterday for even complexion....

[tarheelgurl]

Well, the only way I see fixing that is wearing sunblock on the already tanned parts and tanning lotion on the other parts. Or better yet, just get some type of coverage (Don't they make sprays?) and use that to even your skin temporarily and just protect your whole body from the sun. Exposure to the sun just to get your body all even isn't worth the risk. I believe in time, your skin will even out from exfoliation. If you want to hurry up the process, you can use a glycolic on the darker parts before your sunblock and coverage. And one day I believe, everything will all be back to normal.

I'm trying to remember what moisturize it is they were advertising on TV yesterday for even complexion....

Thanks for the input Nonie! I didn't know if I should use a fade cream or just let it go. But it really made wearing strapless stuff hard.

[Nonie]

I'm not a fan of fade creams, but there are people who've had success with them. The only thing I must stress is, if you do use fade creams, make sure you use a very good sunscreen/sunblock as they make your skin very sensitive...plus this will ensure you don't get more pigmentation where you don't want it.

But I really think that if you aren't too pressed and could disguise the look somehow by wearing clothes that hide this or getting a cover like Dermablend (http://www.dermablend.com/foundations/foundations-moderate-flaws/new-leg-and-body-cover.htm) and then using a cream/lotion that evens your complexion gradually eg an alpha hydoxy acid product and sunscreen, you could get an even complexion in due time. It's funny how that sometimes happens when we aren't paying attention. You get so used to wearing makeup to cover up flaws then one day you do a double-take because you realize that your skin is all even and you haven't even put your makeup on yet!

[ThickHair]

I have a farmer tan because I ride my bike with a tank top on. My mom gave me some tops and I was trying them on and she ask why I had tan lines. I never noticed it. I just deal with it, I am med brown skin and it really isn't that noticable, at least not to me until Mom pointed it out. Gotta love my mommy.