Woman Begs for Help for Worst Tanning Disaster Internet Has Seen—’So Scary’

A fitness trainer turned to TikTok for advice after her self-tan went terribly wrong.

Amy Nelson (@amynelsonfitness) needed to achieve a bronzed look for her upcoming bodybuilding show, and she never imagined the color would end up looking so extreme.

In the video, Nelson, 24, a personal trainer from Australia, showed off her mismatched hands, which were several shades darker than the rest of her body and face.

“How do I fix this? Anyone have any tips on how to fix my hands? Because they are terrible,” Nelson pleaded.

“I’m trying to do my makeup, but this is just not gonna color match. I don’t think I’m gonna find anything.”

The video quickly went viral, racking up 334,800 likes and 6.6 million views as TikTokers offered their best solutions to Nelson’s tanning dilemma.

“This is a problem,” Nelson wrote in the caption, as she asked for help on how to match her pale face to her overly dark tan.

Speaking to Newsweek, she explained how the mishap happened.

“Before competing in a bodybuilding show, you have to get a professional spray tan three times beforehand,” Nelson explained.

For those unfamiliar, bodybuilders often go for extremely dark tans to enhance muscle visibility and definition on stage, as explained by DMOOSE, an online fitness brand.

While the ultra-dark tan is standard in bodybuilding competitions to accentuate muscle definition under harsh stage lights, it can look peculiar in everyday settings.

Nelson revealed that she faced some awkward encounters post-competition. “After my competition, I got reactions in public all the time. Once, I was out for breakfast, and a couple sitting next to me were talking really badly about me the whole time. I just had to nudge it off,” she said.

Fortunately, there are several hacks to fix a self-tan mishap, according to MYSA, a beauty and wellness publication.

One popular remedy involves applying lemon juice to the affected area, letting it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a damp towel.

However, those trying this method should be cautious, as it can lead to skin irritation or discoloration when exposed to the sun. It’s best to do it at night or on a day when you don’t plan to go out.

For those with sensitive skin, MYSA suggests diluting the lemon juice with water. Exfoliating the skin with a mixture of coconut oil and sugar or salt can also help remove unwanted tan. Alternatively, adding baking soda to lemon juice or coconut oil can assist in lightening over-tanned areas.

TikTok users were quick to react to Nelson’s tanning misadventure. “WHY R THEY PURPLE?” asked one commenter, referring to the color of her hands. “The way I gasped,” another user admitted. One user said: “that’s so scary.”

Amid the laughter, many offered helpful advice. “Try soaking them in warm water with soap for a long period of time, then use a scrubbing glove on your hands. This won’t remove the tan completely, but it will help so they’re not so dark,” one user suggested.

Another joked: “Use gloves and walk fast; nobody will notice.” Jami offered a more practical solution: “Do the dishes a few times; works a treat for me.”

Two weeks after the competition, Nelson’s tan eventually faded. Her key take-away from the blunder is to always moisturize your hands before applying self-tan.