Before applying any self-tanner, take care of treatments like waxing, shaving, manicures, or hair color touch-ups. Self-tanner can sink into dry skin, leaving dark patches behind that look unnatural. Slough away any flakes with a scrub—focusing on rough spots like the knees, elbows, ankles, and heels—or a cleanser with glycolic or salicylic acids to remove dead, dull skin, Stankiewicz says. What should you look for in the best tanning mousses? To prevent staining your hands, wash them immediately after applying self-tanner, and treat them like you would the rest of your body with an exfoliating mitt if any color lingers.