As a tan-addict beauty editor, I know every trick in the book to get fake tan off your hands

Tanning regrets, I've had a few. If there's a disaster you can think of, I've probably experienced it, plus plenty you can't (see: weeklong pasty white 'socks' because I had a pedicure right after a spray tan)

As a result of all my worst behaviour with the best self-tan, I'm now equipped to deal with any issue that could possibly arise. Because if anyone knows about bronzing issues, it's a Scottish beauty editor with limited patience and an unlimited supply of new self-tanners to try.

And as issues go, stained hands are right up there. Those tangerine palms will be on display all day long, telling tales of your misadventures and making you look a bit, well, grotty, to be honest. So, as my hands have grown drier and more easily stained over time, best believe I've learned how to remove fake tan that's stubbornly hanging around. Allow me to share my wisdom.

The five most effective ways to get fake tan off your hands, fast

1. Create a stain-blocking barrier

Is any advice more annoying than 'prevention is better than cure?' Probably not, but I'm afraid it's true, so here goes: Use barrier cream. That's taking any old thick moisturiser you have lying around and spreading it onto your palms before you apply the self-tanner.

This blocks the absorption of tan's active ingredient DHA, which reacts with dead cells on the skin's surface to create golden tones. Using barrier cream stops the DHA from getting its claws into drier areas such as palms and knuckles, where thicker skin and more dead cells mean rapid tan development and unreasonably intense colour. Pro spray tanner, Harriet Morrall advises we "take a small amount of cream on your fingers and create a light 'half moon' of barrier, where your palm meets your wrist," for a seamless blend.

2. Wipe, don't wash

This is your first line of defence: If your tan starts to develop and you spot build-up lurking at the base of your palm, don't start scrubbing away like Lady Macbeth. "You cannot wash your hands after using tan as this could result in smudges and washing the tan off completely", agrees Nadia Suliaman, co-owner of Forbici London, a Treatwell salon partner.

Instead, dampen a cloth (ideally microfibre or muslin, but the corner of a tea towel will do) and gently wipe the area back and forth. It's a good idea to give your cuticles a little swipe here too, as DHA homes in on that dry skin like wasps to a can of Coca-Cola. Be fast, be targeted, and also be very gentle when turning the taps on to avoid splashing water and splattering the carefully-applied and still-developing tan on your arms.

3. Break down the DHA

If, after development time, your body's saying 'fortnight in Santorini' but your hands are saying 'fortnight without soap,' try ingredients that are bad for fake tan, therefore good at removing it - oils and acids. I've had my best success combining both. Prep with a glycolic acid pad or toner to loosen the joins between dead skin cells, slather oil on the area, then gently buff with a cloth to shift.

The internet suggests soaking your hands in warm water and lemon juice. But I've found this to be a) ineffective and b) counterintuitive as it can strip tan from the fronts of your hands, leaving ghostly 'gloves' that look just as odd as orange mitts. If you're going down the lemon route, be targeted: "You can use lemon and salt scrub for the palms of the hands, this will help lighten some of the tan but will not remove it completely," advises Suliaman.

4. Use a dry exfoliation tool

For particularly stubborn tan stains, a bit of good old-fashioned elbow grease with a physical exfoliator should sort you out. Any of the best body exfoliator tools could work, so loofahs, dry body brushes, or my personal favourite, Korean skincare peeling 'mitts' that you can buy on Amazon for peanuts. Use it dry for maximum resistance and effectiveness.

Again, be very targeted and very careful. Rub back and forth on the affected area only, and if you're using something with coarse texture or bristles like a body brush don't be too aggressive (the answer to is fake tan bad for your skin may be no, but scrubbing yourself red raw absolutely is) Finish with a dab of something nourishing that also contains oil. You'll enjoy instant stain-lifting gratification, which will get better with time as dead cells that have been softened naturally drop off.

5. Get it all off

This is what I'd call going nuclear. If you've had a fake tan disaster from top to toe and want to call the whole thing off, there are some very effective tan removal products on the market designed to do just that. Most of these products are best combined with a hot bath or shower, so bear in mind that hands-only removal won't be possible.