In this article, we have listed a few tried and tested solutions to get rid of a tan and additional tips to prevent tanning and hide it. Check it out. On exposure to harsh sunlight, your body releases melanin just under the skin surface. This helps absorb UV radiation. The higher the exposure to UV rays, the higher the pigmentation, and thus, darker the tan. Some people tend to get tanned easily. It’s because of the melanin content. Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Anna H. Chacon says, “If you have a darker skin tone (more melanin), you tend to tan easily. The melanin (brown pigment) containing melanocytes spread out across the sun-exposed skin to cover and protect the skin from more damage.” Sun tan is not permanent, but the damage caused by UV exposure can be. Cosmetic Dermatology Surgeon and Board-Certified Physician Dr. Nadir Qazi says, “ Hyperpigmentation can result from sun damage and, without treatment, can also be permanent. It can sometimes present in large patches and be confused with a sun tan. Another condition that may be confused with a permanent sun tan is solar elastosis. It causes the skin to take on a yellowish pigmentation while also changing its texture.” It is always recommended to avoid unwanted and prolonged exposure to sunlight. The best way to prevent sunburns and suntan is by covering your face whenever possible. You could do this by using a scarf or a hat, applying sunscreen, and wearing long-sleeved dresses. Let us now look at the types of tan treatments available.
Tan Removal Treatment Options
1. Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a technique that helps remove the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This results in clearer skin with an even tone. According to Dr. Cory Gaskins, BSc, MD, CCFP, “Exfoliating your skin regularly will help to speed up the process of regeneration and, as a result, the fading of your tan. You can also try using a lightening cream or serum specifically designed to fade away unwanted tans.”
2. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels, though they may sound risky, can give good results. They help remove unwanted melanin (1). Once you have undergone a chemical peel treatment, your skin will look clearer and return to its original complexion. Caution: Make sure to step out in the sun only after applying sunscreen. Moisturize your skin regularly after the chemical peel treatment as inadequate moisturization can cause dark spots on your skin.
3. Laser Treatment
This treatment can help address the issue of uneven skin tone caused by tanning. It eliminates the outermost layer of dry and dead skin cells. This, in turn, facilitates rejuvenation of your skin and causes a significant improvement in skin tone. Laser therapy provides greater accuracy for lightening the skin tone in difficult areas.
4. Bleaching
Bleaching is an instant treatment option to reverse a tan. It brightens your face instantly and evens out your skin tone. However, we would not recommend regular bleaching as the chemical constituents of the bleach can be harmful to your skin.
5. Hydrating Skin
Staying hydrated makes your skin supple and promotes the replenishment of skin cells. This, in turn, aids in exfoliation as the dead skin cells can be removed more easily. These are a few of the treatment options to get rid of a nasty tan. We will now explore a few tried and tested home remedies to lighten the tan.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of A Tan
1. Tomato
Tomatoes are rich in phytochemicals (including carotenoids) that can fight the damage induced by the harmful UV rays of the sun (2). These compounds can help lighten the tan and restore your natural skin tone.
1-2 tomatoes 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Do this 1-2 times a week.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. The nutrient exhibits anti-pigmentary properties, thereby reducing the effects of excessive pigmentation (3). Hence, it may help restore the complexion of your skin by reducing the tan.
1 lemon Cotton pad
You can repeat this remedy 2 times a week. Caution: Lemon juice can cause a stinging sensation on your skin. Please do a patch test before trying this remedy. Also, remember to apply sunscreen before you step out as lemon juice can make your skin photosensitive.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains bio active compounds that help inhibit tyrosinase activity (4). This reduces excessive pigmentation and imparts a healthy glow to the skin. The cucumber in this remedy also has similar properties (5).
1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel 1 cucumber 1 tablespoon of honey
You can apply this paste to the tanned areas 2 times a week.
4. Papaya
Papaya extracts can function as good exfoliants and help remove dead skin cells from the skin surface. This can replenish your skin and restore your natural skin tone (6).
1 ripe papaya 1 lemon
You can repeat this remedy 2 times a week.
5. Honey
Honey contains polyphenols that inhibit tyrosinase activity (7), (8). This can help lighten the tan. Honey is also an emollient that moisturizes your skin and improves skin tone.
1 lemon 1 tablespoon of honey
You can repeat this remedy 2 times a week.
6. Black Tea
Black tea is known to exhibit anti-melanogenic properties that can help reverse the effects of excessive pigmentation (9). It can also help protect your skin from the harmful sun rays.
1 teaspoon of black tea ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder 1 teaspoon of chickpea flour
You can do this once a week to get rid of the tan.
7. Saffron
Saffron contains bioactive compounds, such as kaempferol and quercetin, that exhibit anti-tyrosinase activity (10). These potentially help protect skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, thereby possibly reversing the effects of tan.
3-4 strands of saffron A quarter cup of milk
Do this 1-2 times a week.
8. Orange
Orange peel contains hesperidin, which can help reduce skin depigmentation (11). This may help lighten your tan.
1 teaspoon of orange peel powder ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder 1 teaspoon of honey
You can use this remedy 2 times a week.
9. Turmeric
Curcumin, a major constituent of turmeric, is known to inhibit melanogenesis (12). This helps in reducing excessive pigmentation of the skin, restoring your natural complexion.
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder 1 teaspoon of milk ½ teaspoon of honey
Repeat this remedy once every week.
10. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains phenolic acids that can help protect the skin against tanning and sun damage (13), (14).
1 teaspoon of coconut oil 4-5 almonds (powdered) 1 teaspoon of sugar
You can use this tan removal scrub on your face and neck 2 times a week.
11. Yogurt
Yogurt contains L-cysteine peptide that inhibits tyrosinase activity (15). This may reverse the effects of pigmentation and eliminate tan.
2 tablespoons of yogurt 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Apply this paste once a week. Caution: Lemon juice can cause irritation to some skin types. Make sure to do a patch test before trying this remedy.
12. Potato Juice
Potato juice is rich in phytochemicals that can function as skin cleansers and help remove the dead and dry skin cells from the skin surface (16). This replenishes your skin, thereby restoring your natural complexion.
2 tablespoons of potato juice 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Apply this pack 2 times a week. Caution: Lemon juice can irritate some skin types. Make sure to do a patch test before trying this remedy. These are effective home remedies that can help remove tan. In the following section, we will discuss how you can do that.
How Can I Prevent Tan?
Here are a few things you can bear in mind to prevent getting tanned: Tanning usually fades over time. Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Cheryl Rosen says, “It usually takes about two to four weeks for a tan to fade. Depending on how dark your tan was, the new skin may be lighter or darker than the old skin. Exposure to the sun will also gradually lighten your skin color over time.” Using the remedies discussed above can help you obtain the best results. However, you need to have patience as they will take 3 to 4 weeks to show results as a tan can take a while to heal. In the meantime, you can use certain quick methods to hide it.
How Can You Hide A Tan?
1. Exfoliation
Using an effective exfoliant in the form of a cleanser or a scrub can help you get rid of the tan and promote a more even skin tone.
2. Makeup
If your tan makes your skin look patchy, you can fix it with a little bronzer. All you need is a bronzer in a shade that is closest to your tan. Apply it to your face, neck, and any other part of your body where the tan is visible. Voila! Your skin tone will look more even, and you need not be too conscious of your tan anymore.
Tips From Beauty Experts To Remove Tan
Follow our expert advice to remove tan and look beautiful. Here are some amazing tips we received from beauty experts. Read through them to get the best insights. Note: These insights are from beauty bloggers and beauty experts. There is no scientific evidence to prove the efficacy of the tips presented below. They are purely anecdotal.
1. Jane Cunningham
Jane Cunningham: www.britishbeautyblogger.com
2. Leslie Baumann
Avoiding the sun is the number one way to prevent premature aging and skin cancer, so I recommend sunscreen for each and every one of my 16 unique Baumann Skin Types. I’m a big fan of self-tanner because it allows everyone to enjoy a healthy golden glow without exposing the skin to the harmful UV rays. But, the results of these products are highly dependent on one’s application skills, so streaks, mistakes, and mishaps are common. Leslie Baumann: www.skintypesolutions.com
3. Amber Katz
Amber Katz: www.rouge18.com
4. Lara Eurdolian
Lara Eurdolian: www.prettyconnected.com
5. Pradeep Sharma
Sun tan or tanning is the process of discoloration of the skin. It is caused due to the dangerous UV rays of the sun that attack our skin and damage its beauty. The skin color changes from normal to dark or black. Hence, you must take the necessary preventive measures to keep away from sun tan and skin discoloration. Tanning darkens the skin and gives rise to problems like burning sensation, wrinkles, permanent damage, age spots, and other signs of premature aging. The main cause of sun tan is prolonged exposure of the skin to the sun. However, the usage of some chemical products can also lead to tanned skin. Here are a few useful tips to help you remove sun tan quickly and effectively:
- Exfoliate Exfoliating, which is one of the best ways to keep your skin smooth, is equally effective in removing tan quickly. You must exfoliate every second day to get the tan off your skin. It is better to use a cloth or loofah for removing the outermost layers of skin cells from the body. Exfoliating regularly will also keep your skin soft and supple.
- Aloe Vera Gel Aloe vera gel works well on tanned skin. Pluck a few aloe vera leaves and scrape out a little gel. Apply it to the tanned areas before going to bed. It lightens the tan and regular usage of this completely removes the tan.
- Cucumber Juice and Lemon Juice Mix both the juices, apply it directly on the face and hands. Leave it for 20 minutes. Later, wash your face with cold water. Regular use of this home remedy will brighten your skin and make it tan-free and spot-free. Cucumber works its magic as a natural cleanser for all types of skin. Pradeep Sharma: www.healthxwellness.com
6. Sara Patel
7. Rebecca Gibson
Rebecca Gibson: www.buenobeauty.com
Does Multani mitti soap remove tan? Anecdotal evidence suggests that Multani mitti soap can remove tan and lighten the skin. While there is some evidence to suggest that Multani mitti has bleaching properties, studies on its skin brightening effect are lacking (17). Which soap is best for tan removal? Soaps containing skin-lightening ingredients can help remove tan. The best soap for you is the one that is formulated for your skin type.
