Holidays are all fun and games until you look into the mirror and see your skin two or more shades darker. While a tan will fade out eventually, if you're in a hurry, give these home remedies a try. Here's a quick look at how to remove tan in a jiffy! You no longer have to worry about spending too much time out in the sun, or at the beach.
 |
| Remove Sun Tans at Home |
Home remedies to remove sun tan
Lemon juice and honey to remove tan
Lemon juice has bleaching effect which helps in removing tan quickly.
1. Take fresh lemon juice, add some honey to it and apply on your skin.
2. Let it stay for 30 minutes and wash off.
3. You can also add some sugar to the lemon juice and scrub your skin gently to slough off dead cells from the surface.
Yogurt and tomato to reduce tan
Tomato is rich in antioxidants that helps in brightening skin. Yogurt on the other hand contains lactic acid which softens the skin.
1. Take raw tomato and remove the skin.
2. Blend it with 1-2 tsp of fresh yogurt.
3. Use this paste on your tan, and wash off after 20 minutes.
Cucumber extract helps to remove tan
Cucumber is highly beneficial for tanned and sunburnt skin. Cucumber has a cooling effect and helps remove tan.
1. Shred a cucumber, and squeeze to get the juice out.
2. Using a cotton ball, apply the juice all over your skin.
3. Let it dry and wash. You may also add a little lemon juice for added benefits.
Bengal gram flour and turmeric fade the tan
Turmeric is an excellent skin brightening agent while Bengal gram flour (besan) lightens skin effectively.
1. Add 1 tsp of turmeric to a cup of Bengal gram flour, and mix some water or milk to make a thin paste.
2. Apply this mixture on your face and body, and let it dry, before gently scrubbing it away using lukewarm water.
Regular use will help fade the tan from your skin.
Potato juice to get rid of tan
Potato juice is often used to lighten dark circles around the eyes. Apart from being naturally soothing, the juice of potato is also known for being a potent bleaching agent.
1. Juice a raw potato and apply it directly onto your skin to get rid of the tan.
2. Alternatively, you can also use thin potato slices on your eyes and face.
3. Keep them on for 10-12 minutes and wash off once it dries.
Honey and papaya for removing tan
Papaya is rich in natural enzymes that have skin bleaching and exfoliating properties. Honey on the other hand is a natural moisturiser and a skin soothing agent. It is also rich in antioxidants that remove free radicals from the skin which cause ageing.1. Take 4-5 cubes of ripe papaya; the riper the better.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to it and mash it up using the back of a spoon or a fork.
3. Mix well until a smooth paste is formed.
4. Apply this paste all over the tanned skin and let dry.
5. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with water.
Masoor dal (red lentil), tomato and aloe vera pack
Masoor dal is an effective remedy in treating sun tan. Tomato juice brightens up the skin while aloe vera soothes and moisturises it.1. Soak 2 tbsp of masoor dal in water for a few hours until the dal gets soft.
2. Drain the water and put in a blender.
3. To the dal, add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera and gel and 2 teaspoon of fresh tomato juice.
4. Blend into a paste.
5. Apply on suntanned skin and let it stay for 20 minutes.
6. Rinse it out with water using a massage action.
Oatmeal and buttermilk for tan cleaner
Oatmeal is known for its excellent exfoliating and skin cleansing properties. Buttermilk is rich in lactic acid which can soften the skin and improve skin tone.1. Soak 2 teaspoons of oats or oatmeal in some water for five minutes.
2. Add 2-3 teaspoon of fresh, plain buttermilk to it and mix well.
3. You may add honey to make the pack more moisturising.
4. Mix these ingredients well to form a paste and apply on your face, neck and arms.
5. Rub in a circular motion and let it stay for 20 minutes.
6. Wash off to reveal fresh, cleaner looking skin.
Milk cream and strawberries for tanned skin
Rich in AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids) and vitamin C, strawberries have natural skin brightening properties. The creamy goodness of milk cream lock in the moisture deep into the skin making it look supple and healthy.1. Take a few ripe strawberries and mash them well using a fork.
2. Add 2 teaspoon of fresh cream to it and whisk well to form a lump-free paste.
3. Use this on your face and tanned skin and let it stay for 15-20 minutes.
4. Wash it with cold water.
Pineapple pulp and honey for skin tan
Pineapple contains an enzyme called Bromelain which fights free radicals in the skin and reduces inflammation. Also, it is a packed with vitamin A, C and antioxidants which undo sun damage making the skin even toned and bright.1. Drop 5-6 cubes of freshly chopped ripe pineapple in a blender and add 1 teaspoon of honey to it.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Extract into a bowl and use this to apply on the tanned areas of your skin.
4. Wash after 20 minutes.
Simple home remedies to remove tan from hands, arms, feet and face
Removing tan from face
Sandalwood or Chandan is a miracle ingredient when it comes to skincare. It is pretty much a one-stop solution to all skin woes, including tanning. Being gentle and cooling, sandalwood will not only remove tan from the face but will also improve the texture and tone of your skin.
1. Take 2 tbsp of pure sandalwood powder and make a thin paste using rose water.
2. Apply this paste evenly all over the face and neck to cover the tanning.
3. Let it dry and wash with cold water. You can try this as frequently as you want and watch your skin glow.
Using coconut milk is another easy way to lighten tan from the face.
1. Soak a cotton ball in fresh coconut milk and dab it all over the face.
2. Wait until it's dry and wash away with water.
3. Doing this daily will not only make your tan vanish faster but will also nourish the skin, making it glow naturally.
Removing tan from hands and arms
Both potatoes and lemon are known for their bleaching properties. Use the potent combination of these two natural ingredients to regain the natural colour of your hands and arms.
1. Mix together equal quantities of freshly squeezed juice of potato and lemon.
2. Add 1 tsp of rose water and mix well.
3. Using a cotton pad apply generously all over the tanned areas on your hands and arms.
4. Let it stay for 20 mins and wash off.
Do this on alternate days until the tan fades away.
Another effective way to banish tan from the hands is by applying a pack of yoghurt and Bengal gram flour or besan.
1. Take 2-3 tbsp of besanand add 1-2 tbsp of plain, unflavoured yoghurt to it.
2. Mix to form a smooth paste. Add 3-5 drops of rose water for fragrance.
3. Smooth this mix on your tanned hands and arms like a wet mask and let it stay for 20 mins.
4. Wash with cold water by gentle scrubbing movements.
5. Repeat this 3-4 times a week for best results.
Removing tan from feet
Feet exposed to the sun can easily get dark. The skin on tanned feet might look shriveled and aged. To regain the natural skin colour and to make your feet supple, use the benefits of sugar scrub, lemon and milk.1. Prepare a lemon-sugar scrub for your feet by mixing equal quantities of lemon juice and sugar granules. You may store this scrub in a jar and refrigerate for further use.
2. Scoop out some of the scrub in your palms and gently rub all over your feet.
3. Scrub away the dead skin layer and wash your feet.
Next, prepare a de-tanning mask using lemon juice and milk.
1. In half a cup of milk, add one-fourth cup of lemon juice.
2. Mix and apply this all over your tanned feet.
3. Let it dry and wash your feet in a warm water bath.
4. Wipe with a soft cotton cloth and cover with socks.
Repeat this 2-3 times a week to fade the tan. Also, keep your feet moisturised always to speed up the healing process and to keep them soft and supple.
Sun Tanning FAQs
Q. What exactly is a tan?
A Long exposure to the sun usually causes the skin to become a shade or few darker, this is known as a tan. A tan actually is the skin trying to protect itself from sun damage. When ultraviolet rays from the sun penetrate the skin, they trigger the production of melanin, a dark brown pigment, as a way of shielding the skin from burning. As a result the skin gets darker and we see this in form of a tan.
Q. Is a sun tan permanent?
A Many people consider the tan as a healthy glow. But it's not permanent and usually fades away with time as the skin rejuvenates and regains its natural colour. Also, there are natural home remedies to get rid of a sun tan faster. You can apply face packs made with natural ingredients that are safe and effective on the skin. Natural tanning is the result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, while many people deliberately choose to tan their skin through artificial means like tanning lamps, indoor tanning beds and chemical products; this is called sunless tanning. However, excessive exposure to the ultraviolet rays can have a negative impact on the skin and health causing sunburn and increased risk of skin cancer.
Q. How long does a sunburn take to heal?
A While a mild burn will be accompanied by redness, some pain and sensitivity in the affected area, this type of burn can last from three to five days. There also may be some peeling of the skin in the last couple of days as the skin heals and repairs itself. Moderate sunburns could be more painful; the skin will be red and swollen and the area will feel hot. This degree of burn will take about a week to heal completely. Severe sunburn may require a visit to the doctor or hospital.
Q. What does a tan do to your skin?
A While moderate exposure to the sun contributes to the production of melanin and vitamin D lending a healthy glow to the skin, excessive exposure to the sun or artificial means of tanning can cause the skin to burn and age faster. Pale skin burns more easily than darker skin. In either case, that doesn't mean the people are protected against skin cancer and other problems.
A sun tanned skinlooks flushed while sun burned skin is tender or painful, or gives off more heat than normal. People with medium to dark skin tone may not notice any obvious physical signs until several hours later. It can take anywhere between six to forty-eight hours for the full effects of sunburn to appear.
Q. What are the ingredients to watch out for while buying an anti-tan cream?
A Applying anti-tan cream or sunscreen is the easiest way of protecting the skin from sun damage. SPF (sun protecting factor) 30 or higher is considered to be best for Indian summers. While buying sunscreen don't forget to check for ingredients that might be harmful the skin. Watch out for names like Oxybenzone, Octinoxate which can trigger allergic reactions. Chemicals like Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Homosalate and Octocrylene commonly found in sunscreens can mess with the hormones and damage the cells in the body.
Apart from those, ensure to pick a sunscreen with no paraben preservatives as these are associated with allergic reactions, hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity. Also, parabens are linked to incidence of breast cancer.
