You might get a tan from spending a lot of time in the sun. Regardless of the season, UV rays can harm your skin all year. Not to worry. Your skin can be evened out and tanned easily.
In this article, we’ve provided a few tried-and-true methods for removing sunburn from the face as well as additional advice on how to avoid tanning and cover it up. Look into it.
Why Do We Get Tanned?
Tan refers to the uneven coloring of your skin after sun exposure. Your skin contains melanin, a chemical responsible for pigmentation. A tan is your body’s attempt to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
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.”
According to a study conducted on 31,162 US adults, 34.2% experienced sunburn in a year. Furthermore, the prevalence was 51.2% aged 18 – 29 years, 42.5% in White individuals, and 50.2% in people with sensitive skin. It was also found that the prevalence of sunburns was 13.2% and 29.7% in Black and Hispanic participants respectively.
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.
2. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels, though they may sound risky, can give good results. They help remove unwanted melanin and treat conditions like melasma (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, improves the appearance of acne scars, and reduces blemishes.
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.
Quick Tip
Tan lasts around 7 to 10 days before it starts to fade naturally. It takes a minimum of 2 weeks to a month to completely fade away.
These are a few of the treatment options to get rid of a nasty tan.
We will now learn more about how to remove tan from your face effectively in the section below.
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.
You Will Need
- 1-2 tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Make a paste of the tomatoes.
- Mix this paste with a teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Apply it generously on your face, with particular focus on the tanned areas.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with cold water.
How Often Should You Do This
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.
You Will Need
- 1 lemon
- Cotton pad
What You Have To Do
- Squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl.
- Apply it to the affected areas with the help of a clean cotton pad.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with water.
How Often Should You Do This
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).
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tablespoon of honey
What You Have To Do
- Blend the cucumber to get a thick paste.
- Add aloe vera gel and honey to this paste and mix well.
- Apply to the tanned areas and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse your face thoroughly.
How Often Should You This
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).
You Will Need
- 1 ripe papaya
- 1 lemon
What You Have To Do
- Prepare a puree of the papaya fruit in a blender.
- Add the juice of a lemon to this puree.
- Apply this paste to the tanned parts and leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse off thoroughly.
How Often Should You Do This
You can repeat this remedy 2 times a week.
5. Honey
Honey contains polyphenolsi XA naturally occurring plant micronutrient that can benefit your skin because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 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.
You Will Need
- 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon of honey
What You Have To Do
- Mix a tablespoon of honey with a teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Apply this paste to the tanned areas and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
How Often Should You Do This
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.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of black tea
- ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon of chickpea flour
What You Have To Do
- Make a fine paste of the ingredients by using a few drops of water.
- Apply the paste to the tanned parts and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
How Often Should You Do This
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-tyrosinasei XA term used to indicate the inhibition of tyrosinase, an enzyme that catalyzes melanin production. activity (10). These potentially help protect skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, thereby possibly reversing the effects of tan.
You Will Need
- 3-4 strands of saffron
- A quarter cup of milk
What You Have To Do
- Soak the saffron strands in the milk.
- After two hours, strain the strands, and apply the milk to the tanned areas.
- Wash off with water in 10-15 minutes.
How Often Should You Do This
Do this 1-2 times a week.
8. Orange
Orange peel contains hesperidini XMainly found in citrus fruits, it is a chemical with antioxidant properties that helps improve the skin. , which can help reduce skin depigmentation (11). This may help lighten your tan.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of orange peel powder
- ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon of honey
What You Have To Do
- Mix the ingredients to make a fine paste.
- Apply this paste and leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
How Often Should You Do This
You can use this remedy 2 times a week.
9. Turmeric
Curcumin, a major constituent of turmeric, is known to inhibit melanogenesisi XThe production of melanin, the primary source of human pigmentation, by melanocytes present in the outermost layer of the skin. (12). This helps in reducing excessive pigmentation of the skin, restoring your natural complexion.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon of milk
- ½ teaspoon of honey
What You Have To Do
- Make a thick paste by mixing the ingredients.
- Apply this paste and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Wash your face thoroughly.
How Often Should You This
Repeat this remedy once every week.
Quick Tip
It is believed that replacing the honey in this recipe with a cup of gram flour may also help reduce tan.
10. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains phenolic acids that can help protect the skin against tanning and sun damage (13), (14).
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
- 4-5 almonds (powdered)
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
What You Have To Do
- Prepare a thick paste using the ingredients.
- Apply this scrub to your face and neck.
- Rinse your face thoroughly with water.
How Often Should You This
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.
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Mix the yogurt and lemon juice in a bowl to form a paste.
- Apply this paste to the tanned areas and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
How Often Should You This
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.
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of potato juice
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Mix the potato juice and lemon juice.
- Apply the mixture to the tanned areas and leave it on until it dries.
- Rinse your face with water.
How Often Should You This
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:
- Use hats, sunglasses, full-sleeved clothing, etc. to prevent tanning.
- Apply sunscreen before you step out into the sun.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
- Remember to wash your face 3-4 times a day if you are having a day out in the sun.
- Staying hydrated will make sure your skin is replenished and can help reverse the effects of tanning.
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.
Source: stylecraze
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