Talking about skin and how can tanning not come into the picture. Tanning is one of the most common skin issues for everyone out there, right? Often, tanning lowers the complete beauty regime in just a few seconds. It is better to delve into the world of why and how to prevent tanning to save your beautiful skin days!
While sun tan is serving its way to you, are you doing the same? Applying suntan lotions, moisturizers, using products that mention “sun protection, “n amounts of SPF” and maybe a lot more.
However, while doing all of it, it is highly essential to know in depth about your skin and how it gets tanned, what can be done to prevent it, and how to get rid of skin tan. Since every skin type is different and has different reactions to the same. This guide can help in understanding how to get rid of tanning effectively and how to get rid of it smoothly.
What is Tanning
Tanning is a procedure of increased skin pigment, scientifically called melanin which is due to exposure to sunlight. This is the body’s natural response to protect the skin from sun damage. Since body releases melanin right under the surface of the skin whenever exposed to harsh rays of sunlight. This in turn helps in the absorption of radiation from the ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- Higher are the UV rays, higher is the pigmentation, and more dark is the tan. Different areas of the body are prone to tan like the face, arms, legs, feet, hands, neck, and back.
- Tan is naturally visible in comparison to the other body parts which are not exposed to sunlight.
- In scientific terms, the cells of the skin have exposure to the UV rays from the sun, this kicks the safety mode. The melanin from the melanocytes is moved to the keratinocytes which are skin cells of the surface area.
- Being a security mechanism, the melanin pigment blocks out the UV radiation from any kind of further cell damage.
- Melanin is gathered on the cell’s nucleus top, like an umbrella. This procedure occurs in every skin cell exposed to the sun exposure.
Well, this is the reason that tanning is visible over the bare part of the body.
individuals with light skin tone do not create an optimum amount of melanin pigment, hence, making the exposed areas of the skin get burnt. Sunlight rays have two kinds of UV rays:
- UVA
- UVB
UVA and UVB rays trigger the melanocytes when they penetrate the lower layer of the epidermis. The trigger produces melanin, which leads to tanning.
- The exterior layer of skin is home to melanin which is a darkening agent. Melanin is the one that is responsible for setting up the skin tone and protecting the skin from the UV rays of the sun.
- Whenever the skin is exposed to the rays of the skin, it produces more melanin and is tanned.
Prolonged amounts of sun exposure create skin damage leading to sunburns, hence lowering the skin elasticity and creating premature aging.
How To Know If The Skin Is Tanned?
If your skin is experiencing more than one shade of variation then it is called tanning. A scale of Fitzpatrick describes the skin type and is a standard scale followed all over the world. The scale is a measure to estimate the response of different types of skin to ultraviolet light.
What Are The Reasons Behind Tanning?
Tanning can have harmful consequences if not addressed properly as it is proof of DNA injury to the skin. It damages the skin cells and levels up the visible signs of aging. The reasons behind tanning depend upon the skin type. Some skin types burn and never tan and some burn easily and tan with difficulty.
Still, let us take a look at the major reasons for sun tan:
👉 Exposure from UVA
UVA rays are one of the most dangerous elements of skin tan. It penetrates into the deep layers of the skin leading to cell damage. Melanocytes release melanin which leads to the brown and dark color of the skin.
👉 Exposure from UVB
UVB rays are the ones that harm or burn the upper layers of the skin. Exposure to the UVB rays outpours during the summer season and lowers during the winter months, as the ozone layer of Earth blocks most of the UVB rays in dependence on the weather. Unlike, UVA it is not the one that triggers the melanocytes, it is the one that prompts the DNA to damage which further boosts the production of melanin.
Types of Skin Tan
Are you someone who is still confused if your skin is tanned or not? Or, if it is tanned what is the intensity of the tan?
Home Remedies To Remove Sun Tan
Since we have been talking all about tans, how can we not talk about how to work on these tans, right? Tans are like those uninvited guests at the wedding who visit you anyway.
So, to get rid of and remove these tans, let us take a look at some natural homemade remedies that can remove the sun tan in a jiffy. Well, these remedies will not just give you open exposure to spending time on the beach and sun, but also a relief from all the unnecessary worries.
Below are few homemade remedies for removing sun tan👇
1. Honey & Lemon Juice
Lemon juice and honey are one of the kindest ingredients to remove skin tan. Lemon juice has a bleaching effect as it removes the tan swiftly. All you need to do is:
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice
- Add some honey to it and apply it to your skin
- Keep it for 30 minutes and clean it off
- Feel free to add sugar to the lemon juice
- Scrub the skin slowly to remove dead cells
2. Tomato & Yogurt
Tomato is one of the richest antioxidants for brightening the skin. Simultaneously, yogurt is home to lactic acid which gives the skin a soft touch.
- Take 1 raw tomato and cut it to form a paste
- Blend one or two teaspoons of fresh yogurt
- Use the paste on the tanned area of the skin
- Wash off the paste after keeping it for 20 minutes
3. Cucumber Extracting Spell
Cucumber is highly beneficial for sunburnt and tanned skin. It has a soothing and cooling effect to remove tan.
- Cut cucumber and squeeze out its juice
- Apply the squeezed juice to the tanned area with a cotton ball
- Dry it out and wash it off
PS: You can add a bit of lemon juice to the paste too as an added benefit
4. Besan & Turmeric
Besan and Turmeric are the best ingredients for fading out the skin tan. Turmeric does wonders as it is an ever-effective skin brightening substance and besan also called gram flour, lightens the skin following the skin type.
- Add one teaspoon of turmeric to 1 cup of gram flour
- Mix some water or milk to thin down the paste
- Apply the paste to the face or body
- Let the paste stay and scrub it using lukewarm water
PS: Regular usage of this will fade out the tanned area of the skin.
5. Own That Potato Juice
We mean it when we say it. Do not let potatoes go in vain without using raw potato juice. Potato juice is best for lightening the dark circles under the eyes. Apart from being a natural soother, it is great as a bleaching agent.
- Take some juice of raw potato and apply it to the tanned area of the skin
- You can even use potato slices by keeping them on the face and eyes
- Let it stay for 10-15 minutes and dry
- After it is completely dried, feel free to wash it off
6. Papaya & Honey
Papaya is filled with natural enzymes that have skin bleaching and exfoliation properties. Meanwhile, honey is a natural skin soothing agent and moisturizer. It is home to tons of antioxidants that clear out the free radicals from the skin which leads to aging.
- Take 3-5 pieces of ripe papaya
- Add one teaspoon of honey
- Mash the ingredients using a fork
- Mix it properly to form a smooth paste
- Apply the paste to the tanned area of the skin
- Let it dry, then wash it off after 25-30 minutes
7. Healthy Skin Paste
Red Lentils are a breather for sun tans. Tomato juice will brighten your skin and aloe vera soothes and moisturizes the skin.
- Soak 2 tablespoons of masoor dal in water overnight until it gets soft
- Blend the lentils
- Add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel and 2 teaspoons of fresh tomato juice to the blended paste
- Mix the paste
- Apply the paste to the sun-tanned skin
- Let it stay for 20 minutes
- Rinse out the applied paste with massage and wash off
8. Clean Tans
Your tans are going to clear with buttermilk and oatmeal. The reason being oatmeal is a superb skin cleanser with exfoliating properties. Buttermilk is rich in lactic acid, it softens the skin by improving the tone of the skin.
- Soak some oatmeal in water for 5-6 minutes
- Add 2-3 teaspoons of fresh plain buttermilk and mix well
- Add some honey to turn the pack moist
- Mix the ingredients properly and apply to the face, arms, and neck
- Rub it in a circular motion and keep it for 20 minutes
- Cleanse it to experience a fresh looking skin
9. Tan Out With Milklicious Packs
Ever wondered about saying bye-bye to your tans with strawberries? Well, this is the coolest thing to experience. Strawberries have vitamin C, they are rich in AHA alpha hydroxy acids which give the skin a natural brightening property. The goodness of the milk cream prepares deep moisture into the skin with a healthy and supple look.
- Take a few strawberries and mash them properly
- Make sure to add 2 teaspoons of fresh cream
- Whisk it well to make the paste lump free
- Apply the paste to the tanned area of the face
- Keep it for 20 minutes
- Then, wash it off with cold water
10. Honey & Pineapple Pulp
Trust me, fruit packs are a savior! Pineapples contain enzymes called Bromelain which fight free radicals of the skin and lower inflammation. It is filled with vitamin C, A, and antioxidants to remove sun damage, hence, making the skin bright and toned.
- Blend 6 pieces of ripe pineapple
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the blended paste
- Convert the paste into another bowl
- Apply it to the tanned skin
- Let it dry and wash off after 20 minutes
FAQs On Sun Tan
Q1. Are sun tans permanent?
A1. In foreign countries, sun tan is considered healthy and glowing. It is not at all permanent and fades away with time. The skin regains and rejuvenates back to the natural complexion of the skin. Natural home remedy to remove tan quickly do wonders for the same. Applying face packs and creams with natural ingredients is safe for the skin as well. Natural tanning is experienced from exposure to UV rays of the sun. It is harmless until the skin is exposed excessively.
Q2. When does the sunburn heal?
A2. If there is a mild burn with redness and pain, then the burn might last for 3-5 days. Peeling of skin takes place when healing and repairing occurs. Moderate sunburns are painful, as the skin gets red, and swollen, with the desired area getting hotter. This kind of burn takes a week to heal. If the sunburn is severe then you must visit a medical practitioner for the same.
