Home Remedies to Remove Sun Tan

With winter around the corner, most of us are gearing up to enjoy the sun with more outdoor activities, outings and picnics.

Although, most of us take precautions to prevent excessive dry skin in winter, what we tend to forget is that the skin is also at risk to tanning in cold weather.

We may assume that sun tan or sun burn is only a threat during summer months when we feel the sun rays piercing on the skin, but the truth is that UVA rays of the sun are equally powerful during both summer and winter months.

These rays penetrate the epidermis (outer layer) of the skin and reach the dermis and cause sun tan as well as other side effects.

In this article, we have put together a list of some of the most effective home remedies to get rid of sun tan naturally and also some tips to prevent and avoid sun tan.

Ways to Prevent Sun Tan

While it’s not possible to avoid the sun completely, you can always take precautions to minimize sun tan.

Use Sunscreen – Make it a habit to use sunscreen every day in order to reduce sun tan. Choose a sunscreen with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection in order to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. If you plan to stay outdoors for more than an hour then carry the sunscreen along with you and reapply it every 2 hours.

Wear protective clothing – Protective clothing that covers your arms and legs can prevent overexposure to UV rays during outdoor activities. Wear long sleeved tops and long pants to ensure maximum skin protection.

Avoid Going out During Peak Hours – The sun is at its peak and the UV rays are more intense between 10 AM and 4 PM. If possible, try to avoid scheduling your outdoor activities during the peak hours.

Carry an Umbrella – Try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Although, an umbrella does not block UV rays entirely, it can provide protection against the glares of reflected rays.

Home Remedies to Remove Sun Tan

Cucumber and Lemon Juice – The mixture of cucumber extract and lemon juice works as an effective remedy for sun tan removal because both these ingredients have skin lightening properties. Lemon juice in particular contains high levels of vitamin C and citric acid and both these components help to exfoliate the skin and remove darkened and dead skin cells. The cooling property of cucumber along with its high water content helps to soothe sunburns and re-hydrate the skin.

Usage:

• Peel and grate half of a cucumber
• Add 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice to it
• Mix the ingredients and apply on tanned skin
• Wait for 10 minutes and then wash off with water

Caution – Lemon juice makes your skin extra-sensitive to sunlight, so make it a point to use this remedy only at night.

Sandalwood Powder and Rose Water – The natural essential oil present in sandalwood has potent anti-inflammatory property that helps to soothe sunburnt skin. Rose water is loaded with antioxidants that regenerate skin tissues and in addition it helps to hydrate and revitalize the damaged skin.

Usage:

• Take 2 tablespoons of pure sandalwood powder in a bowl
• Add some rose water to it and mix with a spatula to get a smooth but thick consistency
• Apply a layer of the sandal wood paste on the tanned skin and let it dry
• Wash off with water and moisturize your skin

Potato Juice – When it comes to skin whitening and removing sun tan, nothing works like potato juice. A specific enzyme called catecholase enzyme present in potatoes help to lighten blemishes, dark spots and sun tan while its vitamin B6 content promotes cell regeneration.

Usage:

• Take a medium sized potato and peel it
• Grate this potato using a vegetable grater
• Squeeze out all the juices from the potato pulp
• Apply the potato juice to the tanned areas directly using a cotton ball
• Wait for 15 minutes and then wash off with water

Yogurt – Lactic acid, the key nutrient in yogurt possesses potent exfoliating property that helps to remove the damaged and dead skin cells caused by tanning and reveal the layer of new skin cells. In addition, nutrients calcium and B-vitamin Riboflavin present in yogurt also promote new cell growth and regeneration.

Usage:

• Take around 2 tablespoons of fresh, unflavoured and unsweetened yogurt in a bowl
• Whisk it with a spoon and apply it evenly on the tanned skin
• Wait for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash off with water

Aloe Vera – Aloe vera gel contains a hormone Giberellin that boosts the growth of new skin cells and speeds up the healing process of damaged and sunburnt skin. It also acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin and its antioxidant content (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene) helps to keep the skin healthy.

Usage:

• Scrape out the clear gel from inside an aloe vera leaf
• Collect the gel in a bowl and whisk it with a fork
• Apply the gel directly to tanned and sunburnt skin
• Wait for 10 minutes and then wash off with water

Tomato Juice – Nutrient lycopene present in tomatoes protects the skin from the harmful rays of the sun and it even reduces the risk of skin cancer. In addition, the cooling and soothing properties of tomatoes help to soothe raw and burnt skin.

Usage:

• Take a medium sized ripe tomato
• Mash it to make a smooth paste
• Apply the paste all over the tanned skin
• Wait for 15 minutes and then wash off with water

Papaya and Honey – Enzyme Papain present in ripe papaya has an exfoliating action on the skin that helps to remove the layer of dead skin cells while its vitamin C content protects the skin against sun damage. The antioxidants and enzymes present in honey help to cleanse and nourish the skin and boost the regeneration of new skin cells.

Usage:

• Take a few cubes of ripe papaya in a bowl
• Mash it to form a smooth paste
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey and mix thoroughly
• Apply this paste on the tanned areas of the skin
• Wait for 15 minutes and wash off with water

Besan (Gram Flour) and Turmeric – The mild exfoliating property of besan helps to get rid of the damaged and dead skin cells in a gentle manner. Turmeric, on the other hand, contains a bioactive component called curcumin that helps to reduce inflammation and boost skin healing.

Usage:

• Take 2 tablespoons of besan in a bowl
• Add a pinch of turmeric power to it
• Add some water and mix it to form a smooth paste
• Apply this paste to the tanned areas
• Wait for 20 minutes and then wash off with water

Oats and Buttermilk – The antioxidants present in oats help to reverse the skin damage caused by the harsh UV rays of the sun. The gritty texture of oats also makes it an excellent exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells and boost cell regeneration. Buttermilk helps to sooth and nourishes the skin.

Usage:

• Take 2 tablespoons of oats in a bowl
• Add some buttermilk to it to form a thick paste
• Apply this mixture to the tanned areas and massage gently for 5 minutes
• Leave it on for another 10 minutes and then wash off with water

Coconut Water – High level of antioxidants and vitamin C present in coconut water helps to sooth sunburn and speed up the healing process of the damaged skin.

Usage:

• Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of fresh coconut water in a bowl
• Dip a cotton ball into it and dab on the tanned skin
• Wait for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash off with water

Although, these home remedies can help you to get rid of mild tanning, it is best to consult a doctor if you have suffered severe sun tan in order to treat inflammation and prevent sun poisoning.