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How to Get Rid of Suntan

suntan

Developing a suntan is the skin’s mechanism of protecting itself from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

When exposed to UV radiation from the sun for a period of time, the skin increases the production of melanin to avoid further skin damage.The increase in melanin, however, darkens the skin tone within two days of exposure.

In addition, overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (sun-tanning) tends to cause your skin to age more quickly. It makes the skin, dry, wrinkled, and freckled over time.

If premature aging and wrinkled skin don’t scare you, consider the fact that overexposure to ultraviolet radiation weakens the immune system and raises your risk of developing skin cancer.

The actual amount of time a person needs to spend in the sun to be affected by UV radiation varies, as some individuals will tan more easily than others. Moreover, certain cosmetic products and medications also make your skin more susceptible to UV radiation.

The most common symptom of sunburn is redness due to increased blood flow, making the skin warm to touch. Plus, it can cause the affected area to itch, peel, and develop a rash.

The symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on your skin type, factors such as location, duration, and altitude of exposure.

How to Get Rid of a Suntan

Given below are 10 safe and natural cures for suntan.

  1. Coconut Water
  2. Tomato Juice and Yogurt
  3. Orange Juice
  4. Buttermilk
  5. Cucumber
  6. Lemon and Honey
  7. Chilled Potato Slices
  8. Sandalwood and Milk
  9. Milk and Honey
  10. Yogurt, Lime Juice, and Honey Mask

 

  1. Coconut Water

    • Apply coconut water to the affected area.
    • Leave it on for 30 minutes.
    • Wash off with clean, cold water.

    The use of fresh coconut water on skin is a simple, yet effective natural cure for a suntan.

    *You can also drink tender coconut water regularly as a natural energy drink.

  2. Tomato Juice and Yogurt

    • Combine tomato juice with equal parts yogurt.
    • Apply to affected skin.
    • Leave for 30 minutes.
    • Rinse with clean, cool water.

    Basically, citrus fruits contain ascorbic acid which has high antioxidant properties that help fade the tan. Yogurt contains lactic acid that lightens the tan.

    *You can also use a mixture of lemon juice and yogurt. If you do not have plain yogurt then you can use sour cream.

  3. Orange Juice

    • Apply orange juice to the affected area.

    This remedy is useful in eliminating a suntan because it contains natural alpha hydroxy acids.

  4. Buttermilk

    • Apply buttermilk to the affected area.
    • Leave on for at least 20 minutes.
    • Rinse with clean, cool water.
    • Repeat twice a day until sunburn is gone.

    Buttermilk is considered excellent for soothing sunburned skin.

    *To increase the effectiveness of this remedy, you can add crushed oats and lemon juice/orange juice to the buttermilk before applying.

  5. Cucumber

    • Blend half a cucumber in a blender along with an equal amount of yogurt.
    • Add a few drops of rose water, and sandalwood powder to form a paste.
    • Apply to the affected area and leave on for at least 30 minutes.
    • Rinse with clean, cool water.
    • Repeat daily until your sunburn is gone.

    Apart from treating a suntan, cucumber has a cooling effect on the skin.

    *Alternately you may apply a mixture of two tablespoons of cucumber juice, one tablespoon of lime juice, and a pinch of turmeric for 15-20 minutes regularly.

  6. Lemon and Honey

    • Mix one teaspoon each of lemon juice and organic honey.
    • Apply this mixture on the affected areas.
    • Leave on for 10 minutes.
    • Rinse off with clean, cool water.

    *Alternately, you can apply a combination of lemon juice, cucumber juice, and rose water to reduce suntan.

  7. Chilled Potato Slices

    • Chill thin slices of potato.
    • Apply these to the affected areas.
    • Leave on for 30 minutes.
    • Repeat daily until skin has returned to normal.

    This has a bleaching effect that helps lighten a suntan.

  8. Sandalwood and Milk

    • Add a tablespoon of sandalwood powder to a cup of raw milk.
    • Smear this mixture on your skin.
    • Let dry.
    • Rinse off with clean, cool water.
    • Repeat regularly.

    Regular application of this home remedy is highly beneficial in getting rid of suntan and improving the skin tone.

  9. Milk and Honey

    • Combine four tablespoons of raw milk with two tablespoons of lemon juice and a tablespoon of honey.
    • Apply to affected area.
    • Let sit for 20 minutes.
    • Rinse off with clean, cool water.

    Cold milk is helpful in soothing sunburn.

  10. Yogurt, Lime and Honey

    • Mix four tablespoons of yogurt, three tablespoons of lime juice, two tablespoons of honey, and a little cornstarch or gram flour.
    • Apply to affected area.
    • Let dry.
    • Rinse with clean, cool water.

    This one is excellent if you have oily skin.

    *Quick Tips

    Apply aloe vera gel daily on your skin for a few weeks to nourish the skin and cure a suntan.

    Rubbing raw papaya on the skin has a bleaching effect, which means it can help remove suntan and dark spots.

Tips to Prevent a Suntan

  • As prevention is the best cure, it is best to avoid excessive sun exposure by wearing wide brimmed hats, scarves, long sleeved clothes, sunglasses, etc.
  • You can also carry an umbrella with you. In addition, before going out in the sun, make sure you wear a sunblock lotion with an SPF 30 or more. It is best to apply it liberally, at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every few hours. When going in the water, use a waterproof sunscreen.
  • Preferably, stay out of the sun during peak hours, from 10am to 4 pm.

Dos and Don’ts

Dos Don’ts
tickDo exfoliate your skin on a regular basis. crossIn case you have developed blisters on your skin due to sunburn, do not peel these blisters.
tickDo use an aloe-based moisturizer. crossDo not use petroleum jelly on sunburn as it traps heat.
tickDo use cortisone ointment to soothe the burning sensation and swelling caused by sunburn.
tickDo drink adequate water throughout the day to rejuvenate the skin.
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7 Comments

  1. Onyeka

    August 16, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    Am light in complexion due to d weather condition here and my type of work,am having dark patches&suntan on my face have used many cream bt are nt working.How can i get rid of them,i need ur help.tanks

    Reply

  2. Carlos Ramos

    August 22, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    I’m a cross country runner in high school. We have practice every day in morning or sometimes in the evening, we run a lot of miles in the sun, I wear a non sleeves shirt when I’m running. When I got home from practice, I went to go take a shower then I took off my shirt and I look at myself at the mirrow, I saw my whole both amrs so tan and my legs!!!! I was really in shock that I have a bad tanning. I really don’t love it and I want to rid of it and get my original color back. Soo any edivice to remove that tan and some tips what to use/wear when I’m running in the sun? Please reply back. Thank you

    Reply

    • Caitlyn

      March 26, 2014 at 6:55 am

      Hey 🙂 i put aloe vera gel on my skin everyday for almost a whole month now and my the suntans on my face are fading away. I wear sunglasses often, and normally my nose gets really dark and annoys me when i take off my glasses. So the only cure i can suggest to you is aloe vera. And i am an athlete at my school too and we run during most lunchtimes, when it is really sunny. I wear a longsleeve exercise shirt and just lather my legs in sunblock. Maybe its just me, but I usually prefer being stuffy and sweaty than wearing shortsleeves and getting a really bad sun tan. Hope this helps! Oh btw, the exercise shirt looks like a really tight sweatsuit. I got it for pretty cheap. U can also buy long pants too, but i dont really get affected on my legs.

      Reply

      • Leah vig

        January 27, 2015 at 10:29 pm

        How long do you leave the aloe Vera on?

        Reply

  3. Soraya

    February 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Okay so nowadays my skin is uneven. There’s a tanline between my legs and feet. My feet is dark peach and my legs are peachy-light brown. I have a tanline between my legs and my private area. That area surprisingly is peachy-light brown. There is a tanline shaped like a line underneath my belly button. Below is brown, and my belly is a dank darker brown. By my chest is a yellowy-brown. My armpits aren’t dark. They’re a yellowy brown too. My back is a natural brown. Behind my neck is light brown, and in front of my neck is a slightly darker brown. My arms, and face are mostly tanned. Though I have a tanline between my forehead and the rest of my face. I suppose my natural skin color is a yellowy-peach because that’s the color of my scalp. I despise these tanlines. I try combing my bangs a special way and taking pictures very brightly so it would hide my tanline on the forehead. And I’ve been wearing long sleeves and t-shirts and jeans for all seasons. I’m too lazy to apply sunscreen. And sunscreen doesn’t prevent tans. I want my natural colors back so I could wear summer clothes and look good at them. I can’t do a fake makeup way because I won’t be able to have fun. Please give me some advice for these crazy tans.

    Reply

  4. Robert

    March 15, 2015 at 1:55 pm

    I was away from home for a period of five months for work. Where i stayed i did some sightseeing unmindful of the toll it would take on my complexion. Upon getting back i was told that i had tanned i really do want to get back to my original complexion.which amongst the above remedies is most effective? Is there an outside chance of it turning out to be counterproductive. Cuz I’ve heard that lemon juice increases photosensitivity of the skin and i am inevitably exposed to the sun for atleast 10 days every morning

    Reply

  5. Gf

    September 1, 2015 at 11:58 pm

    I came back from my holiday but where I have burned has now gone darker in two big patches on my leg any advice on evening it out of getting rid of it etc

    Reply

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