Summer is about to come and this is the right time for you to enjoy long swims in the pool or to have fun on a beach. Picnics on beaches are fun. As you take post-beach showers and face mirrors, you have a complete disappointment in seeing awkward strips formed on the body caused by the sun tanning. This sun tanning happens due to harmful UV rays exposure on the body which is why the skin starts to lose its original color. Moreover wearing accessories for a long period can also cause tanning on the skin. Such accessories which make the skin lose its color include watches and bracelets. This tanning and unwanted color of skin can make your skin look odd.
We all can have tanning and this uneven skin color due to any reason which just can’t be washed off simply. Men can hide these tans from there face by the beard. One best and the simplest thing you can do to lighten these sun tans is simply by avoiding them to happen at first. You can try different sun protection to avoid unnecessary tans to your skin. Wearing a hat, full clothes or applying sunscreen when you’re outside can help prevent such tans. You need to apply a good sunscreen at least every three hours.
Below mentioned are some of the natural and the most effective ways on how to get rid of tan lines that you can try at your home to remove the tans and bring your skin back to its normal color.
Table of Contents
1- Exfoliation
Exfoliation is effective in removing the suntans. It can be done with a store brought or a home-made scrub which helps in lightening the skin color by treating all the dead skin cells. Scrubbing once a day can help you remove the tans but you have to make sure to avoid sun exposure immediately after exfoliating. Dead skin cells on the outer layer of skin save the skin from UV rays of the sun and when they are removed, skin can become more prone to tanning and sunburn.
2- Aloe vera
Aloe vera is one of the most known anti-inflammatory soothers for the skin. According to a recent study, aloe vera reduces the pigmentation on the skin and brings the skin back to its original color.
3- Turmeric
Turmeric has a lot of uses but it is one of the ancient skin treatments. Turmeric, the yellow spice was used as the skin lightener. It doesn’t only lighten the skin color but it also reduces the skin damage caused by the sun rays. Turmeric, when mixed in cream and applied on the skin, improves the hydration of the skin and protects the natural skin oils. However, a strong turmeric mixture can cause stains on skin and even on your clothes. So don’t forget to use face wash immediately after applying the turmeric mask.
4- Use skin lightening products
Many skin treatments and skin lightening creams and serums are now available in the market which you can use to lighten the skin and get of skin tanning. Dermatologists refer the skin lightening products having vitamin C, Azelaic acid, kojic acid, and glycolic acid, etc.
5- Lemon juice
Lemon juice has proven to be one of the best natural skin lightening remedies. Lemon juice has used as the natural exfoliate but you have to rub it gently over your skin to prevent any harsh acidic reaction. You can mix honey in lemon juice for better treatment. Leave it for 25 minutes on the tan lines then rinse with fresh water.
6- Cucumber slices
Most of the times people place cucumber slices on their eyes and this is so because cucumber provides freshness to the eyes. Cucumber is rich in water contents and it has vitamin C too which is great in nourishing the skin and removes the tan lines from the body. You can lay the cucumber slices on the tanned areas or make a thick paste of cucumbers and apply it over the tanned areas. Let the cucumber paste or slices rest on the skin for 20 minutes and then rinse it with fresh water.
7- Potato slices
Potatoes have rich water contents and they have proven to heal sunburns and fade the sun tans. To heal sunburns using potatoes, take thin slices of potatoes and apply them where there are tans. Leave the slices for 15 minutes and then rinse with fresh water.
8- Baking soda
Baking soda is one of the best natural exfoliants which is effective in healing the tan lined. You can make a mixture of baking soda with sugar and water and apply it on the tans. Wait for 15 minutes and then take a shower. You can also use rose water instead of water for making the mixture. Repeat this procedure daily until your skin attains its original color.
9- Black tea
Black tea helps in healing burn lines as well as the tan line. You just need to make a cup of iced black tea and put it in a spray bottle. Take shower and spritz it on your body. This black tea tip wouldn’t only remove the tan lines but will also soothe your skin. A recent study has found that black tea is rich in contents that treat the sunburns and is effective for the skin of women as well as men. You can try the below-mentioned procedure:
- Take a cup full of hot boiling water, place two black tea bags in it and let them resolve for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, take a shower and then take out the tea mixture in a spray bottle
- Spray the tanned and untanned areas of your body and wait so that your complete body gets an even tone.
10-Milk cream
This is one of the famous remedies that most people won’t know about. Milk cream has contents which moisturizes, brightens and nourishes the skin. To heal your tan lines, mix half tablespoon of turmeric in milk cream and mix until it forms a smooth paste. Let the mixture rest on your skin for 20 minutes, and then wash with warm water.
11-Gram flour
Gram flour has regarded as one of the natural remedies to treat the dead skin cells and layers. You just need to make the mixture of gram flour and rose water and then scrub your skin with it for 15-20 minutes. Wash the skin and repeat this method until your skin attains its natural color.
12-Almond oil
Almond oil treats white patches present on the skin. You can take a mixture of almond and coconut oil and apply it on the tan lines on your body. Leave the oil for skin overnight and wash it off the next morning. This tip quickly lightens the tan lines and makes your skin look beautiful.
13-Tanner
Using a tanner doesn’t heal tanning lines permanently rather it fixes them temporarily. You just need to have a fake tanner with you and apply it over the tan lines to cover those lines by concealing them. This will provide an instant uniform tone to your skin. You can try different tanning products available in the market. You need to make sure to select the tan shades resembling the original tones of your skin. If this doesn’t provide you the required results, you can apply the tanner with a makeup brush and leave it overnight. The next morning, exfoliate the self-tanner with lemon juice or ahem. This will make your skin look even.
14-Pineapple and papaya
Fruit massage is a traditional way to heal tans and sunburns from the skin. Using papaya and pineapple can be effective on your skin in smoothening it and removing the sun lines. Mash papaya and pineapple and apply the mixture on your face and forehead. You can use a fruit mixer to mash these fruits. Leave the fruit mixture on your skin for about half an hour and then rinse it off using fresh water. Pineapple and papaya are rich in vitamin A and other nutrients to provide shine and freshness to your skin. They also brighten skin complexion.
15-Brown sugar
Brown sugar scrub is effective in removing the tan lines from the body. Follow the below-mentioned steps to make the scrub mixture:
- Take half a cup of sugar and mix it in half a cup of olive oil
- Add 3/4th cup of honey in the sugar and olive oil mixture and stir
- Stir until the mixture gets smooth.
- Apply the mixture on your skin and wash it when it completely dries
16-Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural tan remover. You just need to take a half bowl of white vinegar and dab a piece of cotton in it. Rub the tan lines with vinegar socked cotton and rub until the marks lighten. Wash off with lukewarm water once done.
17- Makeup
Makeup is an instant solution to get rid of dark tan lines on the body. This tip works the same as the self-tanners do. Makeup is effective in temporarily covering the tan lines and brings your skin back to its original tone. For this purpose, you need to get the foundation the same as your natural skin tone. This method is one of the most used instant techniques for removing tan lines. You can now attend any event and party without being conscious of these lines.
What to avoid using for removing tan lines?
Below mentioned are some of the things that you should avoid using on tan lines as they may worsen your skin condition.
- Never apply any whitening or bleaching agent on your tanned skin as they may be hazardous for the skin.
- Only lemon juice without any ingredient mixed can cause serious irritation or allergy on your skin.
- Unknown lightening products can be dangerous if used on your skin. Don’t trust any product and apply on your face without consulting a professional dermatologist.
Why tanning is important?
Tanning can be beneficial for the human body. However it has a lot of damaging effects on the body, the sun is an amazing source of obtaining vitamin D and this vitamin D strengthens teeth, bones, and skin. Sun rays also boost the serotonin levels in the body and serotonin is a natural anti-anxiety chemical produced by the human body.
People like to have minor tans on their bodies as they look good. For this tanning, they prefer the exposure of sunlight in their indoors. Such tans are known as the base tans which prevents extreme sunburns for the people who want to have an exposure of natural sunlight as an enjoyment. Sun isn’t to get afraid of especially when you are taking precautionary measures to put away the unnecessary tan lines.
Key healthy tanning tips
- Avoid tan beds
- Exfoliate the skin as much possible
- Both male and female should wear sunscreen
- Avoid prolonged sun exposures
- Eat sun friendly foods
- Wear sunglasses
How to avoid tan lines?
However, there are many ways to get rid of bad tan lines but you can also try ways to avoid suntans by protecting your body from the sun rays. Following some basic precautionary measures can be helpful in getting rid of suntans. Below mentioned are some of the tips:
- If you want to have tans on your body for any recreational purpose, then do this by being nude. This will make your skin tone even and your skin will have tans spread evenly on your body. There are nudeness laws in different states which you need to confirm before trying any such activities.
- Don’t spend too much time under the sun as it may cause permanent tans and marks on your body. Spend a maximum of 45 hours under the sun and after every 15 minutes, alternate between the front and backside of your body.
- If you are a swimmer, wear tan suits so that the tan is spread evenly on your body. You can wear bikini as well.
- Use sunscreen after every 20 minutes while you are in sun. Sunscreen provides ultimate protection from harmful sun rays.
- Use a sunscreen with SPF more than 15
- If your images have ruined with unnecessary tan lines on your body, you can edit the images through Photoshop and have an even skin tone in the images.