Sun tan wreaks havoc on your skin, and while most of us are smart enough to apply sunscreen on our faces, we usually don’t give our bodies and hands as much sun protection—in fact, sometimes none at all. Any wonder that the face on your skin looks so much more even-toned and lighter than the rest of your body? Now the great thing about Indian skin is that because of the melanin content which gives us our wheatish colour, our skin tans instead of burning. In fact, tanning is the way our skin protects itself against exposure to the harsh rays of the sun. So, today we’re going to go a step further and talk about home remedies you can use to help even out the colour of your skin tone and how to remove sun tan from your hands.
What Causes Sun Tan?
The harsh rays of the sun cause pigmentation of your skin, which is referred to as a sun tan. Prolonged exposure to the sun leads to the overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its colour. This makes your skin look darker, also making it lose its sheen. However, contrary to popular perception, the excessive production of melanin is not the reason behind a sun tan. It is simply a way by which your skin protects itself from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
8 Home Remedies To Remove Tan From Hands
Wondering how to remove tan from hands? Here are 8 DIY home remedies to get you started.
1. Dahi (Yoghurt) & Lemon Mask To Reduce Pigmentation
Yoghurt contains lactic acid, which acts as an exfoliant and gently gets rid of the tan and treats pigmentation. As for lemon juice, it is rich in skin-brightening vitamin C, and a whole host of benefits. Apply this mask at least twice every week.
Ingredients
- 2-3 tbsp of yoghurt
- 1 tbsp of lemon juice
How To Use It
- Add lemon juice to the yoghurt and mix thoroughly.
- Apply this paste to your tanned hands and let it stay for 15 minutes or till it dries completely.
- Rinse it off with plain water.
2. Tomato Scrub To Exfoliate Sun Tan
Tomatoes contain bioactive compounds that do wonders in removing tan caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun. It is rich in lycopene and acts as a natural bleaching agent.
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized tomatoes
How To Use It
- Deseed the tomatoes and make a smooth paste out of the pulp.
- Apply it on your hands liberally.
- Let it dry completely before washing it off with water.
3. Aloe Vera & Honey Hand Cream To Heal Sun Tan
Explore this aloe vera and honey hand cream if your hands are a bit sore from exposure to the sun, especially if you notice cracked sensitive skin, peeling, and redness. Aloe is packed with water and acts as a soothing agent while the honey is a natural humectant that deeply moisturises and nourishes your skin.
Ingredients
- 2-3 tbsp of aloe vera gel
- 1 tsp honey
How To Use It
- Scoop the aloe vera gel out of the leaf, add honey to it, and blend it thoroughly to get an even paste.
- Apply the mask to your hands and let it stay for 10 minutes.
- Wash it off with plain water.
- Use this paste 2 to 3 times a week for best results.
4. Cucumber & Aloe Vera Lotion To Hydrate Tanned Skin
If your skin is looking burnt and dehydrated, then this cucumber and aloe vera lotion is perfect for you. Both ingredients are deeply hydrating and have bioactive compounds that remove sun tan efficiently. The cooling effect calms irritation and redness on the skin protects against sunburn and saves the skin from sun damage caused due to a tan. What’s more, the solution also serves as a great cleanser.
Ingredients
- ½ cucumber
- 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
How To Use It
- Cut a cucumber in half and add one-half of it in a mixer. Blend it till you get a smooth paste.
- Add the aloe vera gel and mix the ingredients well to get an even paste.
- Apply this paste to your hands and wash it off with water.
5. Papita (Papaya) & Lemon Mask To Remove Tan
Rich in vitamins A and C, Papaya extracts are a wonderful exfoliant as it is a natural form of alpha-hydroxy acids. Paired with vitamin C-rich lemon, this mask removes dead skin cells and acts as a natural brightening solution.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe papaya
- 1 lemon
How To Use It
- Extract the pulp of the papaya, add lemon juice to it, and blend well.
- Apply it on your hands and let it stay for 15 to 20 minutes or till it has dried completely.
- Rinse it off with water.
6. Shahad (Honey) & Lemon Juice Mask To Treat Sun Damage
Honey has deep hydrating properties and makes your skin soft and supple. It also contains antioxidants that reverse the effects of the sun on your skin. When mixed with lemon, it makes for the perfect tan removal mask that’s gentle on the skin.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 fresh lemon juice
How To Use It
- Mix the ingredients together to get an evenly blended paste.
- Apply this mixture to your hands.
- Let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes, or till it dries entirely.
- Wash it off with water.
7. Haldi (Turmeric) & Milk Pack For Tan
The curcumin in turmeric reduces the production of melanin, which helps fade the tan on your skin. Paired with milk which is rich in proteins and probiotics, this DIY pack works like a wonderful hand cream that heals and nourishes at the same time.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp of milk
How To Use It
- Blend the ingredients together to get an even paste.
- Apply it on your hands liberally,
- Let it dry completely.
- Rinse it off with water.
8. Masoor Dal (Red Lentils) & Milk DIY Scrub To Remove Tan
One of the favourite nuskhe of our dadis and nanis, red lentils are as much effective for skin care as it is as a source of protein. This Ayurvedic remedy is an effective exfoliant that removes the tan from the upper layers of the skin, making your skin look radiant.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp masoor dal
- 4 tsp milk
How To Use It
- Soak the lentils overnight and blend them in a mixer to get a coarse paste.
- Add milk to it and mix the ingredients.
- Massage it onto your tanned hands and let it stay for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
5 Tips To Prevent Tan From Your Hands
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on the exposed areas of your skin, even when you’re indoors.
- Stay indoors, especially during the afternoon, when the sun’s rays are the most harsh.
- Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours, so it does not wear off.
- Wear loose-fitted, full-sleeved, light-coloured clothes in breathable fabric like cotton. Dark-coloured, tight-fitted clothes make it difficult for you to breathe and feel comfortable.
- Carry an umbrella, hat, cap, or scarf before stepping out into the sun, and to protect your hands, opt for long sleeves.
FAQs
1. Can sunscreen remove tan?
No, sunscreens are effective in protecting your skin against the sun’s rays but do not remove tan. However, you can invest in a sun tan removal cream for hands, apart from the various home remedies you can explore with ingredients like turmeric, yoghurt, lemon, etc.
2. How many days does it take to remove a sun tan?
A sun tan is difficult to get rid of on its own. However, DIY home remedies using yoghurt, cucumber, and lemon, just to name a few, can help you remove the tan faster, without harming your skin.
3. Can a cucumber paste help me remove tan?
If you want to know how to remove tan from your hands, yes, cucumber is one of the most effective natural remedies you can experiment with. It has a cooling effect on your skin that soothes skin irritations and redness, reverses skin damage, and also protects you against sunburn and skin damage.
The next time you hear yourself complain about that sun tan that refuses to go, follow the above home remedies that will treat it effectively and also prevent further tanning. Go, try them out and keep sun tan at bay, along with the damage it causes to your skin. You can also use a sun tan removal cream for your hands and see whether it works out well for you.
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