Detan your skin with natural home remedies

We all know that during the summer season the sun is brutal and very harsh on the skin. As you step out in the sun, there are almost 70% chances of getting suntan and sunburn, even if you have applied any number of cream packs. In this article, we will be discussing de tan and will be explaining the following points.

What is tanning?

In simple words, tanning is the process in which the skin pigment melanin is increased due to the overexposure to the sunlight. This is the natural way of protecting the skin from sun damage.  Face, neck, arms, hands, feet, are some of the areas that are more prone to suntan. Visible signs of ageing, increasing risk of carcinoma, melanoma and skin cancer are some of the tanning effects.

Causes of tan:

The sun emits three different wavelengths of the ultraviolet light (UV rays) which is:

• UVA
• UVB
• UVC

UVA and UVB radiations can penetrate deep into your skin layers and can cause serious damage. Excess of melanin (skin-dark pigment) is produced by melanocytes when UVA radiations penetrate deep into the skin, which supplementary darkens the skin due to oxidation and causes tanning.

What is de tan?

De tan meaning: In simple words, de-tan is the process of removing the pile-up of  cells and skin which is tanned due to the exposure to pollution and radiation emitted by the sun. Please note that it is not an alternative to get fairer skin, but it is done to remove the tanned skin to counterbalance the skin tone.

How to de-tan at home?

There are so many effective methods to get rid of the tanned skin as most of the effective natural de-tanning ingredients are readily available in most of the homes. A proper skin care regime helps to get rid of tan easily at home and get back the original skin tone.

De-tan home remedies are:

• Milk and cucumber:

Both milk and cucumber are exceptionally advantageous for the skin as milk has moisturizing property and cucumber has cooling properties. A de-tan face pack can be made easily by combining both of them.

Usage: Make cucumber juice with the help of a blender and combine it with milk. Mix well and apply to the tanned area and leave it for about 20 minutes. Repeating this procedure twice a day will surely give good results.

• Aloe vera and lemon juice:

Applying aloe vera gel on the deeply tanned area is immensely beneficial for the skin. Aloe vera gel acts as protection and a healing layer when applied and it also helps to replenish the natural moisture of the skin. It also reduces wrinkles and fights signs of ageing.

One can also use aloe vera, lemon juice and honey to detan yourself.

Usage: Take lemon juice and add aloe vera gel and lemon juice in a container. Apply on the face for about 20-25 minutes and always use a cotton ball to remove or apply the mixture. You can practice it every day for the removal of the tan.

• Tomatoes: 

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which acts as a natural sunscreen for the skin and can do wonders in de-tanning your skin. The antioxidant activity of the tomato prevents the reddening of the skin and also fights cellular damage.

Usage: Mash the tomatoes and separate the pulp. Apply the juice from the pulp to the face and leave it for about 15-20 minutes till it dries up. Rinse it up with cold water. It should be done twice a week for better results.

• Papaya:

Papaya is a wonderful option when it comes to de-tan. The enzyme present in papaya is said to have skin lightening properties that reduces scars, blemishes and also helps in removing the suntan. The papaya refreshes your skin and gives a smooth finish and a radiant glow.

Usage: Mash up the slices of papaya and rub it against the face. Let the sticky fluid set there for about 15 minutes and rinse it once dried. Repeat this procedure twice a day.

• Coconut Water:

Coconut water not only removes the sun tan but also helps to remove the scars. Rose water can also be used for the removal of tan.
Usage: Clean the face with lukewarm water and apply fresh coconut water over the affected areas. Leave it there for about 30 minutes and let it dry. Carry on with this procedure for a few weeks.

Tan removal treatments:

Sun tanning can also lead to ageing and skin damage. So one should recognize the skin type and try to get rid of the tan by right tan removal treatments. If the de-tanning of the skin at home doesn't work you can try these treatments.

• Microdermabrasions:

Methods of microdermabrasion:

• Diamond-tip microdermabrasion:

In this type, the skin is exfoliated directly by an applicator.

• Crystal microdermabrasion:

In this process, small minute particles are sprayed through a wand on the face.

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that exfoliates the dead skin cells containing the excess of accumulated melanin. This process promotes the regeneration of new cells more quickly. As a result, the skin becomes more toned, youthful and looks firmer.

• Chemical peels:

Peels having different concentration strengths treats the tanned and dark skin.

Types of chemical peels:

• Deep peel
• Medium peel
• Superficial peel

Chemical peels use carbolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid. These peels remove the superficial dead skin that have an excess of melanin and help in rapid exfoliation and regeneration of the skin cells.

• Laser Toning:

It is performed by a dermatologist. A laser device is used to break the melanin pigment which ultimately minimizes the tan. A high intensity monochromatic coherent light from a laser gets converted into heat energy which when used on the skin and targets the melanin pigment without damaging the neighbouring tissue. These lasers get rid of the excess of melanin.

The chances of getting a suntan and sunburn are high during the summer season. Sunburn leads to suntan.

One way to avoid suntan is to use sunscreen. Sunscreen should have SPF of at least 15, but sunscreen of greater SPF should be used like SPF 50 if you are going out for long hours in the sun. Discover more about how to de-tan at home.