How To Remove Tan After A Holiday
How To Remove Tan After A Holiday
By Anupriya Jamuar
Back from your vacay days with new memories, cute little souvenirs and that annoying tan that shows up every time you enjoy some time in the sun? Vacations are fun but post-vacation tan? Not so much, especially with the temperatures starting to rise again, and the oncoming of sunshine season, you can expect far deeper skin tans which might take longer to fade.
Even though tanning is not something we enjoy that much (*cough* fake tan community *cough*), it is simply a way for our skin to protect itself.
Tanning is your skin’s reaction to being exposed to the harsh UV rays of the sun that can lead to permanent skin damage. Hence, your body releases skin pigment (melanin) to absorb these harmful rays. These melanocytes (melanin cells in your body) are triggered by the UV rays themselves, meaning, the more you’re exposed to the sun, the higher the UV radiation and hence, the deeper the tan.
Even though any part of your body can tan, the areas that suffer the most are your face and hands as they are often left exposed to brave the sunny world.
Some effects of suntan include;
- Darker skin tone
- Dullness
- Sunspots
- Early signs of ageing
- Skin cancer
So, if you’re a victim of the cruel sun once again and don’t plan to keep looking like a two-toned jewel, then we’re here to tell you, skin tanning is annoying to get rid of but not impossible. In fact, it might be easier than you might think.
Wondering how to get rid of tan? Let’s find out.
How to remove tan: Try vitamin C
Vitamin C naturally inhibits melanin production in your skin to help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It also brightens your skin to boost back glow into your otherwise unhappy, and dull-looking skin.
We suggest you include vitamin C in your skincare regime to get rid of tan.
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How to remove tan: Invest in tan removal creams
Tan removal creams work to brighten your skin. The formulas are packed full of brightening actives and antioxidants that lighten your skin tone and boost glow back into the dull skin cells.
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How to remove tan: Exfoliate your skin
Gently exfoliating your skin will help get rid of dead skin cells on your epidermis hence, brightening your skin tone. But make sure once you’ve exfoliated your skin, stay out of direct sunlight and religiously wear SPF as the sun can increase your skin’s sensitivity.
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Up Next: Is over-exfoliation a thing? How to know when you’re doing it?
How to remove tan: Apply a de-tanning face pack
To see some instant results, apply a de-tan face pack. De-tan face packs help balance your skin’s pH, brighten the skin tone, and soothe any skin irritation you might have due to long UV exposure. Also, rich with actives and antioxidants, these face packs improve your skin over time with consistent use.
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How to remove tan: Consider SPF protection
Prevention is always easier and better than cure, and SPF gives you just that when it comes to tanning. So, whether you’re looking for ways to escape the damaging effects of the sun or ways to prevent tanning, sunscreen is your best bet. Use your sunscreens vigilantly every day before you step outside and don’t forget to pick a SPF 50+ broad-spectrum formula for maximum protection.
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Up Next: How much SPF should you apply according to a dermat?
How to remove tan: The trove of other alternatives
You’ll find plenty of advice on DIYs on how to detan quickly, but we would suggest you stick to products that are formulated by skin exerts to avoid any mishaps. Because that’s the thing about DIYs, they’re really tricky and you never know if it’ll work on your skin, unlike a well-formulated de-tanning kit that is expert-approved and target your exact skin issue.
So, here are some other de-tanning kits you can try to get rid of your tan:
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How to remove tan: Prevention before cure
You’ve read all about how to get rid of tan and what products to use. Now, let’s find out what you can do differently to prevent skin-tanning in the first place.
- Shade is the best sun block – And also the most neglected solution. Make sure to wear large hat or long-sleeved clothes to protect your skin from direct sun exposure.
- Stay vigilant with your sunscreen game – Don't forget to apply your sunscreen before you step outside, or even while you’re inside your house. Reapply it every two hours to ensure you’re getting maximum protection.
Get your burning de-tanning questions answered
Q. Why do I tan so quickly?
- If you have more melanin in your skin, aka darker skin tone, you tend to tan quickly as your melanocytes are easily triggered.
Q. How long will my tan last?
- A normal to moderate tan can last anywhere from 1-4 weeks depending on what treatments you’re using to de-tan your skin.
Q. Will my tan go away on its own?
-Tan does fade off as your skin sheds itself overtime but that is a long time, and the post-tan dullness can still stick around. So, if you want to brighten your skin quickly, we suggest using the right de-tanning products.