There are two kinds of people in the world – ones who love soaking up the summer sun and the others who dread the face tan. Summers wreck the colour of our face and makes it two shades darker than the rest of our body. But to avoid a face tan we cannot spend the lovely summers by sitting indoors. We’ll give you a few tips and tricks on how to remove tan from face and enjoy the summer season to the fullest. In this article, we will also understand the science behind face tanning, how to remove tan from face immediately, how to make a de tan face pack at home and the importance of applying sunscreen.
Sun-Kissed Skin Woes: Tips and Tricks to Fade and Prevent Face Tan: The Basics
While a sun-kissed glow can add a touch of radiance to your appearance, excessive sun exposure can lead to an unwanted face tan. Face tans lead to uneven skin tone, where some areas of the face are darker than others. This can result in a patchy appearance. Excessive sun exposure can accelerate the ageing process, causing fine lines, wrinkles and sunspots to appear prematurely on the face. A face tan can alter one’s natural skin colour, making it challenging to find the right shade of foundation. Dealing with a sun tan may also become an ongoing struggle to fade or reverse the effects of sun exposure.
To overcome these struggles and maintain a healthy, even complexion, it’s essential to take preventive measures to protect the face from harmful UV rays and adopt a consistent skin care routine. Embracing sun-safe practices and using sunscreens, hats and sunglasses can help prevent face tans and protect the skin from damage.
Understanding Face Tan
The face is often more exposed to the sun than other body parts. This continuous exposure to UV rays contributes to faster tanning, resulting in developing a face tan. The skin on the face is generally thinner and more delicate compared to the skin on the rest of the body. Thinner skin contains fewer melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives the skin the colour. When there is excessive exposure to sun rays, melanocytes produce more melanin to protect the skin from further damage. This increase in melanin leads to darkening of the skin, commonly known as a face tan.
Soothing Sunburnt Skin
Sunburn typically appears withing a few hours of sun exposure and can be accompanied by symptoms like pain, tenderness and swelling. To soothe sunburnt skin naturally at home, apply aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is one of the most popular and effective remedies for soothing sunburn. Its anti-inflammatory and cooling properties can help reduce redness and discomfort. Apply pure aloe vera gel directly to the affected areas.
You can also apply a cool, damp cloth or compress to the sunburnt skin as it can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Applying cucumber slices can also provide a cooling effect on sunburnt skin as cucumber has a high-water content.
Protect your face and body with Lakme Sun Expert Ultra Matte Spray. This sun spray comes with an advanced lightweight formula that hydrates your skin with a silky-soft feeling. SPF 50 sunscreen shiels from UVB rays known to cause skin burns. PA+++ factor indicates protection from UVA rays known to cause dark spots and skin darkening. This tinted sunscreen leaves no white casts and leaves a smooth and even finish.
Fade Away: Home Remedies
Here are some natural remedies to remove face tan at home:
1) Lemon and Honey Face Pack
Mix one tablespoon lemon juice and one tablespoon honey in a bowl. Apply the mixture to your face, focusing on the tanned areas. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse off with cool water. Lemon contains natural bleaching properties that can help lighten the skin, while honey moisturises and soothes the skin.
2) Yogurt and Turmeric Face Pack
Combine one tablespoon plain yogurt and half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to form a paste. Apply the pack, leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse. Turmeric has healing and skin-lightening properties and yogurt helps hydrate and soothe the skin.
Power of Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a crucial role in reversing skin damage and reducing the appearance of sun tanning. It is a powerful antioxidant that can help neutralise free radicals, preventing them from causing further damage to the skin cells. Vitamin C’s anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe the skin and reduce redness and irritation caused by sunburn. We recommend incorporating a de tan face wash as the first step to combat face tan. Suitable for all skin types, use Pond’s Detan Face Wash with Vitamin C and Niacinamide. Vitamin C helps reduce sun tan and niacinamide is known for its brightening properties.
After cleansing, finishing your skin care routine is a non-negotiable step. Use Pond’s Serum Boost Sunscreen Gel to prevent and fade dark patches. This sunscreen is non-oily and non-sticky, ultra-light and leaves no white cast and is quick absorbing. With the power of niacinamide-C serum and SPF it protects, brightens and moisturises the skin.
Exfoliation: Buff Off the Tan
Exfoliating is essential for removing tanned skin cells and promoting a more even skin tone. Exfoliation helps shed tanned skin cells, revealing fresher and healthier skin underneath. Exfoliating regularly helps fade hyperpigmentation caused by tanning. It’s important to exfoliate with care, especially if you have a sunburn or highly sensitive skin.
For gentle exfoliation, we recommend using Lakme Sun Expert De Tan Scrub. Formulated with oatmeal extract, 100% natural walnut exfoliant, it helps in deep cleansing pores, remove dirt, pollution and reduces tan while being gentle on the skin. The dual-purpose formula can be used as a scrub and can also be left as a mask.
FAQs about Sun-Kissed Skin Woes: Tips and Tricks to Fade and Prevent Face Tan
Q1. How to conceal face tan with makeup?
A. Mix two shades of foundations, one matching to your skin tone and the other slightly darker to help with face tan during summers.
Q2. How can you prevent sun tan?
A. Minimise sun exposure during peak hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest, usually between noon till 4 pm. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses or a cap if you need to go out during these hours.
Q3. When to seek medical help for face tan?
A. If your face tan does not fade over time or if you notice unusual changes in your skin such as new moles, dark spots or patches that seem to be growing or spreading, it’s essential to have a dermatologist evaluate your skin.
Whether you’re planning a beach vacation or just heading out on a sunny day, incorporating these preventative measures into your daily routine can make a significant difference in preserving your skin’s youthful appearance and avoiding the dreaded face tan.
Written by Sania Dhirwani on Aug 10, 2023