Vacation and suntan go hand in hand. Our hands are the most affected as they are subjected to maximum exposure to the harmful sun rays. This results in blotchy skin on your hands, which may make you very conscious, especially in social gatherings. The good news is, with the resources available at home, you can get rid of the nasty tan on your hands. If you are wondering how, keep reading and try these remedies at home.
Why Do We Get Tanned?
Tan is the pigmentation in your skin when it is exposed to excessive sunlight. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its color. On exposure to sunlight, your skin overproduces melanin, thereby imparting a tanned look. This also often makes your skin look dull. Contrary to popular belief, melanin production in your skin is not mere pigmentation but your body’s mechanism to protect you from harmful UV rays of the sun. This makes it imperative to protect your hands and prevent unwanted tanning. We have discussed prevention tips later in this article.
Home Remedies To Fade Tan From Your Hands
1. Yogurt
Yogurt contains L-cysteine peptide, a compound that is known to suppress tyrosinase activity. This helps reverse the effects of excessive pigmentation and fades the tan from your hands.
You Will Need
- 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Mix a few tablespoons of yogurt with lemon juice.
- Apply this paste on your hands and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with plain water.
How Often You Should This
You can apply this paste on your hands one to two times every week.
Caution: Do not forget to carry out a patch test before you use this remedy as lemon juice can cause skin irritation.
2. Tomato
Tomatoes are rich in bioactive compounds called carotenoids that function as photo protectants. They can reduce the tan caused by harmful UV rays of the sun.
You Will Need
2 medium-sized tomatoes
What You Have To Do
- Blend the tomatoes to make a thick paste.
- Apply this paste on your hands.
- Leave on for 15 minutes and wash it off with water.
How Often You Should This
You can do this two times a week.
3. Lemon Juice
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is the major constituent of lemon juice. It is known to have anti-pigmentary properties that can help in reducing the effects of skin tan.
You Will Need
- A lemon
- Water
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Extract the juice of a lemon. Dilute it with water.
- Soak a cotton ball in it and apply it to the hands.
- After 15-20 minutes, rinse it off with water.
How Often You Should This
Repeat this two times a week.
Caution: Lemon juice can cause a stinging sensation on your skin. Please do a patch test before trying this remedy. It also increases the sensitivity of your skin to UV light. Hence, make sure you use diluted lemon juice and wash it off thoroughly after the specified duration.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains bioactive compounds that suppress tyrosinase activity. This translates to reduced pigmentation on your skin.
You Will Need
- 2-3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do
- Extract the gel from the aloe vera leaf and mix it with honey.
- Apply this pack on your hands and leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Wash it off with plain water.
How Often You Should This
For best results, apply this paste on your hands two to three times every week.
5. Cucumber
Cucumber not only has moisturizing properties but also contains bioactive compounds that inhibit tyrosinase activity and reverse the effects of sun tan.
You Will Need
- A cucumber
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do
- Slice half a cucumber and blend it in a blender.
- Add a tablespoon of aloe vera gel to this and mix well.
- Apply this mixture on your hands and rinse off.
How Often You Should This
Apply this once a week until the tan disappears.
6. Papaya
Papaya extracts act as exfoliants and can help slough away dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This helps in fading the tan on your hands.
You Will Need
- 1 ripe papaya
- 1 lemon
What You Have To Do
- Blend the papaya into a puree and add a teaspoon of lemon juice to it.
- Mix well and apply it to your hands.
- Rinse off with water after 15-20 minutes.
How Often You Should This
Repeat two times a week.
Caution: Do a patch test before you use this remedy as lemon juice can cause skin irritation.
7. Honey
Honey has excellent moisturizing properties and promotes tissue repair. It not only softens your skin and makes it smooth but also contains antioxidants that reverse the skin damage caused by UV rays.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 lemon
What You Have To Do.
- Extract the juice from a lemon and add honey to it.
- Apply this mixture to your hands.
- Wash it off with water after 10-15 minutes.
How Often You Should This
Apply this paste two times a week.
Caution: Carry out a patch test before you use this remedy as lemon juice can irritate your skin.
8. Orange Peel
Studies show that the peel of an orange contains compounds that can suppress melanogenesis and reverse the effects of sun tan.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of powdered orange peel
- 1 pinch of turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon of honey
What You Have To Do
- Mix the ingredients to make a fine paste.
- Apply on your hands and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse off with water.
How Often You Should This
You can do this two times a week.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin that inhibits melanogenesis. This leads to reduced production of melanin, thereby fading the tan on your hands.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon of milk
What You Have To Do
- Prepare a pack using the ingredients above and apply it to your hands.
- Leave it on until it dries.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with water
How Often You Should This
Do this once every week until the tan disappears.
10. Saffron
Saffron is widely used in traditional medicine to restore the natural complexion. Research shows that it has a moisturizing effect on your skin and also eliminates the damage to your skin caused by UV rays of the sun.
You Will Need
- ¼ cup of fresh milk
- A few strands of saffron
What You Have To Do
- Soak the saffron strands in milk for 2 hours.
- Strain the milk and apply it to the tanned areas.
- Wash it off with plain water after 10-15 minutes.
How Often You Should This
Do this 1-2 times a week.
This was a list of simple home remedies that can help lighten the tan on your hands. Now, let’s see how you can prevent getting tanned.
Tips To Prevent Your Hands From Tanning
- Use sun-protective clothing.
- Use sunscreen before stepping out into the sun.
- Do not forget to reapply sunscreen upon prolonged exposure to sunlight.
- Always wash your hands and apply hand cream before you sleep.
