Suntan is a ubiquitous problem that almost everyone suffers from. It is not just a summer or beach specific problem, as sunrays can cause tanning even in cloudy weather or withindoor exposure.

Suntan is caused mainly by the ultraviolet or UV rays present in sunlight which cannot be seen by naked eyes, though visible light also contributes. These rays cause increased melanin formation and distribution in the skin which makes it appear tanned or darker.

Though tan can be removed, due to the prolonged and cumbersome nature of the process, it is preferable to use sun protection so as to prevent tan in the first place. Sunprotection includes physical barriers like umbrella, clothes, sunglasses and hats; and sunscreens to apply on exposed body parts.

For beach outings, a sunscreen with broad spectrum that covers UVA & UVB lights should be selected with an SPF rating of 30 or above and PA rating of +++ or above.

Sunscreen should be applied 10-20 minutes before going out so as to allow time for the chemicals to activate, and reapplied 3 hourly as the protecting effect declines. It is advisable to carry umbrellas and hats for extra protection as sunscreen cannot prevent sunrays entirely from reaching the skin. Protection should be taken even in cloudy weather, winter or indoor with sun exposure. Bathing and sweating can cause sunscreen to melt away faster, so selecting a non-greasy formula and repet applications are recommended strongly.

If you are suffering from tanning issues or are unable to decide a suitble sunscreen, visit a dermatologist to know your skin type and recommended products. All sunscreens in the market are not equally effective even if advertised.

Traditionally, bleaching skin involved use of hydrogen peroxide to bleach the fine facial hairs which would give an instant glow to the skin. These bleaches do not remove melanin which is the main cause of tanning and thus give only temporary results for few weeks. If not used carefully they could cause irritations/burns on skin which would worsen the darkening.

Nowadays, safer bleaching creams are available, and procedures have also been developed for skin lightening and tan removal. The main options include:

● Natural remedies and herbal products which are available over the counter containing lemon, turmeric, honey etc that have doubtful efficacy and takes a long time to remove tan.
● Bleach procedures on parlors using strong chemicals which can temporarily lighten the skin but may also cause skin damage.
● Medical grade topical products containing lightening agents like glycolic acid, kojic acid, vitamin C etc which are recommended by doctors and gives good results in short time. However, a careful usage and good skincare regimen with sunprotection is essential for satisfactory results without side effects.
● For dark tan and damaged skin, chemical peels can be used to exfoliate the upper injured skin layer so as to brighten the skin from inside. Laser procedures like laser toning and carbon peel can remove deeper tan which are not treatable by any other means.

If you have a bad tan, please visit a dermatologist for appropriate treatment as your skin barrier might be damaged and using OTC products and bleaches can deteriorate your skin further. A combination of the above treatment options can be used judiciously to give you the best reault in a short time.

Suntan is caused by exposure to sunlight without protection. The UVA and UVB rays of sun (partly visible light too) enter the skin and stimulate formation and distribution of excess melanin which makes the skin darker. Continuous sunexposure can worsen tan and even cause sunburns, rarely skin cancers.

If the skin is protected well after accidental exposure, the tan gradually fades over weeks to months even without treatment.

However, removal of tan is a very common problem that a lot of people face. They usually resort to OTC products, natural remedies like lemon juice and visiting parlors for facials. While lemon juice, turmeric etc do have skin lightening properties, they need to be used correctly and for a long time for good results while OTC products often have an inconsistent result on different people.
Facials cannot remove tan in single sessions. Good quality facials can exfoliate the skin and cause temporary shine, but they cannot penetrate to the layer inside and act on melanin. Often the parlors use harsh chemicals that can cause irritation and burns and even worsen the skin quality, specially on an already damaged skin.

The best way to treat tan is to prevent tanning, i.e. using sunprotection by physical means like umbrella, along with use of medical grade sunscreens with a broad spectrum action. In case you have an existing tan, use a good skincare regimen with sunscreen, mild cleanser, moisturiser and visit a dermatologist for treatment. Skin lightening creams, chemical peels and even lasers can be used judiciously for great and fast results in tan removal.

Tan is caused mainly by UVA and UVB rays in sunlight (partially by visible light too). If tan to be prevented entirely, avoidance of sun exposure and use of physical barriers like umbrella and hats are advised.

Sunscreens are products that we can apply on the skin which prevent sunrays from entering the skin. Physical sunscreens block light physically by forming a layer while chemical sunscreens absorb the light and do not let it enter the skin. Nowadays, all good sunscreens have both physical and chemical components.

Protection from UVB is measured by SPF (sun protection factor), and a rating of SPF 30 or above is suffucient for protection from daily exposure. UVA protection is checked by PA rating, and PA+++ is considered to be good protection. If you are looking for an ideal sunscreen, it should have broad spectrum action with both SPF and PA rating, containing physical components like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and chemical components like oxybenzone, avobenzone.

The sunscreen should suit your skin type e.g. non comedogenic sunscreens for acne prone screen and lotion based ones for dry skin. Sunscreens need to be applied every 2-3hourly for best effect.

Visit a dermatologist to know your skin type and what sunscreen would be best for you based on your age, degree of sun exposure and need of protection.

Tanning occurs due to exposure to UVA and UVB rays of sunlight without protection. In fair conplexion it can cause sunburns as well.

After sun exposure, an immediate tanning is noticed due to UVA exposure. This clears away on its own in a few hours after sunexposure ends and occurs due to redistribution of melanin rather than new melanin production. It doesnot need any treatment. Delayed tan occurs after a few hours due to both UVA and B rays by excess melanin production and takes weeks to months to clear depending on its severity. However, neither of the two are permanent if adequate measures are taken.

The first step would be to ensure future sunprotection by use of umbrella, hats etc and a broad spectrum sunscreen with good SPF and PA rating.

For removal of tan quickly, products with lightening property which prevents melanin synthesis can be prescribed. Glycolic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, azelaic acid etc may be prescribed by your doctors for regular use. Apart from this, chemical peels with exfoliating agents like salicylic acid, glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid can remove the damaged upper skin layer and give fast clearance of tanning. For deeper pigment which does not respond to anything else, Q switched Nd:YAG laser is sometimes recommended.

Using OTC products and parlor procedures on sun damaged skin can cause irritation and burns and even worsen the skin darkening.

Visit your dermatologist to know what tan removal procedure would be best for you and how you can maintain your tan free glowing skin.

Suntan is definitely reversible and to understand how you need to know the mechanism behind the issue. When UVA and UVB lights in sunrays enter the skin, they trigger production and distribution of excess melanin pigment which makes the skin darker. So the reversal of suntan would involve preventing this excess melanin formation and removing the deposited melanin.
If strict sunprotection is maintained every time you go out, the skin can recover itself but it takes weeks to months. Such protection would involve sun barriers like umbrellas, covered clothes, hata, avoiding sunlight at peak hours, and use of sunscreens. Sunscreens with both UVA (PA+++ and above) and UVB (SPF30 and above) are needed and it should be reapplied every few hours for optimum protection.

For removing existing tan, doctor may prescribe you skin lightening products containing glycolic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, liquorice extract etc for regular use. These products can remove the melanin from top skin layers and prevent formation of new pigment. Chemical peels are another modality where exfoliating products like high concentration glycolic acid, kojic acid, trichloroacetic acid etc can be used under medical supervision to remove top damaged skin layer and brighten the skin from below. For deep pigments, Q switched Nd:YAG lasers can help break down melanin when other treatments have no effect. Please visit a dermatologist for your concern. He/she can check your skin, decide on a skincare regimen and proper treatment plan which can give you fast and satisfactory results for your tan removal.