Tan Removal Treatment: Cost, Procedure, Results & Prevention Tips

Tanning is a highly common skin concern worldwide. While it is not dangerous or fatal, prolonged sun exposure without enough protection can lead to skin damage. There are several tan removal treatments, which can improve your skin health while reducing tan.

Read this article until the end to understand the causes and various skin tanning treatments available, and ensure that skin condition does not worsen.

What Is Tanning?

Tanning is when your skin darkens due to exposure to the harmful ultraviolet (UV) sun rays, which can damage the cells in our body. To protect us from this damage, the melanocytes in our skin produce melanin. This also darkens our skin, which is tanning.

Must Read: Which Treatment Is Best For Lightening Skin?

What Causes Sun Tan?

Sun rays include UV rays, and over and extended exposure can harm the skin cells by disrupting our cell functioning. The melanin in our skin can absorb some of this UV light and protect the cells. But, when it goes beyond to protect the skin, the body produces even more melanin. This increased melanin darkens our skin and is known as tanning. Dark-skinned people produce more melanin, and thus tan more than light-skinned people.

The UV rays are of three different wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC.

1. UVA rays are the most dangerous type of UV light as they can penetrate the deeper skin layers, damage cells and stimulate melanocytes directly to increase tanning.
2. UVB rays are limited to the upper skin layers as they cannot penetrate the skin and thus don’t affect melanocytes directly. However, they can cause skin burn and redness due to DNA damage of superficial cells, which triggers the body to increase melanin production, further tanning the skin.
3. UVC rays are present in much smaller amounts, but they can also directly affect melanocytes and cause tanning.

Why Should You Treat Your Tanned Skin?

Sunlight exposure and tanning can also cause several serious health risks:

• Sunburns:

This is a painful effect of tan. The UV rays can irritate and damage the skin cells in the upper layer, causing increased blood flow, making the area red and tender. The damaged cells may slough off after a few days, where it appears as if your skin is peeling off. After this, the skin heals and becomes normal.

• Skin Cancer:

UV rays can also alter the DNA of skin cells, which can increase the risk of skin cancer. There are two types of skin cancer – melanoma, produced from melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) and non-melanoma i.e. basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are produced from keratinocytes (normal skin cells). Sun-exposed body parts are more prone to non-melanoma cancers. Increased sun exposure also increases the risk of cancer.

• Premature Ageing Signs:

Also called photo-ageing, this is a long-term effect of sun tan, caused by years of unprotected sun exposure. UV rays can gradually break down collagen and elastin fibres, darken and thicken the skin, leading to wrinkles, dark spots and thick leathery skin. Photo-ageing can make you look older than your actual age.

• Actinic Or Solar Keratoses:

These are raised, scaly, dark bumps on the sun-exposed areas due to extended sun exposure. They are dangerous because they are pre-malignant lesions that can, over time, develop into skin cancers.

• Weak Immunity:

Excessive sun exposure can weaken anyone’s immunity. This can lead to reactivation of infections like herpes, lower efficacy of vaccinations and even increase chances of cancer.

• Eye Diseases:

Too much sun exposure can lead to photokeratitis or sunburn of the cornea. It may present with pain, burning, watering eyes and difficulty seeing. Over time, sun exposure can also lead to cataracts, which is clouding of the eye lens. This also causes difficulty of vision and may need surgery.

It is important to treat your tanned skin to avoid these side effects.

How To Remove Sun Tan From Face And Body?

It is a popular belief that sun tanning is irreversible, but that is not true. Sun tan removal is possible. There are several products, treatments, and solutions to reduce the pigmentation from sun tan. Any method to treat tan involves exfoliation of the top skin layer that removes excess melanin, provides a uniform skin tone and reduces premature ageing signs.

Listed below are some of the best treatments to remove tan from your face, neck, hands, feet and arms.

Sun Tan Removal Treatments By Dermatologists

1. Laser Toning:

Laser tan removal treatment is an excellent procedure for tan removal and skin rejuvenation. Experts use Q-switched Nd:YAG laser that systematically breaks down excess melanin, exfoliates and stimulates collagen renewal, leaving the skin bright and smooth. This treatment can remove tan, age spots, fine lines, and marks and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne. This treatment has no downtime, as the only visible signs after the procedure are temporary redness and swelling, that resolve in a few hours.

Dermatologists usually recommend 6-8 sessions for long-lasting results. The cost of laser tan removal in India ranges from Rs 5000-10000 per session depending on the concern, skin type, the required number of sessions, clinic reputation and the technology used.

Watch this video to learn more about the laser toning treatment procedure:

2. Chemical Peels:

This is another effective de tan treatment that involves the use of plant extracts to exfoliate the top layers in a controlled manner. Under the supervision of dermatologists, trained skin therapists clean the tanned area and then apply solutions containing different concentrations of glycolic acid, phenol, trichloroacetic acid. They customise the ingredients and the strength of the peels based on the severity of the tan. The peels penetrate the skin and exfoliate the damaged, tanned layer of the skin.

Some people may experience stinging and mild-burning sensation after the procedure and may require 5-7 days downtime. Skin may appear dry during this time, but new, brighter, healthier skin regenerates after.

You will need multiple sessions every few weeks for a few months for significant, long-lasting results.

Watch this video to learn more about the chemical peel treatment procedure:

3. Microdermabrasion:

This is also an exfoliating treatment, effective in removing tan and dead skin cells. It involves rubbing of a suction device against the skin. There are different ways of doing this treatment. Dermatologists use a diamond-tip handpiece to gently exfoliate the top layer. They may also use crystal microdermabrasion, where they gently spray fine crystals to remove the outer layers of the skin.

It is a painless procedure that takes about an hour and may leave your skin mildly red and irritated. You will need multiple sessions for the best results.

4. Photo-facial/IPL:

This involves using intense pulsed light to decrease the melanin from the skin. This usually needs more sessions than laser toning. There is no downtime.

To know more about tan removal treatment procedure watch this video:

Alternative Methods To Get Rid Of  Sun Tan

Here are some alternative sun tan removal solutions:

• Tan Removal Creams: There are various sun tan removal creams and bleaches available in the market. Unfortunately, they only serve as a short-term solution. Tanning goes beyond the top layers of skin and these creams only work on the surface. Dermatologists usually recommend these in combination with other solutions.
• Face Pack, Wax and Face Wash: There are various cleansers and face packs that promise to remove tan. However, just like the creams, the results are short-lived as they too address only the top layers of the skin. These are superficial treatments and do not treat the root cause.

How To Remove Tan Naturally?

There are a few home remedies which can help reduce tan due to the active ingredients in them:

• Honey:

Honey has exfoliating properties and can be used in homemade face packs to brighten the skin. However, it should not be used daily.

• Lime Juice:

Lime juice is a very popular ingredient in homemade packs for lightening due to its Vitamin C content, which has lightening and antioxidant properties. But don’t apply it directly as it can irritate and damage your skin. Mix it with other ingredients like honey or dilute it with water.

• Aloe Vera:

This is well known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It is also known to help reduce excessive melanin production, therefore reducing sunburns and tanning.

• Turmeric:

Traditionally used in India since long for its skin-lightening properties, turmeric also works to reduce and prevent tan, and infections, while improving hydration. As it can stain the skin, people usually mix it with other products and use it.

• Coconut Milk:

Coconut milk contains vitamin C and other exfoliating acids, which can help remove tan.

• Besan:

Face packs with besan flour can help with exfoliation and also as brightening agent, removing tan.

While these are some common home-based tan removal ingredients, note that they may not be fully effective and also may not work for everyone the same way. Some people experience irritation, allergies and other side effects, worsening the skin.

It is best to consult a dermatologist for your sun tan.

Must Read: How To Get A Fair And Glowing Skin?

Tan Removal Treatment Cost In India

The cost of advanced suntan removal treatment in India starts from INR 4,000 to INR 10,000. It varies based on the size of the target area, severity of tan, the clinic’s location and reputation, the doctor’s experience, treatment options and the technology used.

Reputed parlours use different face packs to offer de tanning treatments that cost between INR 1,000 and INR 2,500 for the face and Rs 700 to Rs 1,500 for the underarms and legs.

Depending on its composition and brand, any OTC tan removal cream or lotion falls between INR 100 and INR 2,000.

Here’s a cost comparison table for tan removal treatments in India. It includes the cost per session and the estimated total treatment cost, helping you to make an informed decision:

Treatment	Cost Per Session (INR)	Total Treatment Cost (INR)
Laser Toning	5,000 – 15,000	20,000 – 90,000
Chemical Peel	2,000 – 8,000	8,000 – 48,000
Microdermabrasion	2,000 – 5,000	8,000 – 30,000
Photo-facial/IPL	4,000 – 10,000	16,000 – 60,000