Let’s make an honest confession here! We are all biassed towards our faces and almost neglect our hands and feet. Ok! Agreed your feet and other body parts are mostly concealed! But, what about your hands? They are all covered up in a layer of dark and ugly tan as if to contrast your glowing face! Embarrassing, isn’t it? But, how to remove tan from hands? Is it too tedious?
Not all at all! Hands are visible parts of your body and especially if your someone who loves to wear short sleeves or go sleeves often, it’s important to start taking the right care of them. Going out in the sun and exposing our hands to the harsh rays can lead to melanin formation, resulting in discoloured hands! Fortunately for us, there are many ways to get rid of tan from hands at home. Read along to find out!
How To Remove Tan From Hands at Home?
Read along to find out how to get rid of tanning on hands using simple home remedies:
1. Turmeric With Flour And Curd:
A mask of turmeric, flour and curd is one of the best methods to remove tan from hands instantly. Turmeric contains curcumin, which can prevent your skin from getting tanned by stopping the synthesis of melanin(1). The citric acid present in curd works as a natural exfoliant and removes tanning on the skin. Gram flour can smoothen skin, remove dead cells and reveal visibly fairer hands.
Ingredients:
- Turmeric – 2 tbsp.
- Gram flour – 2 tbsp.
- Curd – 2-3 tbsp.
Preparation Method:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and add water to form a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste on your hands and leave until dry.
- Slowly remove the pack by rubbing in circular motions.
- Wash off the pack with water.
How Often: Twice a week.
2. Lemon And Sugar:
If you are looking for an effective way to remove tan from hands, try lemon and sugar scrub. This simple method works with the skin lightening properties of Lemon and the scrubbing action of sugar granules. Lemon contains Vitamin C, which reduces the formation of melanin on the skin and lightens your complexion(2). Sugar removes the dead cells and reveals a smoother, fresher pair of hands.
Ingredients:
- Lemon – 3-4 Slices.
- Sugar granules – ½ Cup.
How To Do:
- Cut some lemon slices and dip them in sugar.
- Apply them on your hands and massage gently.
- Leave on the skin for 5-10 minutes.
- Then wash it off with some cold water.
How Often: Twice or thrice a week.
Caution: If you have sunburns or sensitivity on your skin, this treatment may irritate it further.
3. Papaya:
Papaya is another amazing home remedy to remove tan from hands. Applying Papaya mash on the affected hands can not only clear the suntan, but also soften the skin of your hands. Papaya contains an enzyme called Papain that acts as a natural exfoliant, which helps in removing tan and encouraging the formation of new skin cells(3). Adding a dollop of honey can lighten the skin tone on your hands and give them a fairer appearance.
Ingredients:
- Papaya Mash – 4 tbsp.
- Honey – 2 tbsp.
How To Do:
- Add Papaya Mash and Honey to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mask all over clean and dry hands.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Twice or thrice a week.
4. Orange Peel:
One of the best methods to remove suntan from hands is with the help of Orange Peels. They are loaded with antioxidants that scavenge free radicals and reduce cellular damage. Vitamin C present in the peels helps in lightening the pigmentation, along with marks, dark spots and patchy skin. The natural cleansing properties of Orange peel can clarify your skin cells and give them a healthy appearance.
Ingredients:
- Orange Peel Powder – 3-4 tbsp.
- Yoghurt – ½ Cup.
How To Do:
- Mix Yoghurt and Orange Peel Powder to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this mask all over clean and dry hands.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Twice or thrice a week.
5. Milk:
Wondering how to remove tan from hands quickly? Try applying Milk! Raw milk offers numerous benefits to our skin, including tan removal! Milk contains lactic acid which is a natural exfoliant that helps in shedding the upper layer of your skin. A topical application of cold milk can soothe irritated skin and reduce the severity of sunburns.
Ingredients:
- Cold Milk – 1 cup.
How To Do:
- Clean and dry your hands.
- Apply a layer of cold milk all over the affected areas.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Use a mild cleanser to remove the residue.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Twice or thrice a week.
6. Lemon With Gram Flour:
We all know the benefits of lemon for removal tan on hands. To support its properties, many people add gram flour or besan and apply the pack on tanned hands. Besan has a coarse texture that scrubs away the dead and discolored cells from your skin. By doing so, the younger and fresher layer of skin is revealed. Adding some lemon and Yoghurt to this ingredient gives your faster results with their anti-pigmentation properties.
Ingredients:
- lemon juice – 4-5 Tbsp.
- Besan – ½ Cup.
- Yoghurt – ½ Cup.
How To Do:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl to form a smooth paste.
- Apply it all over your hands.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove it by scrubbing away the mask using circular movements.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Three to Four times a week.
7. Potato Peels:
Rubbing potato peels is one of the most effective ways to get rid of tan on hands. The juice which comes out from fresh potato peels has mild bleaching properties to lighten your skin. Also, rubbing the peels directly on the skin can deep clean the area and remove impurities like dirt and dead cells. So, next time you use Potatoes in your cooking, don’t throw away those peels!
Ingredients:
- Potato Peels – 1 Cup.
How To Do:
- Wash and dry our hands.
- Now take potato peels and massage with them on your hands.
- Rub in circular motions for 2-3 minutes.
- Leave it on for 15-20 more minutes.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Three to Four times a week.
8. Tomato Juice:
Tomato juice is one of the most powerful home remedies to reduce sun tan from hands naturally. It contains many antioxidants like Vitamin C which scavenge free radicals and protect our skin from damage. Enzymes like Lycopene present in Tomatoes are known to reduce Melasma caused in summers(4). The exfoliant properties of these enzymes can also remove the dead cells from the skin and renew its appearance.
Ingredients:
- Tomato Pulp – 1 Cup.
How To Do:
- Wash and dry our hands.
- Apply Tomato Pulp all over your hands.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Twice a week.
Caution: The acidic nature of tomatoes may cause rashes or irritation on sensitive skin.
[ See More: How To Remove Tan From Neck Naturally ]
9. Honey And Lemon:
Another easy-to-do method for removing tan on hands is Lemon and Honey. The acidic nature of lemon combined with the mild bleaching properties of honey can fight Melanin cells and lighten the complexion of your skin. Honey, a natural humectant can prevent moisture loss from your skin and keep it soft and supple.
Ingredients:
- Lemon juice – ½ Cup.
- Honey – ½ Cup.
How To Do:
- Mix lemon juice and honey well.
- Apply it all over your hands.
- Leave it to dry for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Twice a week.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Another way to reduce tan from hands at home is to use Apple Cider Vinegar. Also called ACV, this ingredient contains acetic acid, which can reduce pigmentation due to its peeling effects(5). However, ACV is highly acidic and can cause burns when applied directly on the skin. You must always dilute it with water before using it.
Ingredients:
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 Cup.
- Water – 1 Cup.
How To Do:
- Dilute ACV with water.
- Apply it on the affected area.
- Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Once a week.
11. Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera is a great remedy to remove tan from hands overnight. According to a study, Aloe vera contains an agent called Aloin, which can effectively reduce pigmentation by inhibiting the Melanin growth(6). Along with that, Aloe can also offer soothing relief from the symptoms of sunburns. It is recommended to use freshly extracted Aloe vera gel for maximum benefits.
Ingredients:
- Aloe Vera Gel – 1 Cup (freshly prepared).
How To Do:
- Apply Aloe gel on clean, dry hands.
- Leave it overnight.
- Wash off with water next morning.
How Often: Every day or once in two days.
[ Also Read: Home Remedies To Remove Tan From Face ]
12. Lemon Juice And Warm Water:
Lemon and warm water soak are known to remove excess tan from hands instantly. Dipping your tanned hands in a tub of warm lemon water is known to remove dead cells and excess melanin from your skin. The bleaching action of lemon can lighten your skin, while its anti-oxidants can fight free radical damage.
Ingredients:
- Lemon Juice – 1 Cup.
- Warm Water – 1 Tub.
How To Do:
- Add Lemon juice to warm water.
- Dip your hands and ensure they are fully immersed in water.
- Leave it for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
How Often: Twice a week.
13. Cucumbers:
It is known that Cucumbers can prevent Melanogenesis to prevent Melanin from developing on your skin(7). This makes Cucumber one of the best tan removal methods for hands. Moreover, Cucumbers contain more than 80% of water content to hydrate and nourish your skin. They alleviate the harsh symptoms of sunburns with their cooling properties.
Ingredients:
- Cucumber Juice – 1 Cup.
How To Do:
- Apply Cucumber juice on clean, dry hands.
- Leave it on the skin for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
How Often: Everyday.
14. Oatmeal:
Oatmeal is a safe and natural remedy for removing tan from hands. It has a coarse texture that can buff away the dead cells on the skin, without damage it. Oatmeal contains Saponin which deep cleans your skin and gives it a lighter appearance. Massaging oatmeal can improve blood circulation and boost overall skin health.
Ingredients:
- Oatmeal – 1 Cup.
How To Do:
- Cook oatmeal in two cups of water.
- Once it cools down, apply the mixture all over your hands.
- Gently massage it like a scrub.
- Leave it for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
How Often: Twice a week.
Additional Tips to Prevent Suntan from Hands
Along with learning how to remove tan from hands at home, it’s also important to follow these precautions to minimize the effects of tanning:
- Apply a broadspectrum sunscreen all over your hands at least 15 minutes before stepping out.
- Wear full sleeves overcoat or other protective clothing to cover your hands.
- Reapply sunscreen after 3-4 hours depending on the weather conditions.
- Wash your hands with soap once you are back home, followed by a moisturizer.
- Use an exfoliant once a week to scrub away dead cells and keep your skin clear.
Now that you know how to get rid of tan on hands, it’s time to try them at home! These all-natural remedies can help you achieve beautiful hands in just a few applications. So, no more apprehensions about wearing those sleeveless tunics and tops! If you have any more such tan removal methods, do let us know!
