How to get rid of old stubborn tan?

Author: Zetta Ziemann Jr.  |  Last update: Friday, August 29, 2025

Combining baking soda with just enough water to make a paste is a very effective way to remove excess tan buildup or streaking from the skin. Gently scrub in a circular motion to reduce the streaking appearance without irritating the skin.

How to get rid of a tan that has been there for years?

Use a skin lightening ingredient on the tanned parts, it will basically reduce the melanin in your skin. These include tyrosinase inhibitors like kojic acid, azelaic acid, hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, alpha arbutin, etc. Make sure you also use sunscreen to prevent further hyperpigmentation.

How do you get a tan off that won't come off?

Oils are great to break down the tan. Run a hot bath with some body or bath oil in it and soak in for as long as possible. If you're a shower person, apply oil all over your body, let it sink into your skin completely and take a hot steamy shower to wash it off.

Why do I still have a tan from years ago?

Your tan probably isn't permanent because the sun just causes your melanocytes to overproduce melanin temporarily. Your new skin cells (which you can't see) are your regular skintone and aren't tanned, however, when UVA light hits it, it gets tanned.

How do you get rid of old fake tan?

How To Remove Fake Tan Safely
  • Take a Bath Soak in a hot bath for as long as possible in order to loosen the tan.
  • Go for a Swim Swimming in chlorinated water will also break down any remaining fake tan.
  • Visit a Steam Room Steam is also great for breaking down tan.
  • Use a Body Scrub
  • Cover yourself in Baby Oil

Natural Remedies to Remove Sun Tan | Get Rid of Sun Tan & Keep Skin Glowing | Dr. Hansaji

How do you fix old fake tan?

How to fix patchy fake tan
  1. Gently buff away excess tan. Excess product often settles onto dry areas, like the elbows, knees, ankles, hands, and feet, causing an uneven, patchy tan. ...
  2. Exfoliate the skin. ...
  3. Fill in the gaps. ...
  4. Always use a tanning mitt. ...
  5. Opt for a gradual tan moisturiser.

What removes bad fake tan?

It may be difficult to instantly remove all of your fake tan, especially if you have applied it recently. However, you can try applying a hydrating body oil or baby oil onto the tanned areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a damp cloth or exfoliating mitt to gently wipe away the tan.

How to remove a 5 year old tan?

10 Ways of Sun Tan Removal
  1. Lemon juice and honey. Lemon juice has a whitening effect, which helps in rapid body tan removal. ...
  2. Yoghurt and tomatoes. ...
  3. Cucumber extract. ...
  4. Bengal gramme flour and turmeric. ...
  5. Potato juice. ...
  6. Honey and papaya. ...
  7. Masoor dal (red lentil), tomato, and aloe vera: ...
  8. Oatmeal and buttermilk:

Can years of tanning be reversed?

You won't ever be able to fully erase the past, but there are a few treatments that can undo at least some previous DNA damage, like lasers and special topical creams. In other words, if you've accrued a lot of sun damage over the years, no, you're not necessarily screwed.

Is it normal for a tan to last years?

A tan can last anywhere from 7–30 days, though a natural tan will usually fade after a couple of weeks. Your fade time will depend on how long you were exposed to UV radiation, the UV index, your skin type, and other factors we'll explore below.

How do you get rid of stubborn tan fast?

You can also use DIY methods such as applying a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to tough areas. If you're in need of a faster solution, using a spray tan remover can also help lift the color more efficiently.

Why has my tan become permanent?

Frequent sunburns or hours spent tanning can result in a permanent darkening of the skin, dark spots, and a leathery texture.

Does coconut oil remove fake tan?

Coconut Oil? Apply a mixture of coconut oil and sugar to the mishap areas and exfoliate until the blotchy dark area is erased. This method is much safer for your skin than the lemon trick when it comes to getting rid of self tanner, and you don't have to worry about steering clear of the sun for a while.

How do you get rid of old tan fast?

The quickest steps are the basic (olive, coconut or baby) oil, soak in the tub, then use an exfoliating body mitt and body scrub or the specialist products designed to remove fake tan efficiently.

Which soap removes tan?

When looking for the best soap for tan removal, you should opt for a formulation <br />of skin-brightening agents such as Vitamin C, Turmeric, Saffron, Coffee, etc. It is best to choose a toxin-free soap with the above properties. For example, you may try Mamaearth Ubtan Soap.

How do you treat old tan?

Face, Hands, Arms, and Feet
  1. Tomato juice: Apply to tanned areas, leave for 15 minutes, and wash off. ...
  2. Curd and honey: Mix and apply daily to remove tan effectively.
  3. Lemon juice and sugar scrub: Exfoliate your skin while reducing tan.
  4. Raw potato juice: Use directly on tanned areas for quick results.

Why is my tan not going away?

Why won't my tan go away? When the cells become damaged with pigment, discoloration that doesn't fade occurs, leading to a tan that doesn't fade. In fact, it tends to stay dark unless you choose to have this hyperpigmentation treated professionally.

How do I get my original skin color back after tanning?

After prolonged sun exposure, some may wish to remove a tan and allow their skin to recover and regenerate, reducing the risk of further damage.
  1. Exfoliation. ...
  2. Lemon juice. ...
  3. Yogurt. ...
  4. Aloe vera. ...
  5. Potato and cucumber. ...
  6. Chemical peel. ...
  7. Cryotherapy. ...
  8. Skin types and tanning.

How do you reverse a permanent tan?

Common methods for sun tan removal include topical treatments like skin lightening creams, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser therapy, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.

How do you get rid of a 10 year tan?

Professional chemical peels, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid peels, can help remove tan and hyperpigmentation from the hands and face. These treatments exfoliate the skin and stimulate cell turnover, resulting in a brighter, more even complexion.

How do you fade a bad tan?

Exfoliation is the best way to remove tan at home. It removes pigmented dead skin cells and promotes new ones, reducing the appearance of the tan.

Can years of sun tan be removed?

Regular cleansing and exfoliation are some of the easiest remedies for sun tan removal. Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells and impurities from the epidermis which helps fade off tan from your skin. Exfoliate your skin once a week with a mild exfoliator, scrub, or peel.

Does Dawn dish soap remove fake tan?

Use Dish Soap

Dish soap can not only cut through grime and grease but can also get rid of your spray tan.

What is the best tan remover?

VOTED THE BEST SELF-TAN ERASER BY THE INDEPENDENT!

Our Miracle Tan Eraser is formulated to remove old self-tan and target troublesome areas in a flash; apply this jelly-like hydrating scrub to your old self tan and let it work its magic!

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