I'm a 21-year-old girl. I have a very bad tan on both my hands. Because of this, I’m unable to wear sleeveless clothes, as I feel it looks very awkward. Can you suggest some home remedies?

The only way to prevent oneself from tanning is to stay out of the sun, or make sure you are sufficiently covered. Use a good quality sunscreen when going out in the sun to protect the skin from tanning as well as the sun's UV rays. All sunburn aids — vinegar, milk, potato juice, cucumber juice are good for removing tan. Apply on the affected area; keep for 10-15 minutes and wash. There may be a drying effect on the skin; so, if you have a dry skin, make sure you use a moisturiser after this treatment. Best home remedy for sun-tanned skin is potato juice. Apply raw potato juice on your tanned skin to get fast relief. If the tan is severe, then try these home remedies; mix sugar with juice of lemon. Add a little glycerin to it. Scrub the affected area gently in circular motion. This not only helps to get rid of tan but also softens skin. Take ten almonds and five tsps of masoor dal and soak them overnight. Grind them to a coarse paste in the morning. Mix into it a pinch of turmeric, a tsp of curd and some rose water. Rub it on your skin and keep on massaging till it dries and comes off on its own, removing the dirt grime and tan along with it. Do not use soap while bathing. Repeat this for ten days. Although there are no particular foods that will lighten your skin instantly, a balanced diet definitely helps by giving your skin a healthy glow. Drink an optimum amount of water. Some recommendations regarding diet are as follows — avoid excessive consumption of heavy and oily foods; incorporate whole cereals, pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet; drink at least 4-5 litres of water every day.

Dr Vandana Jayaprakash
Consultant dermatologist
vandanjp@hotmail.com

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