Fastest Way to get Rid of a Tan + Sunscreen is hazardous?
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Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:33 pm

I have a tan a really deep tan. Even been mistaken for an Aboriginal and person from South East Asia. I am Asian but I have a dakrer skin tone than the rest of my family. Factors are I tan easily and it stays I had swimming practice for 3-5 years at times when the sun was emitting the strongest UV rays I wore sunscreen but I still got tan. Also I never wanted a tan I just got one from spending time in the sun.
Is sunscreen hazardous with all those chemicals and carcinogens(causes cancer)? The reason being I read many articles that made me stop applying sunscreen everyday.

The Last 5 Months
As for a 2 weeks I put sunscreen first thing when I woke up and reapplied throughout the day.
I drink 1.5 Litres a day, twice a day drink BioMedica Nutraceuticals C-Max(Vitamin C + antioxidant formula with mineral ascorbates just started again 2 days ago)
Exfoilate my skin once a week with Baking Soda or exfoilation rock. I try avoiding the sun at the peak hours and stay inside all day and going out only early morning and after sunset. Even after two years my body is still tan and I cover up with atleast t-shirt(with sleeves 3/4 down near elbow) and short 1.5 cm above my knee.

It's been 2 years staying indoors while the last 5 months of really trying to avoid the sun and still I have pretty much stayed the same tan.

I would like natural methods as chemicals and whitening creams can damage skin and can be hazardous.

Thanks

free skin care · Mon Jan 09, 2012 4:26 pm

Which sunscreen do you use? Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (non-nano) are usually thought to be the best, about at least 5% each, and going up to about 20% ZO.

I use CeraVe AM SPF 30 at the moment, for winter when the UV index peaks at 2, and for higher UVI days, I like Elta MD Clear SPF 46 and Burnout Eco-sensitive SPF 32 (great for heat!). For serious sun, I top with Jane Iredale Purepressed base SPF 20. I'm also looking forward to trying Devita, which is highly recommended on this forum.

My other sun-protective habits are wide-brimmed hats or parasols, taking a Sunpill every day (two or three on heavy sun days), and monitoring exact exposure using some sort of UVI measurement (watch or wristband options are nice).

Between those and Retin A for a year, my freckles have almost entirely faded (I'd guess 90-95% gone), and my underlying skin tone has lightened one shade, from very fair to ivory.

You can also wash your t-shirts with a UV-protecting soap, called Rit Sunguard.

Another factor is your age: the younger you are, the more likely to recover your original skin tone.

free skin care · Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:24 pm

Chemical sunscreens are the ones that increase production of free radicals. Physical blockers are good. Always choose a product containing zinc oxide, as it protects against both UVA and UVB, unlike titanium dioxide.

Are you sure you're not just naturally darker? I don't think tans last for years.

Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:23 am

rockhugger wrote:

Which sunscreen do you use? Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (non-nano) are usually thought to be the best, about at least 5% each, and going up to about 20% ZO.

I use CeraVe AM SPF 30 at the moment, for winter when the UV index peaks at 2, and for higher UVI days, I like Elta MD Clear SPF 46 and Burnout Eco-sensitive SPF 32 (great for heat!). For serious sun, I top with Jane Iredale Purepressed base SPF 20. I'm also looking forward to trying Devita, which is highly recommended on this forum.

My other sun-protective habits are wide-brimmed hats or parasols, taking a Sunpill every day (two or three on heavy sun days), and monitoring exact exposure using some sort of UVI measurement (watch or wristband options are nice).

Between those and Retin A for a year, my freckles have almost entirely faded (I'd guess 90-95% gone), and my underlying skin tone has lightened one shade, from very fair to ivory.

You can also wash your t-shirts with a UV-protecting soap, called Rit Sunguard.

Another factor is your age: the younger you are, the more likely to recover your original skin tone.

Thank you for the detailed information and solutions. I use Coles sunscreen lotion as my main sunscreen and the only one with zinc oxide 7.5w/w is Sun Zapper Clear Zinc Suncreen SPF 30+. The others include Tripleguard Hydrating Face SPF 30+, Biore Nourish Moisture Lotion oil-free SPF 15 and Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 30 PA+++. I prefer not to use sunscreen on my face because it looks very oily and stings if it gets inside my eyes even the oil-free moisture lotion (like on a hot day even indoor use normal temperature) since you are knowledgeable about sun protection which is a good sun safe hat? I have straw hats that are sort of closely weaven but I still can see the sunlight shining through it when held up. I'm at the age where people love tans their youthful days.

Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:32 am

onmyboat wrote:

Chemical sunscreens are the ones that increase production of free radicals. Physical blockers are good. Always choose a product containing zinc oxide, as it protects against both UVA and UVB, unlike titanium dioxide.

Are you sure you're not just naturally darker? I don't think tans last for years.

Thank you for the additional advice, I am sure that I have a tan because I can see a skin tone diiference where my shorts end and area which are about 24/7 covered are even lighter.

free skin care · Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:21 am

onmyboat wrote:

I don't think tans last for years.

It sure can last for years. I have a "permatan" on my chest in the form of a V (from not wearing sunscreen on that area and always wearing a V-neck shirt). Lactic acid can help, as well as Retin A, but the most important thing is to wear sunscreen daily. Eventually it will fade, but it takes an extremely long time.

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