At least 50-70% of the trending topics in this sub are about asking how to get rid of tans. So here's some facts that everyone should absorb as deeply into their dermis as possible.

Apology for the graphical image but I think it's important for the point I'm trying to make.

First picture shows a laceration that exposes all the layers of the skin down to the muscle. Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, subcutaneous fat and finally muscle.

Second picture shows a diagram of a cross section of the skin.

Please note in the second picture where melanocytes are located. They are at the very bottom of the epidermis, right at the point where blood vessels connect.

When your skin is exposed to the sun, the UV rays penetrate down to the dermis layer and activate the melanocytes which release melanin. The effect of this melanin is to bind to your epidermal skin cells _and change their colour_ in a process known as tanning. This is _permanent_ change to the skin cells.

Nothing short of peeling your skin down to the dermis is going to get rid of a tan. It is a permanent change as a result or sun exposure.

Skin cells naturally die over time and get replaced. The new cells that replace them will (if they are protected from UV rays will have no tanning). Eventually all the skin that was exposed to the sun will naturally die and be replaced with untanned skin. This will take 3-6 months or even a year or two depending on the amount of tanned skin.

That's it, that's the secret to getting rid of a tan. Some things like a chemical peel, vitamin C, glycolic acid will make this process _slightly_ faster but it will still take weeks and months. Herbal remedies like turmeric, milk, lemon juice are physical scrubs and slightly acidic so they remove a layer of dead cells which might give you a more radiant look but it's the equivalent of washing or blowing dust off a leaf. Afterwards the leaf is going to be shiny and fresh _but it will still be green_. Just like your skin will be shinier and fresh and _still be tanned_ because that is it's colour.

Wear a sunscreen, use an umbrella, avoid sun exposure and your new skin layer won't have a tan.

That's it.

Someone pin this post please!

PSA: Tanning