Will my suntan go away on its own?

@cream97 (29086)
United States
May 12, 2009 7:27am CST
I went walking to the park about two weeks ago. And I was undressed in my room, I noticed a tan around my chest cleavage. I was walking at the park with a top that showed my cleavage. I had no sunscreen on at all. I also had a tan on my arms. My shoulders matched my actual complextion, but not my arms. I have decicded that I will have on sunscreen from now on when I know that I am planning on being in the hot sun. But for that day, I just wanted to exercise. I will make sure that I don't go walking again when it is too hot. Will my suntan go away on its own, if I don't expose my skin to the sun when it is very hot? I am planning on wearing T-shirts from now on, so that most of my chest will not be exposed to the sun's rays. Or do I have to use something to clear up the suntan? Right now, I am just letting it fade on its own. Please tell me the best advice. Thanks!
8 people like this
26 responses
@Margajoe (4747)
• Germany
12 May 09
It will go by itself. Personally I never use sun screen. They have researched much sun screens and seems because of the sun screen you can get problems as well. Your skin has no more protection of its own. This can cause skin problems too. But, I guess if you have a sensible skin, maybe it is necessary to use something.Personally I would only use it if I would become brown faster. haha! Normally I don't. Take care, have a nice day!
@Margajoe (4747)
• Germany
12 May 09
Yes I use day cream. That is also a good sun screen, as if stops the skin from drying out. You can get a tan easy, anywhere. As long as you are in the sun.With little close on. But, you know that now. hahaha! Take care, have a nice evening.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
13 May 09
Yeah, I know that now! There is no doubt about that!
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi, Margajoe! I don't usually use sunscreens myself either. I had an ex-boyfriend told me many of years ago that I had a suntan. I thought that he was just joking with me. But, it came to find out that I did have one, from walking to see him from college. So, I would walk in the hot sun just to see him. So, from that I realized that I could get a tan. I thought that I would never get one not unless I go to the beach, but I can get one even if I am not at the beach. I do use sunscreen on my face as my daily cream. And it helps keep my skin from getting dark. My neck cream works the same way too. I just thought that I did not need any sunscreen.
1 person likes this
@cj5guy (93)
• United States
12 May 09
It will fade on it's own, if it's a sun burn, you want to keep aloe on it (I could help you put it on lol) It will take a feew weeks to fade, as long as you keep the sun exposure to a minimum, you will be fine. Why are you concerned so much about a tan?
2 people like this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi, cj5guy! Silly! I don't want a tan because my skin is already tanned. I just want skin that glows and is even-toned.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
12 May 09
Hey cream! There is nothing that you can do to get rid of the suntan except wait for it to fade! And believe me, it will soon fade! I wouldn't worry about it! If you keep that area of your skin covered and use sunscreen it will keep it from burning again. If it didn't burn badly it will probably fade in no time. I don't know of anything that will erase a sunburn except time!
2 people like this
@suzzy3 (8341)
12 May 09
Use a moisturiser or after sun until it fades a way.Or use a sunscreen and top it up,you are lucky you did not burn ,I did once put sunscreen everywhere on my legs and arms and what i thought showed only to get a thin burn around my bra area,very sore.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
13 May 09
Hi, suzzy3! Yes, I am glad that I did not get a sunburn. I did once many years ago. I went to Myrtle Beach and I got a suntan. I came back home and my skin was peeling. It was stinging like crazy! My skin was hot and burning. I dreaded having one of these ever again..
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
13 May 09
I had a suntan and a sunburn..
1 person likes this
@suzzy3 (8341)
13 May 09
ouch painful.x
1 person likes this
@Colmuc (707)
12 May 09
Suntan fades away on its own, especially if it was just a one day exposure. Sunscreen will not stop you tanning but will avoid burning. Why do you find suntan unattractive. Most people want a tan and love to show it off.
2 people like this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi, Colmuc! I don't want a tan because I don't need one. My skin is already light brown that, glows. If, I have my light skin complexion mixed with a darker complexion, it may look, off. It will look like I have colored coded skin. And to me, when wearing shirts that show off my skin, it will look odd. That is just how I feel about it. I am tan enough and getting a tan would make me look darker than my normal complexion. I want to have even-toned skin.
@angelsmummy (1696)
12 May 09
it will fade by itself, i always get sunburnt no matter how much cun cream i out up and how hot it is, i am very light skinned and a redhead so that explains it lol. It does go and if you get anymore it will just stay the same wont get worse
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
12 May 09
It will fade on its own. I would wear at least # 40 if you don't want to tan. My close friend use #100 (what she claims she buy in Paris)to stay pure white and wrinkle free..
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
13 May 09
yes, SPF 40...
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
When you say # 40 what do you exactly mean by that? I am assuming that is may have something to do with sunscreen lotion?
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
12 May 09
Wow, you're trying to get rid of what I spend all summer trying to get LOL I can tell you that it will fade in time. I don't know anything that will make it go away faster. Why do you not want a tan?
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
13 May 09
Because having a suntan makes my complexion look browner and my skin tone is off balance.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
12 May 09
Why do you want your suntan to go away? I do everything I can to keep my suntan for as long as I possibly can. Unfortunately, yes, suntan does fade away on its own. I go to the beach for a weeks vacation, get a great tan and then it fades~ no fair!
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
13 May 09
So you are one of those lucky ones who has great looking skin! I dont think you have to use 100spf. I use 30 on my kids and they never get suntan or sunburn.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
13 May 09
Hi, sunshine4, My skin complexion is already tanned enough. And the tan does not match my actual skin complexion. The tan looks darker. I would rather stick to my actual complexion.
@arkansos (545)
• India
12 May 09
You do realize you were innocently talking hot. Anyways, suntan is not permanent nor is it quick. So unless you used tanning cream, it is unlikely that you got it from a day in the park. It will, go away, nevertheless but may take 2-3 weeks or more
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi, arkansos! Yes, it was very hot when I was walking the park on that day. It had to be in the late 80s as the temperature. I was not thinking smartly that day for me to walk out in the hot sun! I did not use anyy tanning cream, so that means I was not expecting a suntan. Yes, I believe that it will take this much time to go away as well. It looks like it is trying to fade and lighten up right now.
@pree70 (525)
• India
12 May 09
if you keep that area covered for a few days, you will find that the sun tan goes on its own. but you may speed it up by applying some whitening lotion/cream too. you may try applying some cucumber/tomato juice (fresh) to the tan to remove it naturally.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi, pre70! Thanks for this information! I have used fade cream a couple of times on my suntans. And, I have also let it fade on its own without being in the sun for so long. And, I have kept it covered by wearing a T-shirt that is cool and thin. So, yes, I have tried all of these measures. Thanks alot! So, far, it seems to be fading day by day...
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
13 May 09
Tans just fades away and you are not exposed that long, like days Don't worry your complexion will eventually even out hehehe i had one of those moments.. i do wear whitening lotion usually its nivea, it works for me though..
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
13 May 09
Hi, jazel_juan! Thanks for the enlightement! Nivea is a great lotion to use. It smells really great!
@HelloMickey (1655)
• Hong Kong
12 May 09
hello cream97 peeling or exfoilating could help a bit. But keep it gentle, don't do it too frequently. Use some facial scrub to exfoilate your tanned skin would make your skin renew faster, in fact, you can only massage the area more often, the tone of your skin will return to normal more fast than you let it go away on its own.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi, HelloMickey! I will just do the procedure that I have been doing since I first started off. I think that this will help me more.. Thanks for your advice!
@cobra1368 (702)
• United States
12 May 09
It always fades on its own. I recommend you do nothing. If you want to not get any sun exposure at all, either you can wear long sleeves and pants (not recommended in the summertime!), or get a sunblock that has titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in it. Sunblock is different from sunscreen in that sunblock is intended to provide complete blockage of the sun, while sunscreen just filters it a bit.
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
13 May 09
Hi, cobra2368! Sunblock sounds like just what I need! Thanks for this information!
@youless (112582)
• Guangzhou, China
12 May 09
The suntan will go away automatically after the winter. As you have to wear more in winter and therefore your skin will be white step by step. I love China
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi, youless! Yes, I figured that many skin complexions will go back to its original color when the winter hits. But, I am hoping that mines will fade back to its original color before the weather changes to the cold season.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
12 May 09
Sunscreen for clothes - It works like a charm! And you don't even feel it! It's very easy to use too!
Yes it will as long as your skin is protected with a high number of sunscreen such as spf 45 or higher. Also there is sunscreen for your clothes as well, it's called Rit Guard sunscreen for clothes. I use it all the time and it works GREAT! I have to because I'm allergic to the sun due to a disease that I have which is called Lupus. What you do is you put it in your washing machine with your clothes and wash and dry as you normally do. You don't feel the sunscreen in your clothes at all so you can wear anything you want where ever you want as long the exposed skin is covered with liquid sunscreen and you'll be just fine!
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
12 May 09
Hi, CatsandDogs! Thank you for this advice and information. I am glad to know about this discovery. I have a cousin that has Lupus as well. I hope that you will be okay. Take care of yourself!
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
14 May 09
Oh, yea, your suntan will go away by itself in no time. Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
1 person likes this
@jheLaichie (4438)
• Philippines
18 May 09
well i guess that would be the appropriate thing to do. just let the sun tan fade on its own. if your original skin color is really lighter then it would definitely go back to its proper shade and color. but others put some whitening lotion on it as to help improve their skin color to a lighter one. and if ever you happen to enjoy a days with on a hot summer sun, then its better to put a sun block, as not to let your skin burnt that much.
• Spain
3 Jul 10
Have you tried using domestos, neat on the skin? it's amazing. I hear Michael Jackson used it!
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jul 10
I'm not that knowledgeable about this sort of thing, in fact I just did a bit of research to find out what spf I should use and how often I should re-apply. One thing I saw on one site is that there is sunscreen and sunblock, which will only prevent burning and not tanning. From what I just read here www.skincaretalk.com/skinlightening/33-will-spf80-prevent-tanning.html the only lotions that will stop tanning are those that remain white on the top of the skin and don't dry clear. So, unless you want to look like a giant marshmellow, I guess you'll either need to wear clothing to cover your arms, legs, clevage, etc. or stay out of the sun for the peak tanning hours. Also, in case you aren't aware and are a swimmer, being in the water makes it easier/quicker for you to tan/burn due to the water acting like a magnifying glass to for the sun.
1 person likes this