Everybody experiences tan lines from time to time although it is more common amongst athletes. Tan lines can be described as a visibly distinct pigmentation of the human skin usually caused by long exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Key Takeaways
- Tan lines are caused by exposure of the body to UV radiations from the sun or other sources
- Tan lines lead to multiple pigmentations of the body with the exposed area appearing darker than the covered areas.
- Natural remedies made from kitchen ingredients can be used to repair tan line
- Using sunscreen is one of the best ways of preventing tan lines from ever appearing in the first place
- Tan lines can heal on their own if the skin is not exposed to UV light for some time.
UV radiation that causes tan lines can either come from an artificial source or the sun. Tan lines are embarrassing and can make you look funny when wearing revealing clothes.
Tan lines usually appear on your skin after participating in outdoor activities under the sun, over an extended period. Soccer players often have them because they spend a lot of time under the sun—and it is worse during hotter summer days.
The official outfit soccer players use on the pitch facilitates the appearance of tan lines because they don’t cover the arms, legs, and neck. These parts of your body are left exposed to the harsh rays of the sun while playing soccer.
Soccer players will usually opt for long sleeves and gloves during the winter to stay warm. Some of the most common parts of the body where soccer players experience tan lines include their lower thighs down to the knee, the feet, and their forearms.
If you read this article to the end, you will learn practical steps on how to fix soccer tan lines and also how to prevent them from occurring. Most of the remedies we will be showing you have been proven to be effective and are easy to practice.
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How to fix soccer tan lines?
Tanning is quite a common practice in many western countries. People often go to beaches not to swim or watch the ocean but to soak in the sun’s rays.
Some even expose their skin to artificial UV rays in an attempt to make their skin darker. For such categories of people, there is nothing wrong with having tanned skin.
The issue with tanning emanates when people are left with tan lines due to the nature of their jobs. However, when you intentionally tan, you can control how you want it to look unlike what happens when you get tan lines due to your job.
Players of all forms of outdoor soccer will likely experience tan lines. However, indoor soccer players will likely not experience this—except those that train outdoors.
Michele Green, a popular cosmetic dermatologist, once said that skin tanning, whether planned or accidental, isn’t a healthy skin practice. Dr. Green illuminated that tan lines are clear indications of skin damage from UV rays.
She further explains that although tan lines usually look painless and harmless, further skin damage can lead to skin cancer, pigmentation, and early aging.
Don’t panic yet if you have got tan lines, we are here to unburden this problem from you. Remember not to join the bandwagon of those who usually use destructive methods like bleaching to correct this damage.
Below, we will highlight some of the most effective, safest, and easiest ways of managing annoying tan lines that might appear on your skin after playing soccer.
Using homemade remedies to fix tan lines quickly
It might sound too good to be true, but there are many home remedies you can concoct and use in fixing your tan lines. Everyday kitchen ingredients such as honey, lemon, turmeric, etc. can all be used in maintaining and fixing your skin.
These remedies aren’t new. They have only been sidelined by modern medicine. We have listed a few of them that can help you safely manage your tan lines.
Oatmeal and curd paste
Oats have always been used over the years for exfoliating dead skin cells. Curd on the other hand is a great remedy for maintaining healthy skin. Below is a short guide on how to prepare and apply this remedy.
- Blend some quantity of curd, lemon juice, and oatmeal
- Smear the blend evenly on your hands, feet, and legs
- Allow the smear to stand for about 10-15 minutes and scrub
- Wash the affected areas with either cold or lukewarm water and clean with a dry towel
- Put moisturizer on your skin after this and repeat the process at least once every week
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Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Milk cream, orange, and sandalwood mixture
Oranges are naturally packed with vitamin C which is good for brightening and detoxifying the skin. Sandalwood, on the other hand, helps in cooling down the skin and soothing the sunburn. Finally, milk cream moisturizes the skin.
- First of all, cut the orange and sandalwood into smaller parts that can be blended
- Blend them with a half cup of milk cream and apply to the tanned area
- Allow it to remain on that area for about 30-35 minutes and then wash it off
- For optimal results, repeat the process twice every week
Lemon juice and potato paste
Lemon is usually used in removing tans and blemishes from the skin while potatoes have bleaching properties when used on the skin.
- Wash and chop the potatoes into tiny portions
- Blend the chopped potatoes with a small quantity of lemon juice
- Apply the mixture to your feet, hands, and legs and allow to sit for about 15-20 minutes
- Wash it off with cold water
- Dry the area and apply moisturizer
- For the best results, repeat the process 2 or 3 times a week
Sugar and lemon juice solution
- Sugar and lemon are proven to be very effective when trying to remove stubborn tan lines from the skin. Some often use a mixture of the two as a natural alternative to sunscreen.
- Dissolve two spoons of granulated sugar into a cup of lemon juice
- Use the solution to gently scrub the affected area for about 10-15 minutes
- Wash the area with cold water and allow it to dry before applying moisturizer
Gram flour, lemon juice, and curd paste
When properly used, this paste helps in brightening the color of the skin.
- Blend the three ingredients
- Apply the mixture to the affected parts of your body
- Allow it to stay for about 30-35 minutes
- Wash with either cold or lukewarm water
- Try doing it twice a week for optimal result
Use body creams containing vitamin C
There are many cosmetic products on the market which contain niacinamide and vitamin C. These minerals are known to be effective in lightening hyperpigmentation and smoothing the skin.
They can be found in a lot of even-tone products aimed at reducing hyperpigmentation without necessarily bleaching the skin. You may need to use these products for over a few weeks before the effect will start becoming visible.
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Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Use of Aloe Vera plant
Aloe vera plants are medicinal with properties that brighten the skin’s complexion. Many tan removal beauty products are made with Aloe Vera extracts.
If you are allergic to some of the chemicals used in commercially available creams, using the aloe vera plant is a great alternative.
Interestingly, the aloe vera plant can easily be found in markets around the globe. To use it to fight soccer tan lines, there are a few things you need to do.
- Dissect the aloe vera leaf and carefully extract the slimy gel from it
- Apply the extracted gel to the affected area before going to bed and wash it with a mild beauty soap while bathing the next morning
- Repeat this procedure daily until the tan line disappears
Wait for it to fade naturally
Some young soccer players usually panic when they first see tan lines on their skin. This fear drives them into seeking immediate solutions without even realizing that tan lines fade naturally after a while.
While waiting for your tan lines to naturally fade off, avoid direct contact with the sun’s rays as much as you possibly can. In about 7 to 10 days, your tan will fade off because new skin cells continuously replace older ones.
If you notice tan lines on your skin towards the end of a soccer season, doing nothing may be a great idea. The long absence from prolonged outdoor exposure will help your skin to heal.
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Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Self-tan is more of a concealer than a remedy. The main purpose of self-tanning is to hide the tan line and give your skin a uniform color.
If your tan line is becoming a huge source of worry such that it makes it harder for you to focus on your game, self-tanning is a fast and effective way of restoring your confidence.
First of all, exfoliate the affected area in the shower. Dry your skin and apply your favorite moisturizer to the tanned areas and then go ahead and apply the self-tanner.
You can apply the self-tanning gel or cream by dipping a makeup sponge into it and rubbing it against the paler parts of your skin until the color evenly blends.
There are also self-tan solutions that you can simply spray over the pale-looking areas of your skin. Repeat this process daily until the tan lines fade away.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is a way of removing dead skin cells from the body so that a new layer of skin can flourish. You can use a scrub or apply chemical exfoliants containing lactic acid or glycolic acid.
Don’t exfoliate daily with chemical exfoliants because they can irritate your skin and make it sensitive and dry. Aside from fixing soccer tan lines, exfoliation can also fix acne scars and open your pores.
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Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Use sunscreen
Due to the requirements of soccer, players need to apply sunscreen during matches and training, especially on hot days. A generous layer of sunscreen over the skin will reflect the UV rays from the sun so that it doesn’t get to the skin and cause damage to the cells.
Players already suffering from soccer tan lines can also use sunscreen while waiting for the tan to fade. In general, sunscreen is a protective technique that can be used to prevent tan lines or to stop the exacerbation of the situation.
Every soccer player is strongly advised to use sunscreen before filing out to play outdoor soccer on a hot summer afternoon.
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Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Tan lines can be a nightmare for soccer players because most of them need blemish-free skin to land brand endorsements. Therefore, there is always anxiety about getting rid of tan lines.
You can avoid tan lines by protecting your skin from any form of UV rays. As a soccer player, you should endeavor to use sunscreen and practice other healthy skin care routines we highlighted.
Most times, tan lines don’t require any special remedy or treatment to disappear—except in extreme cases. Simply staying away from direct sunlight exposure for some time may be enough to reverse any damage already done to your skin.
The skin is a self-healing organ. However, we need to give it ample time and consume ample protein-rich diets for the skin to effectively perform that duty.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!