I might offend some people here, but I downloaded Reddit just to ask this question. I’m asian but my skin is bright, and not too long ago, I went swimming with my friends. It was a sunny day and by the time we finished swimming, my skin was noticeably darker. I did not like it, I’m not racist or anything, I just don’t think I look nice with darker skin. That sentence triggered a lot of people I talk to, and maybe even you too. I tried ways to make my skin back to it’s original colour, but nothing worked. So I asked people close to me, friends, family and even strangers on ways to make my skin brighter. But yesterday, while asking a friend about it, a lady turned out to be listening and scolded me telling me it’s “racist” to not want darker skin. I explained to her that I just wanted my skin to go back to it’s original colour, but she yelled at me more telling me that I should stay the same. This is a very short post compared to the others, but that encounter left me thinking if I’m in the wrong or right, and if I’m racist or not.
Am I Wrong For Wanting My Skin To Come Back To Normal?
r/amiwrong
Comments
I don’t know if I’d say it’s racist but it is kinda weird. Also it’s just a tan and will fade lol
… you like your looks how you naturally look. There’s nothing wrong with that and it’s not racist. If anyone says it is, they’re objectively wrong. YNW
It’s a tan, those aren’t permanent. It will fade on its own
Having a personal preference for how you want your skin to look isn’t racist, but the way you may be talking about darker skin in. “Ugh ew dark skin is so gross I hate it I want light skin” can definitely be perceived in a racist way. Not saying that’s how you are talking about this, but just something to consider.
Also fwiw – I don’t think there’s any way to undo a suntan/burn. Try to be more diligent about sunscreen next time you go out.
Edit to add: The last thing I’ll say is sometimes things are “inside” thoughts. There’s really nothing you can do about your tanned skin right now, just let it fade. So talking to everyone and their brother about how much you hate your current skin tone may be off-putting. When you said this sentence triggered “a lot of people I talk to” I just wondered – why are you telling so many people about your tan? That’s just my opinion though.
It’s a tan, you just have to wait.
Sounds like you got tanned? There is no magic solution to make the tan go away, you’ll have to wait untill your skin loses the tan naturally. Apply sunscreen ans stay out of the sun to avoid further tanning.
And no, you are not racist for not liking being tanned. Maybe use “tanned skin” instead of “darker skin” to avoid racist associations?
I personally think I look better with some color. So if you think you look better without it I can’t see how that’s wrong somehow.
Tans fade. Next time use a waterproof high SPF sunscreen and you’ll be fine.
I know in your culture there is a history of discrimination against people with darker skin. If you’re uncomfortable with your skin reacting to sunlight apply sunscreen lotion or wear a burqa.
I’m going to TRY to answer you about your question without offending the entire internet.
You tanned and it dried out your skin. By saying brighter, you likely mean more full of moisture and radiant. To get that back, look into a skincare routine with vitamin C, hyaluric acid, and a good daily sunscreen. UV light is damaging. It changes your skin texture a lot, and prioritizing healthy skin is pretty common, as sunscreen is the best way to prevent skin cancer daily. Drinking waster and getting good sleep are also necessary.
However, saying that you don’t like your skin darker plays to common racist beliefs within Asian cultures. Once you start talking about skin color, people become TRIGGERED. There’s to much history with racism for that line of conversation to go over well with most people.
Don’t worry, it will go back to it’s normal color. IDK how long it’s going to take as everyone is different. For me it’s like 2 weeks but I burn easily and when I do get a tan it tends to go away really fast so I gave up even trying as it’s not worth it. And I have a lot of friends who are also white caucasians like me and they get to keep their tans much longer. So you can take this as a learning moment where you get to find out how long it is for you, because you can’t really tell until you try it. You can ask your parents too, it will be probably somewhat close to their experience.
And no, you aren’t wrong. And you aren’t racist for liking the skin tone you were born with.
Don’t stress, your tan will fade. You’re not racist, this is a body image issue. I suggest you get some therapy.
This has to be a troll post
Just stay out of the sun. Use sun screen. Eventually your skin will no longer be tan.
Well, no, you’re not wrong.
Your color now is not the color you’re comfortable with now or in your own mental self-image, and that’s fine.
I, too, darken in the sunlight (which is natural) and prefer my lighter shade.
For others to shame you for that is reprehensible, at least, and l racist at the most.
It’s kind of hard, though, to be comfortable in one’s skin when the appearance is something unusual to you, alien.
I say all of this as a black guy that’s a bit on the lighter side. I dont care who you are as a person (not you personally), but we all must just be comfortable with who we are and just accept the often uncomfortable things that can change our outward appearance.
Having said all of that, you may want to take sunscreen with you next time. Also, avoiding sunlight helps.
I’m asian. This is the view I have…
Straight hair people want curly hair. Curly hair people want straight hair. Dark skin people want paler skin. Pale skin people want tan.
You are brought up to view paler skin equal money and beauty. So you are not a racist.
The lady brought up to view tan skin equal money and beauty.
I see that everyone has different standards of what they view as beautiful. I don’t think you are in the wrong
It will fade eventually. What I do when I swim is wear a long sleeve rash guard and swim leggings and a hat. I have sensitive skin to sun exposure so that’s why I do what I do but I never tan. I also use water shoes
Not racist hit weird as a hell and maybe a red flag.
Some people are hypocrites. They “hate being pale and looking pasty” but once you say the opposite it’s a problem?? I’ll let you know this is such a non issue but people make it out to be a problem and twist your words to make it sound like you hate dark skinned people. For brightening skin I use the numbuzin glutathione toner pads and 2 times a week the medicube pore pads which have aha / bha! Everyone always comments on how pale and bright my skin is and I’ll always take it as a compliment even knowing some peoples intention with it. Also don’t forget sunscreen !!!
How old are you? I can’t see an adult feeling this way about a tan
Wear SPF 50 in the future. Not just for tanning, but skin cancer is real and sucks. Also helps prevent premature aging.
It’s not anymore racist than people who intentionally tan to look darker.
Hello! SEA here. Your tan will fade over time if you stick to shady areas and ensure you cover yourself. During winter is when you’ll lose your tan faster/fade faster/you’ll get back to your base tone.
When I was a kid I used to be such a beach bum and my tans were hilarious!!! I had some spots on my face that didn’t tan so it made for an interesting sight!!! Anyways, in my adult years that changed as I no longer went to the beach as often and I also burned after a bit in the sun so that’s how I know!
I hope some day your IQ also returns to normal
You going to have to wait out the tan. What you can do however I’d make sure you use sunscreen outside if you don’t want to get more tan. Mineral sunscreen is a great protectant which can have an appearance of lighter skin when a thin coat is applied. Doesn’t need to be anything fancy or high spf, a 35spf works fine for most people.
It can be triggering for some for sure, there’s a big colorism thing in asian countries if you talk to other asians. Tan is seen as less attractive than pale, many people have suffered from skin lightening products which a) don’t work well to begin with and b) are unregulated so you have no idea what chemicals they put in there and how it would react to skin and your overall health.
Have you never been out in the sun in your life before??
I find it hard to believe you just learned what a tan isn’t and that you were panicked enough to ask strangers their opinion on how to lighten your tan. While not necessarily racist it’s willfully oblivious and frankly reflects poorly on your intelligence.
Have you never had a tan before?? Get some SPF70 for next time. It’ll fade.
Is this the first time you have been out in the sun in your entire life? Are you not aware what it does? How old are you? I am really hoping you are no older than 12.
You got a tan. That’s all. It will fade in a couple of weeks. You’re good 👍
This has got to be fake. Surely everyone in the world understands the effects of the sun on skin regardless of race or skin color, and everyone knows those effects fade with a little time.
It’s the most nicest way, you’re kind of stupid lol.
Not wrong. Just a moron
People are stupid.
Sun tan is skin damage.
Start using sunscreen and wear hats.
Your skin should fade in time.
It’s called a tan, it will go away on its own. How old are you?
Its perfectly acceptable to state that you prefer not to have a tan. Refer to it as a tan. You may think it is the same, but it is not. Having said that it is acceptable to talk about not having a tan rather than darker or lighter skin.
Will it return to normal? Yes and no. Yes: Overtime the tan WILL fade. Moisturize, exfoliate 1x a week, use good sunscreen and reapply every hour, and stay covered or indoors. No: Sun exposure affects multiple layers of skin and damage from exposure, burns or tanning last or can last. Those include break down of collagen, sun spots, freckles, milia, blackheads, tougher skin texture, wrinkles, and premature aging. Prevention of damage is the most effective treatment. See a dermatologist for help brightening skin and keeping it healthy.
You’ve never had a tan before???? Really? Have you EVER spent any time outside, outside of walking to and from a car?
This has to be fake. Wtf.
Thats not racist, and people who tell you that don’t understand the meaning of the word.
AND I GUARANTEE that the people telling you this would be panicking if their hair suddenly took on an ethnic texture.
You are a colorist. And it’s a byproduct of white supremacy. you need to unpack that.
Everyone has their preferences and you wanting to be lighter is NOT racist. Tell people that get in to your business to mind their own business. I’m guessing that your tan will wear off in a couple of weeks, just like it does for most other humans. Just wait. Next time you’re out in the sun, use SPF often.
Wow…. lmfao just wow. If u don’t want a tan avoid the sun…. most of us white folk like that suntan lol sad
You aren’t wrong. I think a lot of times people see things as (figuratively) black and white too much. Like they have to over-compensate years racisim with being woke.
Im a light-skin hispanic, as a kid I was practically white. My dad is dark-skinned and my mom is white so I came out more like her. Older I got, the more “darker” I got.
One day I was with a bunch of my cousins and they are assing around a baby picture. The baby had my current skin color so someone thought it was me. I go, “no that wasnt me I was more of a whiter baby”. ANd everybody froze and someone said “damn I didnt think you didnt like dark skin”.
People say love your skin color but the second you want your natural skin color they get mad.
Stay out of the sun.
This is a clear troll post, don’t fall for it. Using the word triggered alone is a give away but the 6 hour old account and feigning ignorance of what a tan is
Clearly this is a fake post.
But I would like to point out that lighter skin does have a history in many Asian countries tries before they were invaded by western countries.
It often had to do with the mentality that, by being lighter skin, it meant you came from a well off family with servants and thus didn’t need to work.
Tanned skin, ie darker skin, was associated with individuals who worked in fields/outside all day, and thus were viewed as poor families.
So it isn’t necessarily a racist thing, but more of a classist view in a historical context. However, with racism being a huge issue with Asain countries being colonized, now it’s more so seen as you just over all seeing darker skin as being “less than”
https://thediplomat.com/2019/12/where-does-the-asian-obsession-with-white-skin-come-from/
Do you really not know what a tan is?
Definitely a troll post. No one actually cares if you want lighter skin.
If this is a real story, and someone did call you out, I’m sure it’s because you actually said something racist, not that you want your skin tone back.
Make sure to ALWAYS wear sunscreen when you do go outside, get the heavy duty SPF110 kind for days at the beach
Stay out of the sun as much as possible, wear a wide brimmed hat and long sleeves
You will probably still end up a bit tanned.
Signed a very white person who glows in the dark 😂
Your skin is producing the darker color to protect you from possible skin cancer.
It is normal and healthy.
It’s marketing that makes you think of it as ‘bad’.
Colorist. You might be racist, but the reason bleach creams are so popular with Asians, Indians, and various Black people is colorism. I’m Black. I wear sun screen…but also think my summer color looks great, and the only time I got sunburn, my post peeling skin looked amazing to me. White people aren’t going to agree because they don’t know anything about POCs internal struggles. And there is probably subconscious satisfaction that so many POC want to be lighter and think white is beautiful but dark is ugly. Skin protection is important. But you are probably colorist.
Use sunscreen/sunblock when you go outside in the sun. Wear a hat with a wide brim. Carry a parasol to block the sun. Wear long sleeves, long pants and sun blocking gloves.