There are several skin lightening techniques that involve using chemical peals and surgical procedures that help to lighten your skin tone, but they all come with a huge price tag. Added to that you have a risk of skin damage that in some cases may be irreversible. If you are looking to get rid of a tan or simply lighten your complexion there are several home remedies that you can try. These remedies take time to be effective but they definitely have no side effects and therefore they are your best bet.

Vitamin C is known to boost the production of melanin, thus a diet high in Vitamin C is a good bet. Eat plenty of oranges, berries and kiwis and drink orange juice daily.

A simple yet highly effective remedy uses olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix the oil and the juice and apply it all over your skin and let it stay for about an hour. Lemon is natural bleach and hence it helps to lighten your skin. Wash it of with milk after about an hour.

If you are looking at lightening discolored elbows and knees then simply rub left over lemons on your skin and keep it there for as long as possible. Do this regularly and your skin will retain its original color. Always wash of lemon with either milk or warm water for best effects.

Mix a spoon of olive oil, 3 spoons of lemon juice and the white of an egg. Paint the mixture all over your face, neck, arms and legs. Wash it off with warm water and you will notice whiter healthier skin instantly. You can refrigerate the excess material for the next day.

Mix all purpose flour and milk to make a thick paste and use this on all the exposed parts of your body. This will cause the skin to glow after about 15 minutes.