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You may have noticed the appearance of dark or light round spots on your face, neck and arms when exposed to sunlight. These are freckles. Most freckles are harmless spots that form due to overproduction of melanin.
- Causes of freckles
- Home Remedies to Lighten Freckles
- Medical options for getting rid of freckles
- Different types of freckles
- Risk factors for freckles
- How to prevent the appearance of freckles?
- When should you see a doctor?
- How long does it take to get rid of freckles?
- What is the difference between freckles, moles and sun spots?
- Are freckles forever?
Causes of freckles
The development of freckles is primarily related to exposure to sunlight and a possible genetic predisposition to the development of freckles.
Our skin produces melanin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or sun rays. This then leads to excessive melanin deposits in one place, causing freckles. Freckles are found mainly in people with blond or red hair, fair skin and light eyes.
Note:Freckles do not form without exposure to sunlight. If you see them appearing on areas of your body that are not exposed to sunlight, it may be a sign of malignant skin cancer. In such cases, seek medical attention immediately
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There are several treatment options available to reduce the appearance of freckles, including skin lightening creams, pigment lasers, and chemical peels. But if you want to try some home remedies to lighten freckles, you can read about them below.
Please note that the effectiveness of these products depends on your skin type and genetics. Also, always do a test before applying any of these ingredients to your face.
Note: These remedies are not scientifically proven to eliminate freckles directly. If you are sensitive to certain ingredients, do not proceed with the recipe.
Professional ways to cleanse your skin
Modern beauty salons offer a wide range of techniques for removing freckles.
Here are the most popular of them:
- chemical peeling is carried out using a variety of acidic compounds (usually fruit), which “remove” the top layer of the epidermis along with hyperpigmented areas. Depending on the degree of the problem and the age of the patient, the cosmetologist selects a procedure of a certain depth of influence;
- cryotherapy is effective when there is not a lot of hemp. Specks are removed using liquid nitrogen;
- Phototherapy is based on exposing the pigment to a light flash with a specific wavelength. Cells of pigmented areas absorb radiation and disintegrate from high temperatures;
- microdermabrasion removes the upper layer of the dermis, covered with ephelides mechanically (microcrystals of aluminum oxide). The procedure is painful and is performed under local anesthesia;
- Quartz treatment is recommended for people with a large number of stains. Usually the procedure is carried out in conjunction with ozone therapy to saturate the skin with oxygen;
- Laser therapy is today recognized as the most effective way to eliminate ephelides even in the most advanced cases. Exposure to the beam rarely causes severe pain, does not destroy adjacent tissue, and has a prolonged effect.
Attention: each method has a number of contraindications! To avoid negative consequences, you must first consult with a specialist.
Getting rid of freckles on your face forever is difficult. Several manipulations may be required, as well as their subsequent regular implementation to maintain the result.
Procedures must be carried out only in a professional salon, under the supervision of a cosmetologist. At home, it is better not to experiment with aggressive substances or physical effects on the skin.
You can remove freckles on your face yourself using much safer methods, but you should not expect an instant effect from them.
Home Remedies to Lighten Freckles
- Apple vinegar
- Lemon
- Aloe vera
- Turmeric
- Yogurt
- Honey
- Eucalyptus oil
- Essential oil
- Cocoa butter
- Shea Butter
- Eggplant
- Banana peel
- Kiwi
Apple vinegar
Malic acid exfoliates darkened skin cells. This helps in lightening freckles.
You will need
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Mix honey and vinegar and apply to freckles. You can also apply this mixture all over your face.
- Leave it for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water.
Apply it once a day to your freckles. If you apply it all over your face, repeat every other day.
Lemon
Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. Vitamin C has photoprotective and anti-pigmentation properties that help protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays. It reduces melanin production to reduce pigmentation on your skin.
You will need
- Lemon juice Cotton pad
- Squeeze the lemon and collect the juice in a bowl.
- Using a cotton pad, apply the juice to the freckled area.
- Leave it on the skin for 15-20 minutes and wash off.
You do this twice a week.
Caution: Do not use this product if you have sensitive skin as lemon juice may cause redness and irritation. Also, make sure you apply sunscreen before going out in the sun, as lemon juice makes your skin photosensitive.
Aloe vera
Topical application of aloe vera gel triggers the production of metallothionein in the skin, which prevents UV-induced damage. It may also inhibit tyrosinase activity. Thus, it can reduce the deposition of melanin in the skin, which will lead to a reduction in the number of freckles.
You will need
- Fresh aloe vera gel
- Apply some fresh aloe gel to the freckles and massage for 2-3 minutes.
- Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes and then rinse off.
- You can also leave the mask on overnight.
Repeat this every day.
Turmeric
Research shows that curcumin, the main component of turmeric, inhibits melanogenesis. This means that it can reduce the excessive deposition of melanin in the skin that causes freckles.
You will need
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Make a fine paste of turmeric powder and lemon juice.
- Apply this paste on the freckled areas and wait until it dries.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
Do this once a week.
Yogurt
Yogurt contains lactic acid. Lactic acid inhibits tyrosinase activity, inhibits melanin formation and reduces hyperpigmentation. These effects may help reduce the appearance of freckles.
You will need
- 2-3 tablespoons yogurt
- Apply yogurt to freckled areas.
- Massage in circular motions for about 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
Apply this daily.
Honey
Honey contains phenolic and flavonoid compounds that may help suppress tyrosinase activity. This controls excess melanin production in your skin, which in turn can reduce the appearance of freckles.
You will need
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh honey
- Make a thick paste of honey and lemon juice.
- Apply this paste to freckled areas.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off.
Do this twice a week.
Caution: Do not use this product if you have sensitive skin as lemon juice may cause redness and irritation. Also, apply sunscreen before going outside as lemon juice makes your skin photosensitive.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil that is widely used for its pharmacological properties. Eucalyptus oil inhibits tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis, which helps reduce hyperpigmentation. Thus, it can help in reducing freckles.
You will need
- 2-3 drops eucalyptus oil
- A few drops of carrier oil
- Dilute two to three drops of eucalyptus oil with a carrier similar to sweet almond oil.
- Apply it to the freckled areas and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with a washcloth.
Do this once a day before bed.
Note: Do not try this product if you have hypersensitive skin.
Pomelo essential oil
Pomelo oil is known to have anti-melanogenic and antioxidant properties. This means it reduces melanin synthesis and can reduce the appearance of freckles.
You will need
- 2-3 drops pomelo essential oil
- A few drops of carrier oil
- Take two to three drops of pomelo essential oil and dilute it with a carrier such as sweet almond or jojoba oil.
- Apply this to freckled areas.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse off with water.
Repeat this daily before going to bed.
Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter contains bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, that provide photoprotection and may reverse the effects of UV-induced skin damage. Thus, it can prevent the development of brown spots caused by freckles.
You will need
- 1-2 teaspoons cocoa butter
- Take one or two teaspoons of cocoa butter.
- Apply to freckles and massage gently into skin.
- Leave it on overnight and wash off with cleanser the next morning.
You can repeat this every night before going to bed for 2-3 weeks.
Shea Butter
Shi kernels have been found to inhibit melanogenesis. Shea butter may help reduce melanin synthesis and reduce the appearance of freckles.
You will need
- 1-2 teaspoons shea butter
- Heat one to two teaspoons of shea butter until warm.
- Gently massage it into the freckled area.
- Leave it on overnight and wash it off in the morning.
Repeat this every night for 3-4 weeks.
Eggplant
Eggplants are rich in bioactive compounds such as vitamins, phenols and antioxidants. These compounds exhibit photoprotective properties that may help prevent skin damage when exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This may help reduce freckles.
You will need
- 1 fresh eggplant
- Cut the eggplant into slices.
- Rub these pieces into your freckles in a circular motion.
- Let the eggplant juice sit on your skin for 15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
Repeat this once a day.
Banana peel
Banana peel contains bioactive compounds that can inhibit melanogenesis and thus reduce freckles.
You will need
- Ripe banana peel
- Rub the peel of a ripe banana onto the freckled areas of your skin.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Wash it off.
Do this once a day.
Kiwi
Kiwi contains flavonoids such as quercetin, which can inhibit tyrosinase activity. This can lead to a reduction in any skin pigmentation, including freckles.
You will need
- 1 kiwi
- 2-3 strawberries
- Make a thick paste of the two fruits by mixing them.
- Apply this fruit mask to freckled areas.
- Leave on for about 20-25 minutes before rinsing off.
Do this twice a week.
If you want to go the medical route or want to lighten your freckles quickly, check out the medical treatment options listed below.
Facial skin massage
Facial massage is an effective way to restore skin elasticity, stimulate blood flow, and slow down the aging process. The procedure also enhances the effect of pigmentation evening out products.
For freckles and age spots, instead of the usual massage oil, you should use formulations with plants containing lightening agents. It's quite simple to prepare. You need to combine any vegetable oil with juice in equal proportions:
- cucumber;
- grenade;
- tomato;
- lemon;
- Luke;
- apple
Distribute the resulting composition along the massage lines of the face with smoothing movements. Then move on to patting with your fingertips, paying special attention to areas with excess pigmentation. Finish the massage with relaxing strokes. Oil solutions can be frozen in molds; do the same with ice cubes. The whole procedure lasts about 5 minutes. You need to complete it by applying a nourishing cream. The course consists of 10-15 sessions, then you need to take a break of a couple of weeks.
Girls for whom freckles are a big problem can try to cope with hemp with the help of professional cosmetics.
Medical options for getting rid of freckles
- Alpha hydroxy acid toners can help improve signs of photodamage, thereby reducing the likelihood of freckling.
- Chemical facial peeling is an effective treatment for pigmented disorders such as freckles.
- Laser therapy can promote the formation of new collagen, thereby eliminating old epidermal cells and resulting in clearer skin. However, laser therapy may include complications such as mild texture changes and hyperpigmentation, which may resolve within 2-6 months. The study showed >50% improvement in freckles with negative recurrence.
- Along with daily sunscreen use, retinoid creams, hydroquinone, chemical peels and dermabrasion can help remove sun spots.
Along with following these home remedies and medical treatments, it is also good to know what kind of freckles you have so that you can treat them more effectively. Check them out below.
Question answer
It should take about a month. In addition, it is worth preparing for such a procedure.
Unfortunately this is not possible. You can lighten your skin, protect it from sun rays, and carry out various procedures, but freckles will appear again after some time. This means that you have such a feature of melanin synthesis. This is due to genetic reasons.
Yes, this procedure is also carried out to lighten the skin. To do this, preparations with whitening components are injected under the skin. Course required: 5-10 sessions. But a better effect can be achieved through bioreparation. It will help whiten the skin, moisturize it, and rejuvenate it.
Different types of freckles
- Ephelides: These are a common type of freckles that are seen in most people. These freckles are flat and dark brown. Although they are genetically determined, they can also be caused by sun exposure. Solar lentigines: These freckles are characterized by a dark brown patch on the skin. They develop in adulthood as a result of sun exposure and can be classified as aging spots and sun spots.
It's also a good idea to know your risk factors for freckles and when to seek medical help.
Leave a request
Freckles are a consequence of sun kisses and a new summer trend. Are they safe and how to get rid of them if there are too many of them?
Dermatologists poetically called freckles “ephelides.” Their specificity is seasonality. Small light brown dots appear in abundance in those with white skin with the arrival of spring and increasing solar activity. That’s why they were popularly called “freckles.” Some beauties dream of removing freckles forever. Others, on the contrary, draw them with colored pencils and show off selfies on social networks.
Risk factors for freckles
Some research suggests that a certain gene and frequent sun exposure work in tandem to develop freckles.
It also depends on the type of melanin:
- Pheomelanin: People with this type of melanin have lighter skin tone and red or blond hair. Their skin does not tan well. Pheomelanin does not protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation and increases the risk of developing freckles.
- Eumelanin: This type of melanin is found in brown and black hair. People with eumelanin have darker skin tones and brown or black hair.
This makes their skin tan easily and is usually protected from skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.
Risk factors for solar lentigines are somewhat different from those for regular freckles, and they include:
- Darker skin tone, which directly translates into higher tanning ability and solar lentigins.
- History of the development of freckles
- Exposure to sunlight
- Current use of oral contraceptives or progestogens
Recipes for masks to combat pigmentation
Homemade anti-freckle masks have many benefits. They are completely natural, gentle and safe.
Despite all the harmlessness when carrying out whitening procedures, you need to take some precautions:
- do not make masks more than twice a week;
- Be sure to cleanse your face of makeup first;
- carry out procedures at night so that you don’t have to go outside right away;
- do not keep the mask on for more than 20 minutes;
- rinse with water at room temperature;
- After applying a nourishing (or moisturizing) cream.
How to prevent the appearance of freckles?
- Always apply sunscreen before going out into the sun.
- Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved tops and full-length pants.
- Use wide-brimmed hats or caps.
- Stay indoors during peak sunlight hours.
These simple remedies and prevention tips will help you deal with freckles. If you feel that what you have does not fit the description of normal freckles, see your dermatologist and understand the cause of the pigmentation on your skin.
Washing
Daily cleansing is the most important part of skin care. Those with freckled skin need to use natural substances with a whitening effect. Kefir or yogurt perfectly refreshes the face and evens out the color.
Decoctions and infusions from:
- lemon;
- celandine;
- parsley;
- ginger;
- milkweed;
- parsnip.
You need to wash your face with these products daily, alternating them. After washing, be sure to apply nourishing sunscreen.
Contraindications
Contraindications to skin lightening exist for salon procedures, medicinal ointments and creams, and home remedies.
Cases when freckle bleaching is prohibited by any means:
- skin damage at the site of pigment spots;
- rashes of various origins on the skin;
- herpes in the active stage;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- ARVI or other viral pathology in the acute stage;
- oncopathology of the skin, in some cases - of any origin and localization;
- for laser – thyroid disease;
- childhood;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- individual intolerance to the components of a mask, lotion, cream, home remedy.
Other contraindications should be studied in the manufacturer's instructions. First of all, visit a dermatologist or cosmetologist, and only then choose methods for lightening the skin.
A freckled face is typical of cute, mischievous people. And if a scattering of sun kisses doesn’t spoil your attitude, then you shouldn’t touch them!
General recommendations (3 important tips)
To achieve pronounced results, cosmetologists recommend combining several methods of combating freckles: home remedies, specialized cosmetics, salon procedures.
Taking vitamin cocktails that help suppress melanin synthesis will also help enhance the effect.
For their preparation, mulberries, licorice, and vitamin A and C are used. Each case is individual, so to properly solve the problem, it is better to consult a dermatologist.
A specialist will help you choose a treatment regimen that is right for you, taking into account the severity of freckles, their location, skin type, skin tone and other factors.
As a preventive measure:
- reduce your time in the sun, wear hats and sunglasses;
- use sunscreen at any time of the year;
- moisturize your skin well, take care of your health (hormonal levels, digestion, etc.).
If you want to get rid of pigmentation or freckles, you definitely need to use sunscreen. Regardless of whether UV rays are the main culprit of your problem, they will absolutely worsen any stains you are trying to get rid of.
Dermatologist Corey Hartman (Birmingham, Alabama)