How to Get Rid of Freckles

Freckles are tiny brown spots on the skin. It occurs on the parts where your skin gets sun exposure. For most people, freckles are not dangerous. They occur because of the melanin overproduction. Melanin is responsible for color (pigmentation) of hair and skin. Entire, freckles occur from ultraviolet radiation stimulation.

Freckles have two categories such as solar lentigines and ephelides. Ephelides are a general type of most people who think of as freckles.

Solar lentigines are dark spots on the skin which grow during adulthood such as aging spots, sunspots.  The different types of freckles may look the same but vary as they develop.

Freckles look flat like moles, and it is not harmful. Nobody can get freckles even if they have it genetically. Usually, freckles are induced by sun exposure.

How do freckles happen?

Ephelides

This type of ephelides freckle occurs due to the exposure of sun and sunburns. It may occur in any individual’s skin who don’t have UV ray’s protection. The freckles may happen on the face, upper body and back.

The ephelides commonly occur in people with lighter skin tone and light hair color. The people from Asia and Caucasian are more prone to get ephelides.

Solar lentigines

It occurs in Caucasian and elder people over 40 years old.

How chances of freckles increase?

Environmental and genetic factors contribute to freckles.

According to the study of 523 mid-age French women, two factors were predicted the freckles presence such as genes and frequent sunburn called MC1R, which responsible for producing melanin.

It is also possible that the gene doesn’t affect every person in the same way because melanin production happens in two different ways such as eumelanin and pheomelanin.

Individuals who produce pheomelanin and not have UV radiation protection may have the following things.

• light skin
• freckles
• red or blonde hair
• skin that tans poorly

Prevention is the key to reduce freckles. You can apply different ways to make it disappear.  According to the American-Academy-of-Dermatology suggest that applying water-resistant sunscreen containing an SPF of 30 on the skin can help to prevent UV ray’s effects. After applying SPF wait for 15 minutes before going outdoor for complete protection. Do this every day to stop the pigmentation.

The best ways to get rid of freckles.

Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen is the best way to prevent the freckle formation. If your skin is sensitive to get freckles, then you should use sunscreen in sunny days and also in cloudy season.

Sunscreen may not remove existing freckles, but it will prevent new ones.

The-American-Academy-of-Dermatology suggests tips such as

• Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or more.
• Apply sunscreen on bare skin before 15 minutes of going out.
• If you get more sweat, then wash your skin and apply the sunscreen again on your face. It will reduce the freckles.

Chemical peel

A chemical peel can help to reduce the freckle problem. It uses the chemical solution by exfoliating and peeling off the damaged skin areas. You can use a mild peel containing trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid which stimulate the middle layer of skin. Once you successfully remove the damaged skin, your body will restore the new skin.

In some cases, chemical peels may temporarily show side effects including:

• irritation
• stinging
• peeling
• redness
• crusting
• swelling

According to the American-Society-for-Dermatologic-Surgery, a medium chemical peel will take at least two weeks for healing. You will require to soak the skin every day and use topical ointment. You may also require to take antiviral for two weeks and avoid direct sunlight to speed up the healing process.

Topical fading cream

You can use fading cream which is also called as bleaching cream found over the counter, but you should take a prescription from your doctor. Most of the bleaching cream contains hydroquinone – an important ingredient to suppress melanin production. It also makes your skin light in the affected parts.

Using hydroquinone cream may cause your side effects including:

• Inflammation
• Dryness
• Blistering
• Burning
• Skin discoloration

In 1982, the US-Food-and-Drug-Administration (FDA) recognized

bleaching products have 2% of hydroquinone as effective and safe.

Topical retinoid cream

You can use retinoid cream for removing freckles. Topical retinoid cream contains vitamin A combination which helps to improve sun damage and lighten the freckles.

According to the review of 2014, retinoids provide photoprotection by receiving ultraviolet B radiation. It may serve to stop new freckles formation.

However, retinoid cream found without prescription, and its common side effects include:

• Redness
• Dryness
• Skin irritation
• Peeling
• Sensitivity

Natural Remedies for treating freckles

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar includes malic acid which helps to peel the darkened skin cells make skin brighter and raises the freckles.

How to use?

• Apple cider vinegar -1 tablespoon
• Honey -1 teaspoon

Remedy:

Combine vinegar and honey well and utilize it on induced freckles.  Keep it for 15 to 20 minutes and clean it with lukewarm water. You can also use it on the whole face.

Use this medication everyday one time on your freckles. For face use, you can do it on every other day.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a well-tested way to get rid of freckles. It contains active ingredients called citric acid which is a natural agent for bleaching. However, lemon juice helps to lighten the color of freckles and remove them with some time.

How to use?

Squeeze some lemon juice and apply it on your freckles affected area. Smoothly massage your skin for at least 5-10 minutes and wash with lukewarm water. You can do this remedy every day two times.

You can also mix lemon juice with one tablespoon yogurt (beaten). Apply it on your affected skin and let it get dry then wash it with cool water. Repeat this remedy on a daily basis for two months.

Alternatively, you can mix one tablespoon lemon juice, one tablespoon honey with one pinch of salt. Apply it to affected freckles and wait for ten minutes and wash it. You can use this remedy every day once.

Yogurt for Freckles

Yogurt is the best method to stop freckles. It comprises lactic acid which helps to peel and extricate the dead skin cells from the external layer. As a result, it will expose the bright skin. It also shrinks the pores.

How to use yogurt with freckles?

• Unflavoured yogurt – 1/4 cup
• Lemon Juice – one teaspoon
• Mix both the elements well and apply on affected freckle skin.
• Set for 10-15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
• Follow this treatment every alternate day.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera can serve to reduce the freckles on the skin by decreasing pigmentation. It has aloesin which limits the skin pigmentation method. Try to use fresh gel by growing an aloe vera plant in your home garden.

How to use it?

Take some fresh aloe vera gel and massage on freckles for two to three minutes. Let it get dry for ten minutes and then wash it.

Do this process every day.

Aloe vera is a best natural element to handle the sunburn from its strong healing ability at the epithelial level of your skin which is a cell layer which covers the body.

It works as a protecting layer for the skin and helps in providing moisture. As aloe vera contains natural antioxidant qualities, it helps to heal your skin quickly.

Aloe vera helps to moisturize your skin without adding any greasy feel, and your complexion looks perfect. For women with dry skin and use mineral based makeup helps provide deep moisturization and prevent dryness.

Additionally, Aloe vera gel has two special hormones such as Gibberelliand auxin. These two hormones are given anti-inflammatory qualities and wound healing powers that lower skin inflammation.

The growth hormone Gibberellin present in aloe vera act to stimulate the new cells growth. It promotes quick skin healing and reduces scarring.

Sour Cream

The lactic acid available in sour milk helps to prevent freckles. It is specifically helpful for people with sensitive skin.

Sour cream is a type of dairy product extracted from fermenting normal cream by specific type of lactic acid bacteria. The bacterial production is introduced naturally or freely by thickening or souring the cream.

It named sour cream because it is prepared from lactic acid production by bacterial fermentation.

Traditionally, sour cream was prepared from skimmed milk. It is extracted from the top of the milk and evaporated at a medium temperature. You can also make it by souring sterilized cream with the acid-producing bacterial environment. The bacteria that grow while fermentation makes the cream thick and more acidic which is a natural way of protecting it.

Traditional sour cream provides 18% to 20% butterfat and its features tang from lactic acid produced by the bacteria.

How to use?

Apply some sour cream on your freckles affected skin part and let it get dry for some minutes. Make sure to wipe it gently with a soft towel or soft tissue before washing with water.

Then apply a good moisturizer which suits your skin. The sour cream remedy will not cause your skin dryness or irritation.

Alternatively, you can wash freckle affected skin part with sour milk every day. You can replace sour milk with yogurt.

Honey

Honey is a popular traditional remedy for getting rid of freckles. Its enzymes quality prevent pigmentation by lightening the skin. As a natural humectant, it provides the best moisturization for your skin.

How to use honey?

• Mix one tablespoon honey and one tablespoon water and slightly heat it.
• Apply it on your freckles affected the skin and let for 5-10 minutes.
• Then rinse it thoroughly with warm water.
• You can follow this remedy every day for best results.

Alternatively, you can make an herbal tea made by mixing one teaspoon warm honey and a few wheat germs. Apply this mask on freckles and let it for 10 minutes.

While using remedy you will need to wash it first with warm water, and then with cold water. Follow this remedy for several months by repeating 2-3 times in a week. It is one of the best and effective way for fading freckles.

Another way to remove freckles is to mix yogurt and honey and apply it on the affected parts for 30 minutes every day to get the desired result.

Honey is the best source for exfoliating your skin by doing a gentle scrub. While mixing baking soda with honey provide light exfoliation and soothing effects. You can also use this remedy on your legs, arms, and toe to get the benefit of effective concoction.

Red Onions

Red onions provide best exfoliating qualities similar to lemons. Additionally, it contains sulfur which helps to prevent freckles. Make sure to use only red onion preferably than white onions.

Onion is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals with other important nutrients. It provides gorgeous looking skin.

Onion contains flavonoids and vitamins such as A, C, and E. These vitamins assist in protecting skin cells from ultraviolet rays damaging effects.

The components of red onion especially quercetin an antioxidant and sulfur-rich phytochemicals provide effective benefits for preventing free radical damages. It also keeps your aging signs away.

The presence of antioxidants also works to detoxify your body by eliminating toxins from your bloodstream. It prevents all types of skin issues including freckles by purifying the skin deeply.

Additionally, it contains antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities by nature. Therefore, it kills acne-causing bacteria, heals scars, reduces inflammation and limits the breakouts.

The content of vitamin C in red onion helps to nourish the skin thoroughly and make it healthy. It makes your skin free of blemish and provides full radiance.

When you have a good environment for skin, it will be easy to reduce the chances of freckles.

How to apply Red onion?

Make thick slices of red onion. Gently massage the slices on your freckles affected skin parts for two times every day.

Another benefit, grind the red onion and take the juice of it. Add an equivalent amount of apple cider vinegar in the red onion juice.

Dip a cotton ball the red onion extract and apply it on freckles area.

Let the solution get dry and wash it with cool water. Follow the treatment every day.

Papaya

Papaya is also helpful for reducing the appearance of the freckles.  It contains papain which is an enzyme, and it helps to speed up the skin regeneration process by reducing dead skin cells and boost new skin cell growth.

You can also rub the inner peel of papaya on the freckle affected skin for some time. Wait till it gets dry and then touches with cool water. Use this simple solution every day for the best result.

The content of the papain enzyme and vitamin A serves to eliminate the inactive proteins and dead skin cells. It helps to restore the skin thoroughly by retaining the skin hydrated. If you are looking to have glowing skin, then use papaya with honey. As your skin color become light, it will easy to reduce the freckle marks.

How to use papaya for freckles?

• Make a juice of ripe papaya and extract the juice.
• By using cotton ball gently apply the papaya juice on the freckles affected parts. Then massage your skin.
• Wait for 10 minutes and wash your skin with cool water
• Apply this remedy every day.

Amla For Freckles

Amla extracts are one of the best ways to remove freckles. It provides gallic acid and ellagic acid were help to reduce the skin by regulating the melanin formation.

As amla contain high vitamin C and antioxidants, it works as the best beverage for natural skin glow. You can combine honey and amla for lighter and brighter skin.

You may continue to look younger by having youthful skin by drinking amla juice. Frackle occurrence on the face can be annoying. The vitamin C present in amla juice provide premature aging such as dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Adding amla juice in your diet can be more beneficial for the skin. It helps to remove the skin pigmentation and provide glowing skin. You can also apply amla juice to face skin and wash after a few minutes. It will remove the skin pigmentation and lighten the freckles.

Due to carelessness or vitamin deficiency, your skin loses collagen and skin tissues lose their softness and firmness. Amla helps to treat the saggy skin and boost collagen cells production. The vitamin C work to provide soft, supple, youthful and toned skin.

Using amla for skin provide powerful healing benefits. The content of vitamin C and antioxidants help to speed up the process of repairing damaged tissues. It also reduces the issues of scaly and dry skin.

How to use amla for freckles?

• Mix one or two teaspoons of amla powder with water and make a smooth paste.
• Apply this amla paste of freckle affected skin such as face and neck.
• Wait for ten minutes and wash it after getting dry.
• You can repeat the application once in two days.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk contains lactic acid which provides cooling and soothing effects for the skin. It provides mild acid which helps to reduce the skin darkness of freckles affected parts and other dark spots.

The content of lactic acid in the buttermilk boost gentle peeling of the skin without causing dryness and irritation. It also promotes skin elasticity and improves the radiance and smoothness in your skin.

How to use buttermilk for freckles?

• Soak a cotton ball in the buttermilk and apply on freckles. Wait for 10 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water. You can follow this remedy every day two times.
• Add sufficient buttermilk with two tablespoons of oatmeal powdered with make thick paste. Apply the paste freckle affected parts and wash after 30 minutes. Follow this remedy once in every day.
• Additionally, you can directly apply buttermilk of freckles. Wait for 10 minutes and wash it. Follow this remedy two times a day.

Castor Oil

Using castor oil helps to decrease skin pigmentation and reduce freckles. Additionally, it contains lots of nutrients which keeps skin healthy. You will need to buy odorless castor oil.

How to use castor oil for freckles?

Apply a fair amount of castor oil on your affected skin and keep it overnight.

Wipe out the castor oil with soft tissue paper and then rinse your face with lukewarm water.

Perform this remedy every day for best results.

Parsley

Parsley is one of the best remedies for treating freckles. It contains rich vitamin C, potassium, manganese and calcium. These nutrients are helpful for maintaining normal collagen production and skin tone. Additionally, parsley work as bleaching agents.

How to use parsley for freckles?

• Make a juice of fresh parsley by grinding it.
• Add an equal amount of orange and lemon juice in the parsley juice.
• You can also mix the same amount of red currant juice.
• Apply these mixed juices on the freckles affected parts and wash after ten minutes.
• You can repeat this remedy every day once.

Horseradish

Horseradish is a strong bleaching ingredient. It is helpful for lightening the freckles and removes the pigmentation of your skin.

Horseradish is a perennial plant belongs to Brassicaceae family including broccoli, wasabi, cabbage, and mustard. It is a type of root vegetable utilized as a spice and prepared as a sauce.

How to use horseradish for freckles?

• Blend a grated horseradish with one lemon juice. You can also mix one tablespoon of sour cream to make a fine paste.
• Apply this horseradish paste on freckles affected skin parts and let it dry.
• Wash it later with cold water and apply moisturizer.
• Follow this treatment every alternate day.

Cucumber

Cucumber is a healthy vegetable for the skin. It is famous for hydrating skin. As it contains vitamin A, C, and K, it prevents free radical damage to the skin.

Also, cucumber work to bleach your skin make it toned by fading freckles.

How to us cucumber for freckles?

• Make a puree of cucumber by cutting it into the small pieces.
• With the help of cheesecloth, extract the cucumber juice.
• Mix one teaspoon of water in a teaspoon of cucumber juice.
• Apply this juice on freckles and wait for 20 minutes.
• Later wash with cool water.
• You can follow this remedy every day for best results.

Cocoa Butter for Freckles

Cocoa butter is the best ingredient for freckles. It nourishes your skin and makes it supple. The content of antioxidants helps to decrease the freckles, age spot and prevent stretch marks.

How to use cocoa butter for freckles?

• Take 100% cocoa butter.
• Cleanse your face with gentle cleanser or exfoliator.
• Dry your skin with a soft towel and apply cocoa butter on affected parts.
• Massage gently till the cocoa butter gets absorb in the skin.
• Keep it overnight and repeat this every night.

Shea Butter for Freckles

Use shea butter for treating freckles. It contains healing qualities and best hydrating agents for the skin. It helps to heal the scars, blemish, dark spot and freckles.

How to use shea butter for freckles?

• Heat some shea butter in your palm and apply with your finger on freckles parts. Keep it overnight.
• Follow this every night regularly.

Baking Soda for Freckles

You can also reduce freckles by using baking soda. It acts as an effective exfoliant and eliminates the dead skin cell from the outer layer.

How to use baking soda for freckles?

• Take one pinch of baking soda
• Two drops of castor oil
• Mix both the ingredients and apply on the affected skin parts.
• Leave it for half an hour and wash.
• Follow this remedy two times every day.

Banana Peel

A beneficial synthesis for anti-aging and skin lightening and identified as gluconolactone is seen in the banana peel. Gently rub the banana peel on freckle skin part and get excellent firm and tight skin.

How to use banana peel for freckles?

• Take a part of banana peel and rub with the inner part of the peel on the freckle skin for two minutes.
• Let the skin to receive peel nutrients and then wash.
• Follow this remedy every day to fade the freckles.

Eggplant

You can also treat freckles by eggplants. Eggplants provide vitamin A, B, and E with essential antioxidants which helps to reduce the darkness of freckles and keep your skin healthy.

How to use freckles for eggplant?

• Take fresh eggplant slices with 1/4-inch thickness.
• Rub this slices on freckles skin for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Keep it for 15 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
• Follow this remedy every day to remove freckles fast.

Kiwi Fruit

Kiwi is a healthful fruit. As it contains antioxidants, it helps to protect the skin. When you mix kiwi with strawberries, it acts as a natural exfoliant for skin lightening in freckle parts.

How to use kiwi for freckles?

• Take one kiwi and one or two strawberries.
• Make a blend of both fruits’ pulp and apply it on your freckles skin.
• Wait for 15 to 20 minutes and wash with water.
• Apply this pack 2-3 time every week.

Turmeric for Freckles

You can use turmeric for fading freckles skin. It can be the best herbal pack for treating skin and toning. It decreases the dark spots and blemishes when used regularly.

How to use turmeric for freckles?

• Make a paste of 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and water. Wait for 15 minutes till it gets dry and then gently scrub it.
• After removing all turmeric, wash your face.
• Follow this remedy every day for fast results.

Laser treatment

Go for laser treatment when your skin condition is more damaged. The severe damage condition needs intense light to treat the freckle. There are different laser treatments available for freckles.

According to the study of 2015, the 1064 Q-Switched Nd YAG laser worked effectively for healing freckles. The results of the study discovered that this laser treatment lightened 50% of freckles in 62% of individuals.

The laser treatment of freckles is safe with minimal risk of scarring. However, the side effect includes

• Itching
• Peeling
• Infection
• Swelling
• Redness
• Crustiness
• Skin color change

People with oral herpes history may require to take antiviral medicines before opting for laser treatment. It is important because the laser can trigger herpes breakout around the mouth.

Your healthcare specialist may suggest other cream or medication before heading to the procedure. They may also tell to avoid some products and medications before laser treatment. Tell your doctor about every detail of previous medication history.

Your laser treatment may take up to two weeks for recovery. Multiple session is helpful for desired results.

 

Sources:

https://www.wikipedia.org/

https://www.healthline.com