Freckles are the small tan or tiny light brown skin spots that appear mostly on the face. They can also make way for other body parts that get sun exposure like the neck and shoulders. Even though freckles are natural and totally harmless, some people prefer freckle-less skin and look for ways to get rid of them. Are you looking for some easy and cost-effective tips to vanish them from your face?
There are certain types of treatments available if you need to know how to get rid of freckles, which include:
- Laser treatment
- Cryosurgery
- Retinoid Cream
- Topical fading cream
- Chemical peels
- Home-based remedies
Causes Of Freckles:
Freckles are basically skin cells containing a pigment called Melanin. Our skin cells make use of “Melanocytes” that cause Melanin production. It helps our skin by absorbing harmful sun rays and later reflects them. The cause of freckles is the exposure to sunlight which triggers melanocytes to produce more melanin resulting in freckles that may appear or darken the already present spots.
Some people may get it genetically. If you have a parent already affected by freckles then you are likely to develop them too. People with a light skin tone are more prone to freckles than people having a darker complexion.
The condition of freckles varies from person to person. There can be people whose freckles fade away during winters but return in summers. Some people can even have them all year round. However, they often fade with time when you get older.
Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist, explains, “Freckles are a sign of sun damage and are more common in people with lighter skin tones. They are essentially clusters of concentrated melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color.”
Types Of Freckles:
Freckles are of two types:
Ephelides:
These are flat spots slightly reddish or sometimes light brown appearing mostly during summers. This is the most common freckle type mostly found in people having a fair complexion, green eyes, or reddish hair.
Lentigines:
These are larger pigmented spots that may be present at the spots of previous sun damage or sunburn. Lentigines are darker in color than the common freckle. This type doesn’t even fade away during the winters.
Ten Best Home Remedies To Remove Freckles:
If you want to get rid of them naturally with the easiest ingredients available at your own home, then do look at the following tips:
Lemon:
Rich in Vitamin C, lemon has the right anti-pigmentary and photoreactive properties that protect your skin from harmful sun rays. It lightens the affected area by reducing melanin production.
How To Apply:
- Squeeze a lemon in a bowl
- With the help of a cotton pad, apply it to the affected area
- Leave it for 15-20 minutes
- Rinse it off
- You can repeat the procedure twice a week for better results
Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is quite famous for removing freckles and spots. It lightens freckles and helps in exfoliating dark skin cells as it contains malic acid. Vinegar not only improves your overall skin tone but also reduces all types of hyper-pigmentation.
How To Apply:
- Mix apple cider vinegar with honey
- Apply on the freckles affected area
- Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes
- Rinse with the help of lukewarm water
Turmeric:
Turmeric is a favorite product for treating several skin issues including freckles. Having curcumin compound reduces excessive melanin deposition that causes freckles.
How To Apply:
- Take 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- Stir well to form a paste
- Leave this mixture on the affected area for 20 minutes
- Rinse with lukewarm water and apply moisturizer for a better result
Aloe Vera:
It is the most effective beauty ingredient for every skin problem. Considering its metallothionein production in the skin, the damage caused by ultraviolet sun rays gets visibly reduced.
How To Apply:
- Take some fresh Aloe Vera gel and massage it lightly for 2-3 minutes
- Rinse off after leaving it on for approximately 10 minutes
- You can also leave the Aloe Vera gel on your face overnight and wash it off in the morning
Yogurt:
When looking for ways to remove freckles at home, you will find yogurt easily available in your kitchen. Yogurt reduces hyperpigmentation as it contains lactic acid. It can help reduce freckles on your face.
How To Apply:
- Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl
- Apply it to the affected area with light hands
- Wash it off with tap water
- You can repeat this procedure daily
Almond Oil:
Almond oil is the best oil for all skin-related problems. It is often combined with other beauty products to enhance your beauty. Being rich in Vitamin A and E, it reduces pigmentations considerably and nourishes the skin.
How To Apply:
- Take 2 to 3 drops of almond oil
- Use your fingers to apply it to the affected area
- Leave it on till your skin absorbs the oil completely
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water after nearly an hour
- This oil can be left overnight for improved results
Banana Peel:
This is the simplest and quickest tip to apply if you want to know how to get rid of freckles at home. Banana peel has bioactive compounds that reduce freckles as they inhibit melanogenesis.
How To Apply:
- Just don’t throw off the banana peel eating a banana
- Rub it on your face areas having freckles
- Wash it off
- You can repeat it every day
Note: If you want your freckles back, you can always try fake freckles, such as Henna freckles.
Kiwi Fruit:
Kiwi fruit is known for its flavonoids that reduce skin pigmentation considerably including freckles.
How To Apply:
- Take a kiwi fruit along with 2 to 3 strawberries
- Make a paste out of them in a blender
- Apply this paste to the affected areas
- Leave it for around 25 minutes and then rinse off with tap water
- Repeat it twice a week
Buttermilk:
It contains lactic acid, better known for lightening the freckles. Additionally, it makes your face soft and fresh too.
How To Apply:
- Apply buttermilk directly to your skin and the affected areas
- Wash it off after 10 to 15 minutes
- For better results, mix buttermilk with oatmeal to make a mask
Cocoa Butter:
Cocoa butter is rich in bioactive compounds that help in balancing melanin and reversing the damage caused to your skin by the sun rays.
How To Apply:
- Take a small quantity of cocoa butter similar to the size of a coin. Massage it on your face and leave it overnight
- Wash with tap water the next morning
- Follow this process for a month for improved results
Final Verdict
You can check all-natural and amazing products at henna guys for a better and quick treatment for your freckle problems. We boast of providing entirely nature-based ingredients without the addition of any preservatives to give your skin problems the best possible care.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist, notes, “Natural remedies like lemon juice and apple cider vinegar can be effective in lightening freckles due to their acidic properties, but they should be used with caution to avoid skin irritation.”
A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science found that turmeric, due to its curcumin content, significantly reduces melanin production, making it an effective natural remedy for freckles.
Another study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology highlighted the benefits of aloe vera in reducing UV-induced skin damage, which can help in managing freckles.
Dr. Doris Day, a clinical associate professor of dermatology, adds, “While home remedies can be helpful, it’s important to remember that consistent sun protection is key to preventing freckles from darkening or multiplying.”
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