What Causes Freckles?

Freckles are light brown or tan spots that appear on the skin and are made up of skin cell clusters containing melanin pigments. Freckles are distinct from moles considering that they are flat and not raised. It is worth noting that sun exposure causes the condition.

None of us is born with freckles though they are genetic in some cases.  Though unappealing, they are not harmful or painful. If you suffer from freckles and are looking for a way to get rid of them, here’s a look at seven ways you could this.

1. Sunscreen

Sunscreen will not get rid of already existing freckles; however, it could help stop more freckles appearing. If you are susceptible to freckles, it is advisable that you wear sunscreen all year-around, even on cloudy days.

Here are some tips from The American Academy of Dermatology:

– The sunscreen you use should have a sun protection factor of 30 or higher

– Apply your sunscreen on bare skin 15 minutes before heading outdoors

– Reapply your sunscreen every 2-hours, and immediately after excessive sweating or swimming

2. Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is where pulses of intense, focused light are targeted on damaged skin areas. When it comes to laser treatment, it is worth noting that there are several forms of laser. According to a study conducted in 2015, the 1064-Q-Switched Nd-YAG laser is quite effective when it comes to treating freckles. Results from the study showed that treatment using this option lightened more than 50% of freckles on 62% of participants.

Treatment using laser is generally safe with very low scarring risks. However, there are some side effects that could occur. They include:

– Swelling

– Itching

– Redness

– Peeling

– Crustiness

– Changes in skin color 

– Infection

People with oral herpes, or a history of the same, may have to take antiviral medication before laser treatment. That is because laser light could cause an outbreak of herpes in your mouth.

Your doctor could prescribe other creams or medications before treatment and could recommend that you avoid some products or medication before going for the procedure. It is vital that you let the doctor know about any creams or medication you are using.

It could take up to 2-weeks to recover after laser treatment according to Dore Aesthetics. It is worth noting that you will probably have to go for several sessions before you can see the results you are looking for.

3. Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is where extreme cold, usually liquid nitrogen, is used to freeze and rescind abnormal skin cells. This treatment option is largely safe and requires no anesthesia. The recovery time is also very short. Potential side effects of cryosurgery include bleeding, blistering, and hypopigmentation. The great thing about this option is that it rarely causes any scarring.

4. Topical Fading Cream

Also known as bleaching cream, fading cream is available as topical prescription medication or as an over-the-counter product. Most of these creams contain an agent known as hydroquinone, which is thought to lighten areas of the skin that is darkened and suppresses melanin production.

Topical creams containing hydroquinone may cause:

– Dryness

– Inflammation

– Burning

– Skin discoloration

– Blistering

The FDA, in 1982, declared that bleaching products containing up to 2% hydroquinone as effective and safe to use on skin. In the year 2006, new evidence showed that hydroquinone could cause cancer in rodents and could result in skin disfiguration and darkening. As a result, the FDA nominated hydroquinone for more study under NTP (the National Toxicology Program). Nevertheless, they (the FDA) still recommended that hydroquinone products remain on the market until research by the NTP is complete.

5. Topical Retinoid Cream

A topical retinoid cream is a vitamin A-rich compound used to lighten freckles and improve sun-damaged skin. A 2014 review showed that retinoid could offer photoprotection as it absorbs Ultraviolet-B radiation. This could help suppress the formation of new freckles.

Topical Retinoid creams are available as a prescription or non-prescription topical cream. Some of the side effects they present include:

– Dryness

– Peeling

– Skin irritation

– Redness

– Sensitivity

6. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use a chemical solution that exfoliates and peels off areas of skin that are damaged. To eliminate freckles, a moderate peel containing trichloroacetic or glycolic acid is used to penetrate to the skin’s middle layers. The removal of damaged skin gives new skin a chance to generate.

Chemical peels could temporarily cause:

– Peeling

– Stinging

– Redness

– Swelling

– Crusting

– Irritation

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery suggests that moderate skin peels could take up to 2 weeks to completely heal. It is essential that you soak your skin on a daily basis and to make sure that you apply a topical ointment. It is also imperative that you take prescription antiviral medication for about 2 weeks, and to avoid direct sunlight until you’ve healed.

7. Natural Remedies

There are plenty of natural remedies out there that people claim will get rid of freckles completely. It is worth noting that none of them has been scientifically proven. However, most of them are not likely to cause any harm when used moderately.

These remedies include:

Honey: Mix some honey with sugar or salt to make a skin scrub. It is believed that honey can help improve pigmentation.

Lemon Juice: Using a cotton ball, apply some lemon juice directly onto your skin then wash it off. It is also believed that lemon juice can lighten skin.

Buttermilk: Apply some buttermilk on your skin and leave it for about 10-minutes before rinsing with some warm water. You could also create a facial mask by mixing buttermilk with some oatmeal. Buttermilk contains lactic acid, something that could potentially lighten freckles.

Sour Cream: Apply some sour cream directly onto your skin and wash it off after a couple of minutes. Sour milk, like buttermilk, also contains lactic acid.

Yogurt: Apply some yogurt to your skin and let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing off.

Onion: Rub an onion on your skin then rinse with warm water. It is believed that onion could act as exfoliates and could help lighten dark spots.

If any of these options irritates, discontinue use.

Danielle Mead