How to Remove Freckles

Freckles occur as a result of sun exposure. While some people with darker complexions have some freckles, they are more common on fair-skinned individuals. Once you have freckles, it can take some time for them to fade.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sunscreen
• Skin lightening cream
• Facial scrub
• Vitamin C serum
• Dermatologist
• Photofacial

1. Make sunscreen part of your daily routine. Since the sun causes freckles, it's imperative that you wear sunscreen if you wish to avoid more freckles. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Since most sunscreens do not last all day, it's wise to reapply at least once throughout the day. If you are spending intensive time outdoors, reapply more often.

2. Exfoliate your skin once to twice a week. When you exofliate, you are removing dead, sun-damaged skin cells on the surface of the skin. The newer cells underneath haven't had as much sun exposure and though they'll still have freckles, they should be slightly lighter.

3. Purchase a skin lightening cream or lotion. These creams contain a variety of different ingredients such as burberry extract, liquorice extract, mulberry extract and hydroquinone which have been shown to lighten dark spots on the skin.

4. Apply a vitamin C serum to your freckles. Vitamin C has been shown to be effective at lightening dark spots and brightening skin's overall complexion. It's recommended that you apply most serums daily.

5. Visit your dermatologist. With a prescription, you can get more intense bleaching creams which help to fade freckles with regular application.

6. Consider photofacials which use laser light to fade freckles. The light targets the pigment in the freckles, breaking them apart. The pigment is then reabsorbed into the body, resulting in dramatically lighter freckles.

7. Try some all-natural, home remedies for removing freckles. Lemon juice, honey, tomato juice, onions, buttermilk and sour milk have all been shown to lighten freckles. Apply to the freckles and let sit for a few minutes before rinsing off.

Tips & Warnings

• The sun's rays are most damaging when it is high in the sky. Avoid sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

• Be aware that hydroquinone is a bit controversial. It has been banned in some countries due to its possible carcinogenic qualities. There are conflicting viewpoints on it, but if you wish to steer clear of it, there are various lightening creams you can choose that do not contain it.