How to Remove Skin Freckles and Dark Spots

There is nothing quite like a day of fun in the sun. For some people, time spent out in the rays becomes evident with the appearance of freckles and dark spots. These melanin buildups are rarely harmful, though some people consider them unsightly. Fortunately, there are many ways these dark spots can be lightened. Most of these ways involve items readily found in the home.

Instructions

1. Use lemons. The natural acidity in lemon juice gives it a bleaching quality that can lighten freckles and dark spots on the skin. Simply squeeze fresh lemon juice and apply to the skin with the fingertips or with a cotton pad. Adding a small amount of sugar can give the juice an exfoliating quality that will slough off dead skin cells during the process. Continue this treatment nightly until the spots fade.

2. Don't throw out the milk when it goes bad. The lactic acid that builds up in sour milk acts as a natural exfoliant. Think of it as a natural, low-grade chemical peel. Wash the affected area with sour milk. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

3. Try a sour cream mask. Much like sour milk, sour cream contains high levels of lactic acid. Apply sour cream liberally to the affected area. After 5 to 10 minutes, remove the sour cream with a soft tissue or cotton pads. Apply a gentle moisturizer to the treated area.

4. Use a fruit mask regularly to remove freckles or dark spots in the facial area. Popular fruits include strawberries, citrus fruits and red currants. Cucumber can also be effective. Simply mash the fruit into a paste and add a tablespoon of honey. Apply to the affected area and rinse with warm water.

5. Consult a licensed aesthetician or dermatologist. Heavily affected areas can be treated with chemical peels, mineral peels or laser removal. Laser treatments should always be performed by a licensed physician, so be sure to check out credentials if consulting a medical spa.

Tips & Warnings

• Any treatment performed on dark spots or freckles can easily return with the right amount of sun exposure. It is important to use an effective sunscreen on the skin to keep the spots from accumulating once again.

References

• Leon's Beauty Tips and Secrets
• No Freckles
• Doctor's Lounge