Best Ways To Get Rid Of Freckles

9 Ways to Get Rid of Freckles

It is unfortunate that freckles are often compared to measles, because they are certainly nothing that will make you sick. Unlike measles, freckles are perfectly natural, are often the product of family genes, and are quite common for redheads.

Freckles can be a sign of beauty, but are just as often considered undesirable. If you’re hoping to get rid of freckles, there are forms of prevention and treatment that can grant you this wish!

1. Stay out of the sun!

Sun exposure is one of the main causes of freckles, so try to limit the time you spend in direct sunlight. The sun is at its strongest between 10AM and 4PM, so plan your day accordingly. You can also help to limit that exposure by wearing sunblock (aim for an SPF rating of 30 or higher) and a wide brimmed hat.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to lighten the appearance of freckles and has many other beneficial effects for your body, so you really cannot go wrong with this method.

In addition to minimizing your sun exposure, try upping your intake of Vitamin C. This can be done through supplements or by increasing the amount of Vitamin C rich foods in your diet. If you are short on time, try combining various fruits and vegetables into a smoothie.

3. Face products

Foundation is a basic part of the make-up routine for most women. Its main purpose is to hide blemishes and inconsistencies, but it can also help to disguise freckles. Experiment with different types of concealer and foundation shades that will both hide the freckles and give you a natural looking skin tone. Applying a layer of powder also helps.

In addition to make-up based solutions, consumers also have a choice of creams that are designed to lighten facial imperfections, including freckles. Results vary, however, and experts suggest that this method is really only effective on freckles that have been created through sun exposure, rather than ones that have occurred naturally through a person’s genetic make-up.

Even in the best case scenario, the results obtained from creams are not permanent and may require fairly frequent reapplication.

4. Lemon juice

Among its other qualities, lemon juice contains bleaching properties but will not harm your skin. This makes it an effective choice for those wishing to eliminate freckles. You’ll get better results from using freshly squeezed lemon juice, but a store-bought mixture should also do the trick.

Dip a cotton ball or swab in the juice and apply to the appropriate areas of your face. Let the juice sit on your face for approximately 15 minutes and then rinse it off. You’ll want to repeat this process daily to get the best results.

5. Sour cream

Did you know that milk and milk products contain acid? Don’t worry, it is lactic acid and still perfectly safe to eat or drink. However, when applied to your face, it will peel off the top layer of skin and this helps to lighten freckles. Apply sour cream to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes; wash it off with warm water and repeat this once per day.

6. Honey

Nature’s nectar can also help to make your freckles less obvious. Apply a mixture of warm water and honey to your face and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse off and repeat this every day until you begin to see some fading in the color of your freckles.

7. Onion

Here is another food item you can consider as red onions can act as a natural exfoliate. Try rubbing a slice over freckled areas of your face or grind up the onion so that you can extract the juice; dip in a cotton swab and apply it your face. As with honey, make sure to thoroughly wash your face afterward.

8. Castor Oil

It tastes horrible, but Castor Oil is good for you. Surprisingly, it is also effective when used on the outside of your body. Try applying some to your face as it helps to fade freckles and even out skin tone. Unlike most of the methods we have mentioned so far, it needs to stay on the face for a good amount of time, so it is recommended for use overnight; wash your face thoroughly in the morning.

9. Professional treatment

Peeling off a layer of your skin seems like a radical solution, but it is actually a common practice for those wishing for their face to look fresh and radiant. Unlike what you might see in a horror film, this is a very safe and controlled practice that uses a chemical that kills a layer of skin tissue, which is then removed.

Taking off the outer layer of skin also helps to reduce the prominence of freckles, though you will need to periodically repeat the process.

If you have not had luck with the above treatments, you can try laser therapy. This method lightens the appearance of freckles and can also remove them entirely by burning the blood vessels just underneath them. While that sounds painful and dangerous, the discomfort is minimal and the risk limited.

Laser treatment can be quite costly and requires multiple appointments (usually 4-5), but if you are looking for a method that works relatively fast and has a proven track record, this is a good bet.

Another medical treatment for freckle removal, microdermabrasion, exfoliates the skin by removing the top layer. This is done by spraying a stream of tiny crystals on to your face, not unlike the principal of sandblasting (though much safer and certainly less painful!). Less invasive than chemical peels or plastic surgery, this method ideally leaves you with a clearer and more even skintone. Several treatments are required, however, and the results are not permanent.

When you are deciding whether you wish to get rid of freckles, remember that not everyone considers them to be a bad thing. This is particularly true for individuals with fair skin and red hair. Freckles are also perfectly natural and often a result of your family heritage. However, if you do decide to disguise or eliminate them, consider whether you wish to go for a temporary solution or a permanent fix. Good luck!