2.4K

Is it possible to get rid of freckles? Like any other skin blemishes, freckle spots can be removed. Dark spots on lips or upper lips, face, under eyes and even on arms can be removed by lightening or fading them. Here’s how to get rid of freckles fast, overnight and permanently. These methods can be used for blemishes on face, back, shoulders, skin, nose, cheeks, legs etc.

A freckle is a small patch of light brown color on the skin, often becoming more pronounced through exposure to the sun. While they usually appear on the face, they can also be found on any skin exposed to the Sun, such as the neck and shoulders.

Freckles are natural and not harmful. Even though some people with freckles don’t like them and want to get rid of them, they’re certainly not a sign of any health problems. There are many natural home remedies to get rid of and fade freckles at home. Some of these include bleaching, use of peroxide among others. This article will explore safe and foolproof ways of removing freckles fast.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU:

• How to get rid of dark lips
• How to lighten skin fast and permanently

Is It Possible to Get Rid of Freckles?

While everyone’s skin is different, it is possible to remove freckles. While some methods won’t entirely get rid of freckles on lips, back, legs and arms, they very well help to fade them away. Fading blemishes on skin can help you feel less uncomfortable about their visibility.

Freckles you were born with

Some people are born with freckles and they may seek to get rid of them. Freckles however, manifest themselves mostly on exposure to sunlight and they may fade during the winter, but they come back darker every summer if you don’t take precautions to keep the sun’s rays off of your skin. This can be done by making use of sunscreen to avoid direct exposure to the sun’s UV rays.

Freckles after tanning

People who regularly use tanning beds are twice as prone to freckles and age spots. Freckles caused by tanning however fade a few hours after the tanning session.

Caution should however be taken while tanning if you already have freckles. This is because tanning will always make freckles get worse. Basking in the sun is really what makes freckles become worse.

Going in the sun a lot during the period when you’re getting treated for freckles with laser also makes it much more difficult for the treatment to work.

Removal of really dark freckles

It is possible to get rid of dark freckles from home. Really dark freckles can easily be removed using a lemon juice concentrate. Consistent use of the lemon juice will lighten the appearance of the dark freckles until they are finally rid of.

Red freckles

Red freckles on face may be caused by:

• Flare-ups or pimples on the face
• Infected pore or furuncle
• Seborrheic keratosis, which appear like wart like growths
• Allergies from facial products including soaps and makeup
• Sun spots
• Melanoma, which is rare type of skin cancer

You can avoid curb these causes for red freckles on your face by doing the following:

• Always wearing sun screen when working under the sun and using a suitable sun hat.
• Treat flare-ups with non-toxic products, but only products meant for acne.
• Identifying your skin type and select facial products and makeup suitable for your skin type.
• When you see an abnormal red freckle on face, see a dermatologist instead of trying to treat at home.

Pregnancy freckles

When you get pregnant, you may notice a lot of changes on your akin and its appearance. Some women get an unbelievably beautiful glow while others receive the pregnancy mask, which is a nice way to say that your skin gets ‘a whole new darker and sometimes unflattering layer’.

Some ladies also get freckles and others who already had freckles notice that they get darker. While nothing can be done to stop them at this stage, since it is caused by pregnancy hormones, some home remedies can be used to reduce their appearance.

Getting rid of new freckles and spots

Individuals with no history of freckles may find that they are suddenly experiencing freckles on their once freckle-free skins.

Since we cannot change our own genetic component of freckling, our main prevention measures are aimed at sun avoidance and sun-protection, including

Use of sunscreens with SPF (sun protection factor) 30, use of sun-protective clothing (shirts, long sleeves, long pants), avoidance of the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and seeking shade and staying indoors.

Ideally, freckle prevention is more effective than later trying to remove freckles that have already developed. Freckle-reduction treatments are more difficult and not always satisfactory.

Genetic freckles

Freckles are mostly caused by genetic factors. For instance, it is generally known that people with red hair are more prone to having freckles.

Because most cases of freckles and red hair are caused by the same gene — MC1R. The MC1R protein sits on the outside of melanocytes where part of its job is to make sure that there is a certain balance of pigments in hair and skin.

There are two main pigments in people. The most common one is eumelanin. It is responsible for most hair colors other than red. The other pigment, pheomelanin, is rarer. It is responsible for red hair and the orange-ish red look of many freckles.

When MC1R is working, it turns any pheomelanin that gets made into eumelanin. So when MCIR is broken, you get a buildup of pheomelanin. And red hair. So people with broken MC1R genes have red hair.

These genetic freckles can be removed using home treatments and also medical treatments such as laser surgery.

Large freckles

Large freckles can be treated using lemon juice concentrate and also sour cream. The trick is to always be consistent. Consistency will aid in the gradual decrease of the appearance of the freckles till they disappear altogether.

How to Get Rid of Freckles Fast

Can you get rid of freckles fast? There are countless ways of getting rid of freckles. But if you want to get rid of them fast, you may want to consider the following methods.

1. Hide freckle spots with makeup

Try natural mineral foundation. Mineral foundation helps conceal and blend freckles with your natural skin tone. Consult a mineral makeup consultant to determine which foundation color works best for your particular complexion.

1. Choose a foundation in between your lighter color and the color of your freckles.
2. Apply the mineral foundation all over with a quality make up brush to get the natural, flawless look mineral makeup is known for.
3. Use a cream foundation which is great for people with dry skin.
4. Choose a color slightly lighter than the color of your freckles.
5. Apply the foundation with a cotton ball or quality makeup applicator, and make sure to blend it well for best results.
6. Apply a small amount of powder over the foundation helps it set and stay in place all day.
7. Avoid the temptation to apply more than one layer of foundation. You may end up drawing extra attention to the areas you’d like to cover.

This method is fast and has no side effects. It is however, a temporary means of getting rid of your freckles.

2. Laser freckle removal surgery

Laser treatments for skin blemishes is one of the fastest options. First, before having any laser freckle removal performed, have your dermatologist determine if any of your spots are precancerous or cancerous.

Unusual spots may indicate rare but serious disorders as well as skin cancer, so check with a dermatologist first. If your dermatologist determines the spots to be freckles and not harmful, laser treatment can proceed.

The best thing about freckles is that they are highly treatable with lasers. The treatment usually ends with a highly satisfactory result, and works fast.

A laser is passed over the area to be treated and the melanin pigment which makes up the freckles is removed by the laser light. Green laser light is particularly effective on brown spots and freckles.

3. Bleaching or lightening skin to get rid of freckles in a week

Bleaching agents will attempt to fade the color of the surrounding skin. Over-the-counter skin whitening creams containing hydroquinone and oxybenzone are very effective but they are also very likely to cause damage to the skin.

Natural ingredients such as bearberry, aloe, mulberry, kojic acid, licorice extract and other herbs are soothing to the skin and lighten the freckles without danger. Look at the ingredients when you buy and make sure that there are no precautions listed. And use the creams as directed.

Since skin turnover takes several weeks, there is no way to get rid of freckles overnight with such creams. But there are many quick, natural and safe methods to eliminate those pesky spots from your nose.

If you develop any reaction to these natural remedies, stop the treatment immediately and consult your doctor. While natural ingredients generally are safe, some people can be sensitive to them. If you’re allergic to citrus or kiwis or papayas, don’t put them on your skin. Don’t be in a rush to eliminate those harmless spots quickly. Protect your skin and be safe.

4. Exfoliation to remove light freckles fast

Regular use of exfoliating products help to break down and remove pigmented cells to lessen the appearance of freckles. Chemical exfoliants are all excellent to use for fading freckles.

Note however that using exfoliants regularly have been shown to increase sun sensitivity by 45 percent. So if you know you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, discontinue use a few days prior.

How to Get Rid of Freckles on Face, Cheeks and Under Eyes

Facial skin is quite sensitive. Trying to get rid of freckles under eyes with harsh methods can cause damage to this skin.  The slightest exposure to excess UV rays of the sun could cause a myriad of diseases and condition, freckles included.

Freckles are a hereditary trait caused by an uneven distribution of skin pigmentation. A freckle occurs when there is a large concentration of the melanin pigment underneath one spot on your skin.

Most natural freckles are small and essentially harmless. They tend to show up on areas exposed to sunlight, like your face, cheeks and skin under eyes. These are probably the type you’re longing for. They also range in color and may be tan, brown, black, yellow, or red.

Sometimes freckles form as the result of sunburn. These are larger and often have irregular borders. While regular freckles usually fade after sunlight exposure decreases, sunburn freckles stay put.

Freckles will therefore appear in areas where sun exposure is more concentrated. These areas may include the whole face, the cheeks and under the eyes where most of the sun’s rays bounce off more often.

These are removed by using a dairy face mask, for example a sour milk or buttermilk mask, using aloe vera juice on the spots. Lemon juice concentrate, as discussed above, is also a very effective way of getting rid of the freckles on face, under eyes and cheeks.

How to Get Rid of Freckles Overnight

If you are looking for a solution to fade freckles fast, well, guess what, there is no solution on how to fade freckles overnight. You have to spend weeks and even months to achieve a freckle free skin. It all depends on the method you use to fade your freckles.

Using laser freckle removal has proved to take the shortest period of all freckle treatments only if you can use the best laser treatment that will burn the freckles and have them flaking off within a week or so. However, this comes as a high cost depending on where you live.

Use makeup to conceal freckles on face

Using makeup is the fastest way of getting rid of freckles. Using quality make up in a shade that is compatible with your skin tone will help to cover them up. This method is only a temporal one however, and if you seek a permanent solution, you might want to consider bleaching or having the freckles removed using laser surgery.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is a more permanent and also quite fast method of getting rid of freckles. A laser is passed over the area to be treated and the melanin pigment which makes up the freckles is removed by the laser light. Green laser light is particularly effective on brown spots and freckles.

The reason green light works so well at removing brown spots is because melanin pigment is designed to block short wavelengths of light, namely ultraviolet light which is shorter than any visible color of light.

How to get rid of freckles permanently

How can you get permanent results? Both skin lightening and laser surgery treatments can help remove freckles forever or for good. Microdermabrasion is also a recommended method for results that are permanent. We’ve discussed each in detail below.

a) Laser freckle removal surgery treatment

First and foremost, ensure that you have your dermatologist determine if any of your spots are precancerous or cancerous. Unusual spots may indicate rare but serious disorders as well as skin cancer, so check with a dermatologist first. If your dermatologist determines the spots to be freckles and not harmful, laser treatment can proceed.

The best thing about freckles is that they are highly treatable with lasers. The treatment usually ends with a highly satisfactory result.

A laser is passed over the area to be treated and the melanin pigment which makes up the freckles is removed by the laser light. Green laser light is particularly effective on brown spots and freckles.

b) Skin lightening to fade freckles for good

Lightening agents and creams are a common way to get rid of freckles. These agents usually contain hydroquinone, a chemical that fades skin color, and are available over-the-counter or in stronger prescription form.

A lightening skin cream, applied directly to freckles, can get rid of dark spots and freckles by slowing the production of melanin and fading their color to that of the rest of your skin. Be careful, though: over-application or misuse of bleaching agents can cause serious skin irritation and damage.

c) Microdermabrasion freckle removal

This gentle skin exfoliator is the safest, easiest solution to lightening your freckles. A deep exfoliation can remove your deadened surface skin and make your freckles slowly fade away. You should keep in mind that a long series of microdermabrasion treatments are necessary to see visible lightening of your freckles.

How to Get Rid of Freckles Naturally at Home

Home remedies for freckle removal can be many. But as cautioned above, avoid trying some harsh natural ingredients on your face. Especially on the skin under eyes. Try the home remedies for freckles below to get rid of the dark spots fast and naturally.

Cranberry or strawberry paste

Regular use of strawberries and cranberries can naturally eliminate freckles due to the citric acid contained in the fruit, says bestincostmetics.com.

1. Mash cranberries or strawberries in a bowl.
2. Rub the mixture onto your face.
3. Leave the paste on your face until it is thoroughly dry, then rinse with cold water.

Lemon juice and boric acid remedy

This mixture is a potent solution that helps get rid of freckles, according to many natural enthusiasts. Test it on a small patch of skin before applying to your entire face to see if your skin is too sensitive to tolerate the boric acid in this mixture.

1. To mix, dissolve 1 tsp. boric acid into 1 cup hot water.
2. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the boric acid and add ½ tsp. glycerin and 2 tbsp. rose water.
3. Mix thoroughly.
4. Dab the lotion onto a cotton pad before applying to the areas that need freckles removed.

This lotion can also be rubbed on the neck and shoulders to bleach the skin to a lighter shade.

Sour milk

Ultimatecosmetics.com reports that the natural lactic acid in sour milk provides a gentle peeling effect on the skin, without any of the irritating or drying effects of many bleaching solutions. Use sour milk and gently bathe your face in it to help get rid of dark spots and freckles naturally.

Parsley juice

According to SuperFood Profiles, “Parsley is well known for its skin lightening properties that can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and discolored skin on your face.”

1. Mix natural parsley juice with equal parts lemon juice, orange juice and red current juice.
2. Cover your skin with the liquid as if you were applying moisturizer and let it dry.
3. Apply your daily moisturizer over top. The citric acid in the juices helps to get rid of freckles naturally and fast.

Honey home remedy for freckles on lips, face

Honey is excellent for fading freckles. It contains enzymes that help lighten skin pigmentation. Plus, being a natural humectant, it is great for moisturizing your skin.

1. Mix honey and water to make a consistent solution.
2. Heat it slightly in a microwave.
3. Apply it on the freckles on lips or face
4. Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
5. Rinse the area thoroughly with warm water. Do this daily for a several weeks.

You can also make an herbal mask by mixing a little wheat germ with warm honey. Apply this mask and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse the area with warm water and then wash it again with cold water. Repeat two to three times a week for a couple of months. This is one of the most effective home remedies for freckles.

Another option is to make a mixture of honey and yogurt, and apply it on the freckles for 30 minutes daily until they fade away.

Buttermilk

The bleaching property of buttermilk can also help lighten and fade freckles fast. In addition, it will make your skin smooth and supple.

1. Apply buttermilk over the freckles.
2. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
4. Repeat twice daily for several weeks.

Another option is to make a thick paste of powdered oatmeal and buttermilk. Apply this paste on the affected area, leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then wash it off with cold water. Do this once daily until you get positive results.

Alternatively, mix one tablespoon of buttermilk with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply it on your skin and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off.

Castor oil natural freckle treatment

Castor oil is another natural remedy to treat freckles at home. It will give you an even skin tone and help freckles fade away.

1. Before going to bed, apply castor oil on the affected skin.
2. The next morning, wipe it off with a soft tissue.
3. Rinse the skin with lukewarm water.

Continue this remedy daily until you get rid of the freckles. For best results, opt for pure, cold-pressed castor oil which is tasteless and odorless. Alternatively, you can use vitamin E oil or olive oil to reduce blemishes and freckles.

Jojoba oil for dark spots removal

Jojoba oil has properties that lighten the color of the skin much like bleaching agents do.

1. Combine two teaspoons jojoba oil with ½ teaspoon olive oil.
2. Rub the oil mixture over the freckles using the fingertip of your index finger.
3. Leave on for 15 minutes.
4. Wipe the oil mixture from the skin using a soft and clean cloth.
5. Then wash the skin with clean water.

How to Get Rid of Sun Freckles or Sun Spots from Sun Damage

Sun spots or sun freckles appear as small dark or dark brown patches on the face. This type of freckles is caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight. They occur mostly during the winter season. Sunburn also happens a lot in the summer and is worse in aging people. Here’s how to get rid of sun freckles at home.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) contains natural alpha hydroxyl acids, which help in lightening sun and age spots. Lemon juice contains citric acid which is known to lighten darkened areas of the skin.

Mix about 1/2 teaspoon of ACV and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Every night saturate a cotton ball with this mixture. Start from forehead and work down to apply evenly all over your face and other affected areas.

You will experience a little redness or fell some stinging at first, which is normal (just like you would experience with a toner). If you have a sensitive skin, or it feels too strong dilute the mixture with a little water

Green Tea bag

Green tea is a rich source of anti-oxidants, which can help in healing skin sun damage. Soak a green tea bag in boiling water for some time, squeeze the tea bag onto a cotton ball and rub the damp ball over the sunspots skin two times a day.

Onion

Slice a red onion and rub it over the sunspots. The acid in the onion helps to reduce sunspots effectively.

What is the Best Way of Getting Rid of Freckles?

Having gone over the methods of getting rid of freckles, I would say that laser freckle removal surgery is the best way of getting rid of freckles. This is because it is permanent method of doing it.

Moreover, the patient gets faster results unlike other methods where one has to wait days to see a difference.

Sources and References

1. Freckles Patient’s Guide: Laser Freckle Removal
2. The American Pregnancy Association: Skin Changes During Pregnancy
3. Medicinenet: Freckles causes, treatment
4. Illuminatural 6i: The Cause of Freckles and the Best Skin Lightening Cream to Remove Them
5. Howstuff Works Health: Does lemon juice really get rid of freckles?