Freckles can appear naturally or due to the sun. They are not dangerous, but some people prefer to lighten or eliminate them altogether for a more even complexion. Here are some ways to naturally make them lighter, to remove them, or to prevent them from appearing.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Natural Lighteners
Step 1. Use lemon juice
It is a natural lightener that can be used to make freckles less noticeable and lighter until they disappear. This method works best on natural freckles rather than those that have appeared with sun exposure, because the latter tend to be darker and less uniform in shape.
- Buy fresh lemons, squeeze them and pour the juice into a bowl. You can also buy pre-squeezed juice.
- Wet the freckled area with lemon juice using a terracotta flake. Let it take effect for 10 minutes, then rinse your skin with cold water.
- Apply lemon juice every day to lighten freckles slowly.
Step 2. Try a milk based mask
This is another way to lighten freckles: apply the milk-based face mask and let it work on the skin. The lactic acid present in milk has an exfoliating function on the surface state of the skin, making the freckles lighter. This method works best with natural freckles rather than those caused by the sun.
- Spread 1/4 cup of sour cream on the freckled area and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing with cold water and drying.
- Rinse the skin with whole milk. Pour the milk into a bowl and use it to wash your face. Leave the skin soaked in milk for 10 minutes, then rinse it with cold water and pat it dry.
Step 3. Make a fruit-based exfoliant
Mix some fruit and let it dry on the skin to exfoliate, to make the freckles lighter. The fruit will stick to the skin and exfoliate when you remove it.
- Puree some strawberries and a kiwi in a bowl. Rub the mixture on your face, especially the freckled area. Let the fruit dry completely. It will take about 20 minutes. Then remove the puree and rinse your face with cold water.
- Instead of strawberries and kiwis, try using cucumbers and apricots.
Method 2 of 4: Treatments to Eliminate Freckles
Step 1. Use a lightening cream
In perfumery and pharmacies there are lightening creams based on different ingredients that are specially designed to eliminate freckles and dark spots from the skin. They are effective on both natural and sun-induced freckles. For best results, apply the cream every day.
- Look for a cream with licorice extract because it has been shown to lighten skin blemishes.
- Aloe vera is another popular ingredient in lightening creams. Helps to make the skin more hydrated and clearer without causing damage.
- Many creams contain chemicals that help lighten the skin but are also harmful, such as hydroquinone and oxybenzone. If you use a product containing such an ingredient, find out about any side effects and try the cream on an insensitive spot before spreading it on your face.
Step 2. Try microdermabrasion
This is a technique that uses a stream of small particles to remove the most superficial layer of the skin, lightening natural or sun-induced freckles. Microdermabrasion is generally not done in a single session, but over the course of several sessions.
Step 3. Do the chemical peel
Exfoliating the outermost layer of skin is very helpful in making freckles less visible, until the lighter ones disappear. Chemical peels are usually done on the face, but you can also use this method on your arms and hands.
- The chemical peeling involves three treatments of different intensity: a superficial peeling with alpha and beta hydroxy acids to remove the most superficial layer of skin; a medium intensity peel with trichloroacetic acid to penetrate deeper and remove more layers of skin; a deep peel with a high concentration of trichloroacetic acids or phenol to remove more layers of skin.
- After the chemical peel, the skin will need two to three days to recover from the treatment. Frequent use of this method is not recommended because it is very aggressive.
Step 4. Get a laser treatment
Lasers are used to burn the blood vessels underneath the freckles, making them less noticeable or completely eliminating them. This procedure is not expected to cause long-term harmful effects, however it can cause temporary ailments such as bruising, redness and swelling.
- Laser treatments usually take place over the course of about three 10 to 15 minute sessions.
- Before the treatment, a cooling spray is applied to the skin so that the heat from the laser does not cause pain to the patient.
Method 3 of 4: Change Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Protect yourself from the sun
Some people are born with freckles already, but many others see them appear following exposure to sunlight. During the winter they tend to disappear, but every summer they reappear and can get darker and darker if you don't take precautions to protect your skin from the sun.
- Use a sunscreen. Spread it on your face every two hours if you expose yourself to the sun; apply it more often if you dive into the water. Use a high SPF on the rest of your body as well, as freckles can appear anywhere.
- Wear a hat and other protective clothing. Sunscreen can protect the skin from the sun to a certain extent; using several layers of clothing is the most effective way to prevent freckles from appearing. In summer, use light long-sleeved trousers and shirts to avoid the heat and protect your skin at the same time.
Step 2. Fill up on Vitamin C
This nutrient is useful for lightening freckles, so try to supplement your diet with this type of vitamin. Citrus fruits, kiwis, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables are all foods rich in vitamin C.
- Start the day by filling up on vitamin C; a vegetable and fruit-based smoothie is enough. Blend one kiwi, one nocepesca, and one cup of raw spinach. Blend it all together with almond milk or another health food as a base for the milkshake.
- Alternatively, if you are unable to get enough vitamin C, you can choose to take supplements or multivitamins.
Method 4 of 4: Cosmetic Solutions
Step 1. Try a completely natural mineral foundation
Mineral foundations help hide freckles by blending them with the color of your complexion. Ask for advice in a specialized perfumery to find the shade that best suits your complexion.
- The shade of the foundation should be halfway between the light color of the skin and the darker one of the freckles.
- Apply the mineral foundation all over the face using a kabuki brush to achieve the typical natural and flawless effect of mineral makeup.
Step 2. Use a cream foundation
This type of foundation is great for those with dry skin. Choose a slightly lighter color than the freckles. Put it on with an applicator or a cotton ball, being careful to spread it evenly for a good result.
- Use a little powder on the foundation to set it in place so it lasts all day.
- Avoid the temptation to apply more than one layer of foundation. You would end up drawing attention to the areas you wanted to cover.
Advice
- Remember to get a lot of vitamin C, which is contained in many types of fruit and especially citrus fruits.
- Some people's freckles disappear completely during the winter and reappear in the summer, following exposure to the sun and / or sunburn. To avoid the reappearance of freckles, the best advice is to stay out of the sun (wear a hat!).
- Don't forget: many people consider freckles a virtue, not a flaw!
- Use lots of sunscreen! Otherwise the number of freckles could even increase!
