What are freckles?
Freckles are small, dark spots that can appear on the skin, typically during childhood. They’re caused by an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Freckles are usually uniform in size and shape. They can be flat or raised, and their color may vary from light brown to black.
Causes of freckles
The causes of freckles aren’t fully understood, but they’re thought to result from exposure to sunlight and other forms of ultraviolet radiation (such as tanning beds). Some people are more likely to develop freckles in the sun, while others may never see the spots even if they spend hours in direct sunlight.
Freckles can also appear when skin is exposed to chemicals stimulating melanin production. This is called “chemical pigmentation” and is most familiar with phenols (such as resorcinol), naphthol’s (such as fluorescein), and benzene derivatives (such as o-toluidine).
Top 9 best methods about how to get rid of freckles?
1. Using Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is an excellent natural bleaching agent and can be used to lighten freckles if applied regularly for a few weeks.
How: Apply fresh lemon juice on the freckles before going to bed and leave it overnight or until dry. Repeat this process daily for a couple of weeks until you achieve desired results.
2. Baking Soda paste
Baking soda paste is an easy home remedy that can help remove dark spots such as skin tags and freckles from the skin.
How: Mix baking soda with a slight amount of water or milk (if you have dry or sensitive skin) to make a thick paste. Apply it on your face evenly, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results.
3. Using Olive Oil
Olive oil is a natural moisturizer that can help lighten dark spots over time. It’s also rich in antioxidants that can help protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays and other environmental factors.
How: Apply a thin layer of olive oil on the affected area and leave it on overnight. Do this daily until you see desired results.
4. Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another natural bleaching agent that can lighten freckles.
How: Mix one part apple cider vinegar with two parts cold water. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to the freckles. Leave it for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Repeat twice a day for a few weeks.
5. Using Potato
Potatoes are another natural ingredient that can lighten dark spots on the skin.
How: Grate one or two potatoes and extract the juice. Apply the liquid to the affected area and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water and repeat 2-3 times a week.
6. Using Papaya
Papaya is an effective natural skin lightening agent rich in enzymes known as papain, which can help break down melanin in your skin.
How: Take some fresh papaya pulp and apply it directly onto the freckles for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cool water or wipe off with damp cotton wool. Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results.
7. Lemon Juice mixed with yogurt
Lemon juice mixed with yogurt is another easy home remedy that can help remove dark spots such as skin tags and freckles from the skin.
How: Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one tablespoon of yogurt. Apply it on your face evenly, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results.
8. Fuller’s Earth
Fuller’s earth is a natural clay that can help lighten dark spots and blemishes on the skin.
How: Mix one tablespoon of fuller’s earth with enough water or rosewater to make a thick paste. Apply it on your face evenly, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results.
9. Using Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural skin lightening agent that can help fade dark spots and blemishes on the skin.
How: Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder with enough milk or water to make a thick paste. Apply it on your face evenly, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results.
10. Using Carrots
Carrots are another natural ingredient that can lighten dark spots on the skin.
How: Grate one or two carrots and extract the juice. Apply the liquid to the affected area and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cool water and repeat 2-3 times a week.
11. Sandalwood and Turmeric
Sandalwood and turmeric are two natural ingredients that can be used together to naturally lighten dark spots on the skin, such as freckles or age spots.
How: Mix one teaspoon of sandalwood powder with enough milk to make a thick paste. Apply it on your face evenly, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse off with cool water. Mix one tablespoon of turmeric powder with enough milk or rosewater and apply this mixture to your face. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse off with cool water. Repeat 2 times a week for best results.
12. Sugar Scrub massaged into the skin
Sugar scrubs gently remove dead skin cells and exfoliate the skin, revealing brighter skin with fewer dark spots.
How: Mix one tablespoon of sugar with enough olive oil to make a thick paste. Apply it on your face evenly, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse off with cool water. Repeat 2 times a week.
13. Using Oats
Oats are high in antioxidants that can help prevent damage caused by free radicals and environmental factors to the skin, including freckles. They also moisturize your skin naturally to help fade dark spots.
How: Mix one tablespoon of oatmeal (ground oats) with enough milk or rosewater to make a thick paste. Apply it on your face evenly, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. Repeat 2 times a week.
Read more:A Comprehensive Guide About Top 17 Best Types Of Coats With Description
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- If the skin is dry, Will, the remedies still work?
Yes, they will, but you may need to use a moisturizer after rinsing off the treatments.
- What if you don’t feel comfortable using lemon juice or tomatoes on your face?
Of course! You can try apple cider vinegar as a replacement for lemon juice, as it contains similar properties that aid in skin lightening. Tomato is also easily replaced with mashed papaya, which has natural enzymes that help exfoliate dead skin cells from the skin’s surface and naturally lighten dark spots freckles.
- Will these remedies work for men too?
Yes! Many of the treatments listed above are also used by men who have trouble with ingrown hairs from shaving. Shaving causes tiny nicks and cuts in the skin, leaving the area open to infection and leading to the development of dark spots.
