Freckles: Remedies, Causes, and More
Freckles are a natural variation of human skin. While they aren’t harmful, treatments do exist to lighten them.
Freckles are tan or light brown spots on your skin. They’re made of clusters of skin cells that contain the pigment melanin. Unlike moles, which are raised, freckles are flat. Freckles aren’t painful or harmful.
No one is born with freckles, even though they may be genetic. They’re triggered by sun exposure. If you have freckles and want to get rid of them, here are seven ways to consider.
Sunscreen won’t get rid of existing freckles, but it helps prevent new ones. You should wear sunscreen year-round, even when it’s cloudy.
The American Academy of Dermatology offers these tips:
- Sunscreen should have an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Apply sunscreen to bare skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Laser treatment uses pulses of focused, intense light to target damaged areas of skin. There are different types of lasers. According to a 2015 study, the 1064 Q-Switched Nd YAG laser is effective for treating freckles. Study results showed treatment with this laser lightened more than 50 percent of freckles in 62 percent of participants.
Laser treatment is generally safe. The risk of scarring is low. However, other side effects may occur, including:
- itching
- swelling
- redness
- crustiness
- peeling
- infection
- changes in skin color
If you have a history of oral herpes, you may need to take an antiviral medication before undergoing laser treatment. That’s because the laser can stimulate a flare-up of herpes around your mouth.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe other medications or creams before the procedure. They may also recommend avoiding certain medications or products before the procedure. Let your doctor know about any medications or creams you’re using.
It may take up to two weeks to recover from laser treatment. Multiple sessions are usually needed to achieve desired results.
Cryosurgery uses extreme cold in the form of liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells. Cryosurgery is generally safe, and it requires no anesthesia and little recovery time. Some potential side effects are hypopigmentation, bleeding, and blistering. Cryosurgery rarely causes scarring.
Fading cream, also called bleaching cream, is available both over the counter and by prescription. Many fading creams contain hydroquinone, an ingredient thought to suppress melanin production and lighten darkened areas of skin.
Topical hydroquinone cream may cause:
- inflammation
- dryness
- burning
- blistering
- skin discoloration
In 1982, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considered bleaching products that contained up to 2 percent hydroquinone as generally safe and effective. In 2006, new evidenceTrusted Source indicated hydroquinone may cause cancer in rats and result in skin darkening and disfiguration. This led the FDA to nominate hydroquinone for further study under the National Toxicology Program (NTP).
Retinoid cream is a vitamin A compound. It’s used to improve sun-damaged skin and lighten freckles. According to a 2014 reviewTrusted Source, retinoids may offer photoprotection by absorbing ultraviolet B radiation. This may help prevent new freckles from forming.
Retinoid creams are available with or without a prescription. Common side effects are:
- redness
- dryness
- skin irritation
- peeling
- sensitivity
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