Freckles are light brown colored spots that are seen on the skin. They usually get darker upon exposure to sun. If you are exposed to sun for a long period of time, you will suffer with bright freckles. Freckles are more commonly seen in people with fair complexion and with a blonde or red colored hair. The problem of freckles reduces as the temperatures drop during the winter season. A great number of people have a wrong notion that freckles can be easily treated with laser surgery. But, it will not work well for all, and freckles will return upon exposure to sun. But to some people, laser freckle removal surgery gives a permanent solution. It is recommended to use natural remedies to get rid of freckles. Some of them are given below.

• As freckles become more obvious when exposed to sun, it is recommended to keep away from sun. Apply a sunscreen lotion whenever you go out in sun.

• Lemon juice works well for many skin pigmentation problems. It works well for freckles too. Apply lemon juice and wash it off after a period of fifteen minutes. You can even apply it at night and wash it off in the morning. As lemon peels off the top layer of the skin it increases the sensitivity to the sun. Hence, it is a must to apply the sunscreen lotion whenever you go out in sun.

• Application of sour cream also helps to get rid of freckles. But do not wash off the cream; just wipe it off with a soft cloth or a tissue paper. The acid content of the sour creams works similar to lemon juice.

• Use of fruit and vegetable masks is another best option to get rid of freckles. Fruits and vegetables are rich in minerals and vitamins that give bright look to the skin. They not only help to get rid of the freckles but also enrich the natural health of the skin.

• Other simple homemade creams that help to get rid of freckles include onion juice, cucumber juice, parsley juice and fenugreek oil, as in the case of lemon these too increase sensitivity to sun. Therefore, never forget to apply sunscreen lotion whenever you go out in sun.

All the above natural treatments have to be applied periodically as they only show a temporary effect. If your skin does not respond to the above treatments, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist. They recommend the use of bleaching creams and chemical peels. Bleach helps to lighten the freckles by reducing the melanin content of the skin. Chemical peels like lemon juice work by peeling of the top layers of the skin and get rid of freckles temporarily, but the use of chemical peels demands greater healing time.

Freezing of freckles is another option recommended by most of the dermatologists. In this case the liquid nitrogen used during the treatment breaks open the skin, and allows the freckles to puff and is removed.

Creams containing retinoids also work for some people. Any of the above chemical treatments have to be used under the guidance of a dermatologist, and should be discontinued if any allergic reactions are observed.

Jason Ladock

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