How to Get Rid of Freckles

Freckles are red or light brown small spots, it can be mistaken for moles and other skin growths. Freckles are due to an increase in the amount of dark pigment called melanin and are not due to an increase in the total number of pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. What is melanin? It is what gives skin its pigmentation. Therefore, the concentration of cells with melanin will produce dark spots, freckles, not just on the face, but can be found all over the body. Freckles are particularly common in children, but often the onset of puberty causes the body to begin to produce more melanin.

What causes freckles?

Freckles occur on the skin of people who genetically have the presence of the dominant melanocortin-1 receptor MC1R gene variant. This gene makes the skin produce more melanin when prolonged exposure to sunlight. Melanin is pigment found in our bodies that produce skin, hair and eye color. For people who are prone to freckles the exposure to the UV radiation from the sun causes the cells that create melanin, the melanocytes, to activate. These cells begin to produce more melanin causing dark spots on the skin or darkening already existing freckles. This happens in all people as a way to protect our skin from the effects of the sun. That is also the reason why we tan with exposure to UV radiation. Freckles tend to fade in the winter months where the UV radiation from the sun is lower and less likely to cause the melanocytes to activate.

How to Get Rid of Freckles

The following remedies can help you to get rid of freckles easily.
1. Laser therapy is one of the most popular modern technique to remove freckles. This therapy though effective, often leads to some skin irritation due to drying of skin and some bruising.

2. Apply some sour cream to your face, and then allow it to dry for about 10 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Sour cream contains lactic acids that help to remove freckles on the skin.

3. Soak a cotton ball in fresh papaya juice and dab it on your skin to fade freckles naturally. Follow this remedy for about 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times a day. Papaya contains an enzyme called Papain that helps cure freckles and blemishes.

4. Apply a mixture of honey and lemon juice on the face. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water. The lemon juice also acts as a mild bleaching agent to help gets rid of freckles and brown spots.

5. Mix a pinch of baking soda with two or three drops of castor oil, then apply this mixture to the freckled skin. About 20 minutes then wash it off.

6. Slice the red onion into thick pieces and rub a slice gently on your freckled skin region 2-3 times a day to fade freckles and brown age spots.

7. Take equal amounts of turmeric and sesame seeds and grind them together along with a little water to make a paste. Apply the mixture to your skin, after 15-20 minutes wash it off.

8. Make some fresh papaya juice and apply it on the affected skin area using clean cotton to gently massage it on the skin. After 10-15 minutes wash it off. It will help you to get rid of freckles fast. You should use papaya juice every day for reducing freckles.

9. Bleaching creams is another common method in removing freckles. This uses kojic acid and hydroquinone to reduce freckles. Regular use of bleaching creams may aid in lessening the freckles.