Where Do Freckles Come From?
Most often freckles have a genetic component. If one of your parents has freckles you are more apt to have them as well.
The more a region of skin is exposed to the sun the higher the chances of developing freckles in that area. The most common areas of the body where freckles appear are the cheeks, nose, forehead, neck and throat, upper chest and arms. However, freckles can appear anywhere! People with blonde or red hair usually have freckles more often than people with brown or black hair. And, those with pale skin color have a higher predisposition to freckles than those with darker colored skin.
Freckles do not signal any particular health problem. The only time a health concern may be raised is when a more serious skin lesion resembles a freckle. If you notice any of your freckles acting strange, changing shapes, colors or developing erratic borders, it’s best to visit your health care provider or a dermatologist. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
In many situations freckles are considered “cute” and maybe even sexy. Nonetheless, some individuals with freckles would prefer to get rid of them for personal and/or aesthetic reasons. So, what’s the best way to get rid of freckles and to keep more from developing in the future?
Protecting Your Skin From Freckles
If you don’t already have freckles but members of your family do make sure that you are using a good quality sunscreen whenever in the sun. This simple step will not only lower your risk of developing freckles but will also substantially decrease your susceptibility to skin cancer (a much greater concern than freckles!). Use a sunscreen that provides adequate coverage for the length of time that you will be exposed to the sun’s rays.
Getting Rid of Freckles
If you already have freckles there are several commonly used methods to get rid of them. Here are a few:
Bleaching Creams - Like any other pigment problem on the skin (melasma, hyperpigmentation, birth marks, etc.) freckles too can be treated with bleaching agents. Some of these products should only be used by professionals, others are only available by prescription from your health care provider while still others can be used in the privacy of your home. Below you will find some excellent and safe bleaching products that you can easily purchase without a prescription and which can be used at your leisure.
Most of these bleaching creams contain ingredients such as hydroquinone and kojic acid. In most cases the product should be used routinely over several months in order to see a lightening of the freckles. Always read and follow the directions for best results.
Phytomer Whitening Night Cream can be applied at night before bed. It contains kojic acid designed to even out skin tone while you sleep. This product can be used on any skin type to banish freckles, age spots and other hyperpigmented areas of the skin.
Conditioning Gel and Conditioning Gel Plus by BioMedic can be used to lighten a variety of hyperpigmentation problems including freckles. These products contain hydroquinone and can be used on all skin types. It’s gentle enough for the sensitive skin of the face yet works well enough to dissipate extra melanin on the chest, hands and back.
If you prefer to use a skin lightener containing kojic acid try ProCyte’s Kojic Complex Gel formulated to diminish all forms of abnormal pigmentation including freckles. This gentle gel uses a wide range of alpha hydroxy acids in addition to the powerful kojic acid to even out skin tone and smooth away age spots.
La Roche-Posay Mela-D - Daily Skin Lightening Lotion is a wonderful skin bleaching agent. It contains 2% hydroquinone that inhibits future melanin production as well as lightening already darkened regions. Additionally, the lotion contains a sunscreen that will also lower the risk of developing more freckles.
Tretinoin - This treatment uses a form of vitamin A called tretinoin, also known as Retin-A. Diminishing freckles in this manner is very effective although may have more side effects than using some of the simple bleaching solutions listed above. Tretinoin has been approved by the FDA since 1971. Applications of tretinoin for a period of 6-8 weeks has shown to diminish the visible signs of freckles. Tretinoin is available by prescription and should not be used if pregnant or breast feeding.
Other forms of ridding the skin of freckles include laser treatment and cryosurgery. Both entail the use of a professional or a health care provider for treatment.
In conclusion, if you wish to lighten your freckles on your own, in the privacy and comfort of your home, consider trying some of the non-prescription bleaching agents noted above.
Article posted 10/02/2006.
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