How to Treat Freckles

Freckles are among the many signs of photo aging. Photo aging occurs when excessive sun exposure speeds the skin's natural aging process. Sunlight also causes freckles already present to become darker. Dark skin that appears during pregnancy or while on birth control pills is called melasma, or the mask of pregnancy. Sun exposure makes these patches and spots even darker. Sun exposure is also powerful enough to change certain skin cells into dangerous skin cancers, leading physicians to recommend protective sunscreen and clothing. These actions can also help slow the appearance of both freckles and age spots. People with the fairest skin often do not produce enough melanin, and so freckles are present after puberty and into adulthood.

Conventional treatments for freckles include cosmetic cover-ups and bleaching creams, neither of which have garnered satisfactory results. Heavy cosmetics need frequent touchups, and are not a good fit for today's active lifestyles. Bleaching agents attempt to fade the freckles to a color approximating that of the surrounding skin. However, they can sometimes lighten or darken the skin surrounding the freckles, calling even more attention to the spots. Occassionally, bleaching agents cause rashes or chemical burns. Some people have had success using alpha hydroxy acids on a regular basis, combined with sun avoidance and the use of sunblock. Some dermatologists recommend prescription-strength retinoids for the treatment of freckles.

Having any laser treatment is a serious thing. Lasers are highly delicate devices which require experience to operate. While freckles are a highly treatable condition with lasers, it's very important that any brown spotting be looked at by a board-certified dermatologist first to determine if they may be skin cancer. If a dermatologist determines them to be merely freckles, then a laser surgeon may remove them.

Although it is not medically necessary to treat freckles, patients often seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. Potential treatments include topical bleaching creams, topical retinoids, chemical peels, liquid nitrogen, and laser or pulsed light therapy. Although freckles themselves are harmless, it is important to distinguish between freckles and a type of skin cancer called melanoma. If you have freckles, you have a higher risk of melanoma. Also, if your freckles are growing or changing, it is important see your physician for a skin check.

Bleaching Creams - The use of hydroquinone and kojic acid are one of the beneficial treatment for freckles. They may help in lightning freckles if they are applied consistently over a period of months. Cryosurgery: A light freeze with liquid nitrogen can be used to treat freckles. Chemical Peels: Chemical peels are used to remove age spots, freckles, discoloration, wrinkles and fine lines. They generally help to make the skin smooth and firm and also help in curing freckles gradually.

The most effective freckle removal method is freckle laser removal. There are a number of available laser treatments that are safe. A laser projects an intense light on the area that is affected, causing the light to be absorbed by the oxyhemoglobin and melanin so that the darker cells are destroyed and the healthy cells are left in tact. Your will need to protect your eyes from the intense light by wearing goggles. The light is directed using a very thin piece of equipment.