There are various ways you can get rid of freckles, many of them natural and without side effects. The most common is putting various types of skin whitening agents onto the skin directly in order to lighten the freckles. Other treatments may be harsher, and can include laser therapy and other invasive methods.

Freckles occur when skin is exposed to sunlight in amounts serious enough to alert the skin to produce melanin, the agent which causes skin to darken to protect if from sunlight. To avoid getting more freckles, always wear a sunscreen and avoid prolonged sun exposure. To get rid of freckles you already have, try one of several freckle lightening methods.

One of the safest and least expensive ways to get rid of freckles is to put lemon juice over the entire area and allow it to sit for at least fifteen minutes, although allowing it to sit overnight is sometimes recommended. Wash off and repeat these steps daily. You can also try rinsing your face in sour milk or buttermilk, or applying sour cream to the area and wiping it away without rinsing. These are the most natural ways to get rid of freckles, although they may not be fully effective in those with very dark areas.

More invasive treatments include laser treatments which lighten the skin, or the cryogenic freezing of freckles. Both of these methods must be completed by a licensed professional, but are often effective at lightening the freckled skin. Bleach-based skin whitening agents can also be purchased, but they are not recommended for long-term use because a risk of skin cancer does exist.

If your freckles are not overly dark and do not span a large surface area of the body, you may consider using makeup to camouflage them. While this does not get rid of freckles, it does make them less noticeable. To use this method, start with a concealer that is a shade lighter than your skin. Blend it in carefully to cover the freckles and then apply a foundation, pressed powder, or both in your natural skin color. This method is generally most effective on the face and neck area.

When using any type of skin lightening agent or laser treatments, be sure that you wear proper sun protection while outside and while riding in the car. Many freckle treatments can cause skin sensitivity to the sun, making the likelihood of sunburn higher for those who use them. Additionally, sun exposure may cause more freckles to appear, thus ruining your efforts in getting rid of them.