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How Do I Choose the Best Freckle Treatment?

Kathleen Howard
Kathleen Howard

There are several different treatments used to minimize the appearance of freckles. Popular treatment options include skin bleaching agents, laser treatments, chemical peels, and cryosurgery. To choose the best freckle treatment, it is best to make a decision based on the severity of your freckles as well as your budget. Laser treatments are the most effective way to eliminate large patches of deeply freckled skin. Other treatment options might also be effective, depending on the abundance and color of your freckles.

Laser treatments eliminate freckles by removing melanin from the skin. The lasers used in these treatments are attracted to melanin, or color, in the skin. A benefit of laser treatment is that the lasers will not harm the surrounding skin. After several treatment sessions, your freckles will be significantly lighter or gone completely. Lasers are the most effective freckle treatment for people with large freckled areas or very dark spots.

One disadvantage of choosing laser treatments is the price. Most patients need several treatment sessions to achieve the desired results. With each session costing a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, this option can get expensive.

A close up of a freckle.
A close up of a freckle.

Topical skin lightening products can also be used to remove freckles. These products, which usually come in the form of a cream, contain retinol and other bleaching agents. Over time, applying a lightening cream might make your freckles appear less noticeable. It is important to realize that these products rarely eliminate dark freckles completely.

The main problem with these creams is that they will not just bleach your freckles. They will bleach any skin that they come into contact with. Still, topical lighteners are an effective and affordable option to consider.

Skin lightening agents can be used to remove freckles.
Skin lightening agents can be used to remove freckles.

Cryosurgery refers to freezing and removing tissue with liquid nitrogen. During cryosurgery, a surgeon will individually remove each unwanted freckle or mole. This freckle treatment is best for patients with a few raised or unsightly freckles. If you have freckles covering large areas of skin, cryosurgery is not a realistic option.

Chemical peels can also be used to lighten freckles. During a peel, chemicals will be applied directly to your skin to remove several surface layers. This removes flaws located on top layers of skin and encourages the production of new cells.

Chemical peels may be used to lighten freckles.
Chemical peels may be used to lighten freckles.

Depending on the color, size, and abundance of your freckles, you may need several peels before results begin to show. Even so, chemical peels are considered a mid-priced freckle treatment. These peels are less expensive than laser treatments and cryosurgery, but more expensive than most creams.

When choosing a freckle treatment, carefully consider all of your options. If your freckles and skin tone are both fairly light, a lightening cream might produce the results you want. Cryosurgery is the best treatment for removing a few large or raised freckles. Large areas of dark or dense freckles should be treated with chemical peels or laser treatments. If you cannot decide on a treatment, speak to a dermatologist or other specialist who will evaluate your skin type and help you determine the most beneficial option.

Discussion Comments

ddljohn

Has anyone here tried natural skin lightening treatments for freckles, like vitamin C creams and papaya soap?

I don't know why people reach for chemicals or medical procedures first without trying more natural methods. What is there to lose?

I know that many women use products with Vitamin C, like creams and serums to lighten dark spots on skin and make skin tone more even. Papaya soap is also said to have skin whitening properties and can be a good alternative to chemicals like hydroquinone. Hydroquinone, a common ingredient in skin bleaching products, is believed to increase the risk of cancer and it has terrible side effects like making skin thinner and discoloring skin permanently.

I think that a combination treatment of sun protection, natural skin lightening products and the use of foundation or concealer is the best way to fade and hide freckles.

serenesurface

I would not have cryosurgery done for freckles even if I had only a few freckles. There is a risk of scarring with cryosurgery. I know several people who had cryosurgery done for moles or warts and they all have scars. So this is not a good option for freckles, especially for freckles on the skin. I'd rather have freckles than scars.

fBoyle

I think that chemical peels work best for freckles. I tried skin lightening products but they are very harsh for skin or don't work at all. Of course, a few weeks is required for recovery after a chemical peel but it works much better than other treatments. Since the top layer of skin peels off, a fresh new skin comes up free of freckles.

Even after a chemical peel, the freckles will slowly return but it takes a while. This can also be delayed by staying out of the sun and using lotions with high SPF. I think it's worth it.

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    • A close up of a freckle.
      A close up of a freckle.
    • Skin lightening agents can be used to remove freckles.
      By: queen21
      Skin lightening agents can be used to remove freckles.
    • Chemical peels may be used to lighten freckles.
      By: belahoche
      Chemical peels may be used to lighten freckles.
    • Freckles are common among redheads.
      By: Mat Hayward
      Freckles are common among redheads.
    • Those hoping to remove raised freckles should discuss options with a dermatologist.
      By: Monkey Business
      Those hoping to remove raised freckles should discuss options with a dermatologist.
    • Topical skin lightening products can be used to remove freckles.
      By: Picture-Factory
      Topical skin lightening products can be used to remove freckles.
    • Laser treatments are often used to eliminate areas of hyperpigmentation on fair skin.
      By: spotmatikphoto
      Laser treatments are often used to eliminate areas of hyperpigmentation on fair skin.