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How Do I Fade Freckles?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

Many people elect to fade freckles using chemical peels and procedures performed by a physician. To fade freckles at home in a natural and safe manner, try mixing some simple ingredients together and applying them directly to your skin. A safe alternative to bleaching unwanted freckles would be to apply fresh squeezed lemon juice directly onto the skin. An important tip to remember in your effort to fade freckles is to stay out of direct sunlight whenever possible. The sun's rays are not only damaging to your skin, they can cause more freckling and make those you already have appear darker and more pronounced.

Various fruits and vegetables can be pureed into a formula that can be applied to your skin and used as home remedies for freckles. Cut a lemon and cucumber into small pieces. If you don't mind the tears, chop a small onion as well. Now blend the lemon and cucumber slices into a blender or food processor until the consistency is slightly grainy.

Dip a dampened washcloth into the mixture and apply it to your freckled skin. Additionally, Fresh avocado or peaches also make a wonderful peel for fading freckles. To avoid irritation, do not rub your skin harshly.

A boy with freckles.
A boy with freckles.

Another homemade facial mask to fade freckles can be made by mixing one cup of creamy style yogurt with one tablespoon of honey. You may also add a drop or two of lemon juice concentrate into the mixture. For best results, leave the mask on for up to one hour. While this method is not a sure fire way to rid yourself of unwanted freckles, it should facilitate fading.

Avocados can be mashed and applied to remove facial freckles.
Avocados can be mashed and applied to remove facial freckles.

Your dermatologist may prescribe certain creams or lotions that can help fade freckles. In addition, different types of serums are available on the market without prescription and may help fade freckles over time. Creams containing vitamin A and alpha-hydroxy acid are a good choice. As always, ask a doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns.

If you're determined to rid yourself of freckles permanently, do so under the supervision of a dermatologist. If you have an excessive amount of freckles that you want to eradicate, there are procedures that your doctor can perform to accomplish this. A laser procedure for safe removal of freckles is fairly common and relatively safe. Before doing so, your doctor will give you a medical evaluation and determine if this method is right for you. You should also discuss the risk of complications with your dermatologist, as well as any skin sensitivities or allergies you have.

Discussion Comments

turquoise

@burcinc-- I don't think chemical peels can be done at home, and I wouldn't recommend them to fade freckles either.

You have to get a chemical peel routinely to keep your face freckle free. I think they're too expensive to make that feasible and getting chemical peels often will surely damage your skin.

The other issue is that some of the chemicals used in these peels and whitening products backfire and cause more freckles and blemishes in the long term. They usually increase sensitivity to sunlight, which is the cause of freckles in the first place.

Instead, use facial creams or serums with vitamin C. Vitamin C doesn't have side effects and will fade freckles.

burcinc

I don't need to do anything other than stay out of the sun and exfoliate my face regularly with an exfoliating face wash to fade my freckles. But I'm going to keep these recommendations in mind in case I need them.

By the way, has anyone used do-it-yourself chemical peel sets sold in stores? Does it work?

burcidi

Tomato puree is a great, natural way to fade freckles. I puree tomatoes, apply it on my face and leave it on for ten-fifteen minutes before washing it off.

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    • A boy with freckles.
      By: soupstock
      A boy with freckles.
    • Avocados can be mashed and applied to remove facial freckles.
      By: gdvcom
      Avocados can be mashed and applied to remove facial freckles.
    • Using lemon juice is cheaper than most other means of lightening freckles.
      By: queen21
      Using lemon juice is cheaper than most other means of lightening freckles.