1. What are freckles?
Freckles are a disorder of pigmentation on the skin, specifically in areas exposed to the sun such as: face, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, ... with small, dark brown spots. These brown spots cause the skin to look mottled, and uneven in color.
This is a benign pigmentary disorder that is not usually contagious and affects people's health. But leaving it for a long time on the skin causes loss of aesthetics, especially for women.
2. Signs to recognize freckles
Signs of freckles include:
- Small brown or light brown spots appear on the skin. There are a few cases where freckles appear dark yellow or red
- Freckle size from one to several mm
- Freckles are often scattered or concentrated. The number of spotting is relatively diverse and often heterogeneous
- Freckles often appear in areas of open skin and high frequency of sun exposure such as the face, shoulders, neck, hands and back.
- The color of freckles is darker after exposure to the sun
3. Causes of freckles
The cause of freckles is genetic or due to the external environment, typically sunlight.
- UV-B rays: Because of the impact of UV-B rays in sunlight, skin cells produce more melanin to protect the skin from damage. So freckles appear more easily.
- Genetics: Heredity is also one of the leading causes of the formation and development of freckles based on the type of melanin their body produces. The body can produce two types of melanin on its own: pheomelanin and eumelanin. Eumelanin protects the skin from UV rays from the sun, while pheomelanin does not.
People with light skin and eyes usually produce mainly pheomelanin and are more likely to have freckles. However, this genetic factor is not the absolute deciding factor and there is nothing to worry about if you know how to protect your skin thoroughly from the sun.
4. Distinguish melasma and freckles
Melasma and freckles have similar appearances. Many sufferers will often not be able to distinguish exactly whether they are melasma or freckles.
Below is a table to distinguish melasma and freckles to help you easily distinguish from which to choose the right product for treatment.
Freckles |
Melasma |
|
Shape |
Freckles are small nodules, only 1 to 5mm in size. They can be located individually or linked in arrays but are not equal. When out in the sun, freckles tend to be darker. |
Melasma has two shapes: melasma is spot melasma and melasma is plaque. Spotted melasma will usually be as big as a matchstick and appear on both cheeks in nodules. And melasma often spreads widely, sometimes covering the whole face. |
Colour |
There are colors such as dark brown, red, gray, black, light brown, ... and it depends on each skin type, the color will be different. |
Yellow, bright yellow |
Causes |
Freckles are mainly caused by genetics. Or due to prolonged exposure to the sun or the use of hormone treatments, freckles will appear. |
People with melasma are often people suffering from different causes such as: pigmentation disorders, chronic gynecological diseases, hormonal changes, diet or environmental influences. One very common cause is the overuse of cosmetics. |
Age |
Freckles can appear at any age, even during puberty |
Appears mainly in women after the age of 30, especially in women after giving birth or in the perimenopause stage. Usually occurs during puberty |
Distribution |
Located on the surface of the skin, in addition to appearing on the face, it is also seen in other locations such as the neck, arms, chest ... |
Located deep under the skin epidermis, mainly appearing on the facial skin |
Subject |
People with fair skin are more likely to appear. And people with thin and smooth skin, especially Europeans |
Appears in people with darker skin. |
5. How to treat freckles?
Currently, there are many different methods of treating freckles. Depending on the situation of freckles on the skin and living standards of each individual can choose the most suitable freckle treatment products to bring the best effect.
5.1. Treatment of freckles with cosmetics and creams
Treatment of freckles with cosmetics and creams is the simplest and most popular method. Usually, freckle-treatment cosmetics will contain substances such as Retinol, hydroquinone, acid groups ... have the ability to affect skin pigmentation, whiten skin, and treat sun damage. Thereby fading brown spots, improving the condition of freckles on the skin.
However, this method can affect the skin structure, thin the skin, even the skin can become dry, flaky, irritated and more sensitive.
To best protect your skin from the sun before going out, you should apply sunscreen 20 minutes before leaving the house so that it penetrates the skin better.
In addition, if you are in need of freckles treatment, you can use special drugs to remove freckles effectively.
A method that is quite popularly used by women today is a light peeling technique with a chemical mask every 1-2 months. Because the chemicals when performed contain acids to help improve melasma.
5.2. Laser treatment of freckles
Laser freckle treatment is a method of using laser wavelengths to precisely target each area of the skin to be treated. The wavelengths with the appropriate customized length will go deep into the skin layers, remove the melanin root, the cause of freckles to erase and prevent freckles from returning.
Laser freckle treatment may have to be performed several times according to the individual examination schedule to achieve the desired results. The recovery time after laser freckle treatment is about 2 weeks.
5.3. Treatment of freckles with liquid nitrogen
Freckle treatment with liquid nitrogen freezing is a method of freezing and killing abnormal skin cells. This is a method that is not new, does not require anesthesia, and has a short recovery time after surgery. However, treating freckles with liquid nitrogen is said to be not really effective. In particular, with sensitive skin or improper treatment, it will be easier to blister, risk scarring, even freckle recurrence more than before.
5.4. Treatment of freckles at home
Although there are no scientific studies to prove it, many people are still applying natural home remedies for freckles . This is a safe method that can help reduce pigmentation, fade freckles, but cannot completely remove freckles and usually only have short-term effects.
Because natural freckle treatment is not effective and very slow, it should usually only be used as a combined method, but cannot be used to treat freckles at the root alone.
- Use honey to treat freckles
Honey contains vitamins A, E, C, pinobanksin chrysin to help nourish the skin more healthy. In particular, Vitamin C has high oxidizing properties, so it can overcome dull skin, and brown spots on it.
Steps to treat freckles with honey:
Step 1: First, clean your face with a cleanser and warm water, along with dilated pores to help the vitamins and minerals in honey more easily penetrate.
Step 2: Take a sufficient amount of pure honey and apply evenly on the face. Leave it on for about 20 minutes, then wash it off with water.
Do it 2 to 3 times a week for best results.
- Use honey and lemon juice to treat freckles
Treat freckles at home with honey and lemon juice, you need to prepare: 1/4 lemon squeeze the juice and mix well with 2 tablespoons of honey.
After washing your face, use the mixture to apply it on your skin. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
For the best, you should apply rose water or moisturizer on top to nourish the skin. Should be done 3 to 4 times a week.
- Treat freckles with aloe vera
Aloe vera is a perfect beauty product favored by women. Aloe vera has a highly effective freckle treatment effect because thanks to 23 amino acids: such as Vitamin B1, B6, B12, B2, B5 ... It has an effective effect to help nourish healthy skin, anti-inflammatory, and can stimulate the skin to produce new cells. At the same time, it inhibits the growth of melanin pigment.
Steps to treat freckles:
Step 1: Wash your face with warm water.
Step 2: Take the flesh of aloe vera sliced loosely and apply it on your face for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with clean water.
- There are also some natural ingredients that can support the treatment of freckles such as:
Onion: Rub it directly on the skin and then wash it off with warm water. Onions will exfoliate and lighten freckles.
Castor oil: Has a balancing effect on skin pigmentation and can be used overnight.
5.5. Treatment of freckles with functional foods
Endocrine disorders, aging, stress, and improper diet are important causes of freckles. Therefore, supplementing with necessary nutrients to help balance hormones, anti-aging, enhance resistance, sunscreen not only helps to treat freckles at the root but also prevents freckles from returning. At the same time, these nutrients will nourish smooth white skin from the inside.
Some ingredients in functional foods support the treatment of freckles such as: Placenta, bird's nest extract, evening primrose, cherry blossom, Collagen, Vitamin E, Vitamin C...
Products are usually of herbal origin, so they are safe and benign for the skin and body if used correctly and in the right dosage. Therefore, treating freckles with functional foods is an effective freckle treatment method that is being trusted by many women today.
Treatment of freckles with functional foods containing ingredients such as Placenta, Vitamins, etc. is the choice of many women.
6. How to prevent freckles
To limit the phenomenon of freckles on the face, you should avoid direct sunlight on the skin. Especially sensitive skin. You can get skin cancer if you are exposed to too much sunlight.
If the case of freckles is hereditary, you should prevent freckles from arising and use integrated freckle treatment products from within the skin.
Some notes you should follow to avoid dark and freckled skin:
- Apply sunscreen every morning about 20 minutes before going out
- Avoid sun exposure between about 10 am and 4 pm. If it is absolutely necessary to use a hat, a protective hat
- Practice healthy eating. Having a diet that ensures a lot of vitamins A, C, and E, such as using vegetables and fruits, to increase the skin's resistance to sunlight and environmental pollution factors.
7. Steps to take care of freckled skin
- Step 1: Remove makeup
You should use makeup remover suitable for your skin. In particular, do not use products containing alcohol to avoid irritation, and skin abrasion.
Remember, makeup removal is the first and most important step in the skincare routine. Because you have to remove the layer of dirt sold on the skin, when using other products, it can work and avoid clogging pores causing acne.
- Step 2: Wash your face
After removing makeup, you should clean your skin with a face wash. Should use a cleanser that is gentle and suitable for sensitive skin such as gel cleanser..
- Step 3: Use toner
After washing your face, you should use a toner to help your skin balance its pH, and become comfortable, less tight.
- Step 4: Use special cream to treat freckles
Use a special cream suitable for your skin to avoid irritation. Note if using AHA / BHA, or retinol, you should apply and keep it on the skin for about 20-30 minutes so that the active ingredients can work and then proceed to the next skin care steps.
- Step 5: Moisturize with cream or serum
Use a serum to treat freckles , then use a moisturizing cream to keep the skin soft and youthful.
- Step 6: Use sunscreen (daytime)
70% of causes of freckles are caused by harmful effects of UVA/UVB in the sun. So during freckle treatment, regardless of method, it is necessary to pay attention to applying sunscreen fully even when it is shady to prevent freckles from spreading and becoming darker.
Above is an overview of freckles as well as freckle treatments that are highly appreciated by women. If you need advice or have any questions, you can contact us or leave a comment below for a timely response. Do not forget to take care to improve your skin to stay young and forever!