We all have pigment-producing cells in our skin called melanocytes. These melanocytes produce melanin pigment and feed it to keratinocytes, the normal skin cells that form the outer barrier of our skin. This barrier protects us from the insults of nature, and importantly, from the sun. This pigment prevents us from being damaged by the sun’s powerful rays. When our melanocytes become damaged by the sun, we produce freckles, which are simply abnormal collections of melanin pigment in the skin.
Causes
Freckles
they are more often seen in the summer, especially among lighter-skinned people
and people with light or red hair. Causes of freckles include genetics and
exposure to the sun.
Remedies for Freckles
1. Lemon
Juice
Lemon juice
is a highly effective ingredient for treating freckles as well as brown spots.
Lemon juice has skin lightening properties that will nicely bleach the dark
spots on your skin.
Apply fresh
lemon juice on the affected skin and gently massage the area. Leave it on for
10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this twice a
day.
Another
option is to use a lemon scrub. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle one-half
teaspoon of sugar on it. Gently scrub your skin with it for a few minutes and
then wash your skin with water. Do this once or twice a week on a regular
basis.
2. Sour Cream
The lactic
acid present in sour milk can help a lot to get rid of freckles. It is
particularly useful for those with sensitive skin.
Apply some
sour cream on the affected skin and allow it to dry for a few minutes. Instead
of rinsing it off with water, you must gently wipe it off with a soft tissue or
a towel. Then apply some moisturizer. This remedy will not cause skin
irritation or dryness. Do this at least once daily until the freckles go away.
Alternatively,
you can rinse the affected skin with sour milk daily. If you do not have sour
milk, use yogurt.
3. Honey
Honey is
excellent for fading freckles because it contains enzymes that help lighten
skin pigmentation. Plus, being a natural humectant, it is great for
moisturizing your skin.
Mix honey
and water and heat it slightly in a microwave. Apply it on the affected area
and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Finally rinse the area thoroughly with
warm water. Do this daily for a several weeks.
You can also
make an herbal mask by mixing a little wheat germ with warm honey. Apply this
mask and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse the area with warm water
and then wash it again with cold water. Repeat two to three times a week for a
couple of months. This is one of the most effective home remedies for freckles.
Another
option is to make a mixture of honey and yogurt, and apply it on the freckles
for 30 minutes daily until you get the desired results.
4. Papaya
Papaya juice
is another effective remedy to get rid of freckles. Papaya contain papain, a
kind of enzyme that can help lighten freckles.
Apply fresh
papaya juice directly on the freckles using a cotton ball and gently massage
the area.
After 10
minutes, rinse the skin with cold water.
Do this once
daily for at least for a few weeks or until you are satisfied with the results.
5. Onion
Onions also
can be used to remove freckles and brown spots due to their sulfur content
which has exfoliative property. For best results, use red onions.
Cut one red
onion into thick slices and rub the slices gently on the freckles twice daily.
Continue this remedy until the freckles fade away.
Another
option is to grate one red onion, extract its juice and apply the juice on the
affected skin twice a day. For best results, add one teaspoon of vinegar to the
onion juice. Repeat this remedy daily for one or two weeks.
6. Buttermilk
The
bleaching property of buttermilk can also help lighten and fade freckles. In
addition, it will make your skin smooth and supple.
Simply apply
buttermilk over the freckles, leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off
with lukewarm water. Repeat twice daily for several weeks.
Another
option is to make a thick paste of powdered oatmeal and buttermilk. Apply this
paste on the affected area, leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then wash it
off with cold water. Do this once daily until you get positive results.
Alternatively,
mix one tablespoon of buttermilk with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply it on
your skin and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off.
7. Castor Oil
Castor oil
is another natural remedy to treat freckles at home. It will give you an even
skin tone and help freckles fade away.
Before going
to bed, apply castor oil on the affected skin. The next morning, wipe it off
with a soft tissue and then rinse the skin with lukewarm water. Continue this
remedy daily until you get rid of the freckles. For best results, opt for pure,
cold-pressed castor oil which is tasteless and odorless.
Alternatively,
you can use vitamin E oil or olive oil to reduce blemishes and freckles.
8. Horseradish
Being high
in vitamin C, horseradish is good for fading freckles and blemishes naturally.
It also works an antioxidant to maintain healthy, younger-looking skin.
Dab
horseradish juice on the affected skin and let it sit for 10 minutes. Do this
once daily to lighten your freckles.
Alternatively,
add one tablespoon of powdered horseradish root to a cup of milk and boil it.
Cool and strain it. Apply this solution on your skin and leave it on for 10 to
15 minutes before washing it off. Do this four to five times a week until you
get encouraging results.
Another
option is to mix one grated horseradish with the juice of one lemon to make a
paste. Apply this paste on the affected skin area and allow it to dry. Then
wash it off with cold water. Follow this remedy every other day until you see
improvement.
REMEMBER
As with many
skin conditions, it's best to avoid the sun as much as possible, or use a
sunscreen with SPF 50. This is especially important because people who freckle
easily (for example, lighter-skinned people) are more likely to develop skin
cancer.