Name a single person on the face of the earth who doesn’t want glowing, radiant, and spotless skin. You cannot. The reality is a bit different. Many of us suffer from ugly-looking small marks in clusters, called freckles. They really hinder our beauty.

Freckles are confidence killers; get rid of them as soon as possible.

If leading celebs and BBC chart-toppers like Kesha and Carly Rae Jepsen− extremely conscious about their appearance, skin health, and celebrity stature − can get it, everyone can. The thing is, these celebs sometimes embrace these speckles and still rock. However, not everyone can look gorgeous with these tiny spots on face.

Whether you are born with these brown spots or got them after long exposure to the sun, they can veil your most attractive facial features like forehead, nose, and cheeks. Large clusters of these sore spots affect your looks and cause stress and anxiety.

You are always thinking about them. They hurt your self-esteem and lower your productivity. So, for all those people, who are troubled by these agonizing marks, getting rid of them is worth the hassle. So, now the question arises, which treatment imparts a radiant glow to the skin, helps you achieve a smooth appearance, and diminishes or fades away the freckle marks?

Although many treatments claim to be the best, the laser turns out to be the best of the lot, followed by the chemical peels.

But before we go on to the famous treatments to combat freckles, let’s tell you what freckles are and whether you can get rid of them or not.

What are freckles?

The scientific name for freckles is ephelides, which are small pigmentation areas. When compared to moles, skin tags, and other dark patches, freckles are completely flat. They are quite common and can happen to anyone. According to Cleveland Clinic, freckles affect our facial beauty but are not a health concern.

Freckles are very common and can affect bother genders. People having fair skin and red hair are the common targets of it (we mentioned Kesha and Carly Rae Jepsen at the top; both have fair skin and red hair). A large majority of people develop freckles, mostly in childhood or early adulthood.

One thing you should be mindful of is that freckles will get darker when exposed to the sun. For this reason, experts suggest sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), wearing a hat, etc., even on cloudy days. Moreover, you are suggested to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours (when out in the sun). Also, abnegate the sun in peak hours.

According to the Harvard Medical School, your freckle marks might fade in winter, which is completely normal.

Can you get rid of freckles?

This is one of the two most common questions thrown at us. The other one is, ‘are they permanent?’ Let us clear both these confusions for you. You cannot get spotless skin free from freckles instantly after any treatment. This is why, until you don’t get the desired results, you may need to conceal the marks using makeup.

Or embrace them, if you are ok with it.

According to multiple pieces of research, freckles can fade owing to different treatment methods. A study in the Journal of Dermatology and Dermatologic Diseases says freckles can be faded using the latest laser treatment. Besides the laser, Chemical peel is another method that has proven effective against these spots.

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says you can rectify your facial appearance against freckles using deep chemical peels. However, you will have to consult and discuss it with your dermatologist as this treatment method may take over 3 weeks for the skin to heal.

Another important thing to know is that all anti-freckle treatments may not be permanent. Once your skin is free from freckles, it can appear again. This is why it becomes more important to protect yourself from the sun’s harsh rays.

Also, whichever treatment you choose, ensure they are done in clinical settings and by an experienced dermatologist.

Most common Anti-freckle treatments

Let’s now discuss the two most effective treatments to counter freckles

Laser treatment

Pulses of focused light are thrown at the affected areas of the skin. Laser treatment is considered the most effective solution against freckles on fair skin. Different types of lasers are used for treating freckles. A study conducted in 2015 says that the Nd YAG laser does the job superbly.

According to this study, the Nd YAG laser effectively fades more than 50% of freckles in over 60% of the candidates.

Although it is a safe treatment, experts suggest not to close in on the eyes and areas around them. It doesn’t cause scarring; however, other side effects of the laser can be:

  • Redness
  • swelling
  • itching
  • crustiness
  • changes in skin color
  • peeling

If a patient has a history of oral herpes, they are suggested to take antiviral medication before the treatment. It is important as the laser may cause an eruption of flares around the mouth. If you are using a medication or have a history of any medical condition, convey it to your dermatologist during the consultation.

You may have to go through multiple treatments to achieve a perfect finish. It will take around two weeks to fully recover from the intense laser process.

Chemical peel

A moderate skin peeling treatment based on trichloroacetic acid or glycolic acid is used to fight the freckles. The acid penetrates the skin’s layers to act from inside. This treatment unveils a new and fresh layer of skin by removing the top layer affected by the clusters of dark brown spots.

Some side effects caused by chemical peels include:

  • Swelling
  • Irritation
  • Redness
  • Peeling
  • Crusting
  • Stinging

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery states that it will take two weeks to heal from moderate skin peels. You must soak your skin daily and apply a topical treatment to soothe it. You will also be required to stay indoors and avoid the sun until the skin is fully healed.

According to Healthline, you can get relief from freckles using several natural remedies. Although no scientific studies back these remedies, people who go for them call them extremely effective.

These remedies use honey, onion, buttermilk, lemon juice, yogurt, and sour cream.

Remember, if you are ok with your freckles and embrace them, there is nothing you should do to cover them or fade them. If you notice any change in these harmless marks, be attentive to it. There is no harm in booking a consultation with a leading sunspot and freckle removal specialist.

However, if you want to get rid of them and think they are affecting your beauty and personality, book your service with the top freckle removal clinic in London now.