Freckles

Freckles are dark colored spots that are round and flat. It’s commonly measure from about 2mm – 4mm. It is the result of precipitated pigments focused in one area, as lighter color skin surrounds it. These spots are sensitive to UV rays that augment their appearance; hence, it is more abundant in areas with too much sun exposure. Family history mainly constitutes its skin manifestation. Freckles do not escalates to further medical complications.

2 Basic Types:
1.Ephelides are flat light-brown or red spots that normally appear during the summer season and disappear during the winter season. It could be inherited through genes.
2.Lentigines are small brown or black spots. It is darker than the first type and does not fade away in the winter season. Although heredity also contributes to its appearance.

Symptoms
Light-skinned of fair people are more prone to freckles especially when exposed to too much sunlight. Freckles appear as dark spots more apparently on the face, more specifically on or around the nose area.

Causes
Fair-skinned people are more prone to freckles for their skin contains less melanin, and exposure to sunlight causes these dark spots to appear. Moreover, rare skin disorders such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum amplifies the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, which all more contribute to the appearance of freckles.

Heredity and hormonal imbalance causes the appearance of freckles in one’s skin. Estrogen hormones overproduce pigment-producing cells that lead to color production in the skin when exposed to sunlight.

Home Remedies
Sour cream: Apply sour cream on the affected area. Half-rinse it, then gently wipe off the remaining residue with a soft facial tissue. Follow with moisturizer afterwards.

Lemon juice: Apply lemon juice in the dark spots using the tip of your fingers.

Fruit and vegetable masks: Facial masks made from apricots, cucumbers, red currant and strawberries will help lighten freckles.

Sour milk: Wash face using sour milk on a regular basis. The lactic aid present in sour milk will peel the skin gently without irritation or dryness.

Honey: Mix warm honey with little amount of wheat germ. Apply on the face and gently pat it off. Wash with warm water and rinse with cool water.

Horseradish: Horseradish juice or vinegar can also lighten freckles. Oatmeal is good substitute for horseradish.

Parsley: Mix parsley juice, and equal parts of lemon, orange and red currant juice. Apply on the face followed by your favorite facial cream. It’s an effective concealer on your face.

Castor oil: Applying odorless castor oil or vitamin E every night before bedtime are also effective as home remedy for freckles.

Lemon: Make a juice from one lemon fruit and add some sugar to it. Apply on the freckles using a brush.

Yellow mustard: Mix grounded yellow mustard with milk. Apply on the face in the evening and rinse it in the morning.

Onions: Rub sliced red onions on the freckles and age spots twice daily until all spots have faded.

Buttermilk: Buttermilk can also lighten freckles.

Turmeric: Grin equal parts of turmeric and sesame seeds. Mix both in water and apply it on the face.

Watermelon: Store some rice grains inside a watermelon for a week. Grind the flavored grains into a paste and apply it on the face to get rid of freckles.

Currants: Mix ¼ cup of mashed unripe currants with 1 tablespoon of unpasteurized honey. Apply on the face and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Dab with fresh lemon juice diluted in water.

Diets
Increase intake of fresh vegetables and whole grains rich in vitamins A, B complex and C.

Cabbage, eggs, milk, nutritional yeast and wheat germ all contains vitamin B5 that prevents dryness of the skin.

Apples, citrus fruits, black and red currant, green onions and rosehip tea are rich in vitamin C that makes the skin less prone to sun damage.

Other suggestions
Always apply good quality sun block before going out or swimming outdoors. Reapply every 2 hours when excessive perspiration occurs.

Also, avoid having direct contact with the sun from 10 am – 4 pm.

Wear broad-rimmed hat when the occasion permits to help shade your face from the heat of the sun.