Freckle Removal

Freckles are caused due to uneven heavy deposit of melanin. They appear as flat, circular darker spots. They are more likely to occur in fair-skinned persons. Freckles do not require any medical treatment though they can be reduced and cosmetically treated. You can play around with your makeup to camouflage freckles. Apply your foundation with care - blend it well to get maximum coverage. What is important to distinguish between freckles and a type of skin cancer called melanoma.

Freckle

Freckles are small flat circular spots of pigment that are noticed on fair skinned persons. They occur due to deposits of melanin and are usually attributed to excessive sun exposure. Freckles can range in color from light tan to yellow, light brown or black. The epidermal layer of the skin thickens on repeated exposure to sunlight and the melanocytes (pigment producing cells) accelerate the production of melanin.

Freckles fade in the winter when they aren't as exposed to ultraviolet rays. Freckles are commonly found on the face and hands, and any other part of the body that has been overexposed to the sun. Freckles are among the many signs of photo-aging. Photoaging occurs when excessive sun exposure speeds the skin's natural aging process.

Ephelides: These are to flat spots that are red or light brown that appear during summer. This type of freckles can be controlled with the use of a good sunscreen and reducing sun exposure.

Lentigines: Such freckles are darker than those of the ephelides variety. You may need to use cosmetic procedures to reduce such freckles. These freckles look like wrinkling, blotchy pigmentation.

Freckle Removal

There are various methods of freckle removal.

• Fading creams containing hydroquinone are used to lighten freckles if they are applied consistently over a period of months. Bleaching agents are not very effective since they may cause chemical rashes and burns. Tretinoin is also used to reduce freckles.
  
  
• Lasers are used to treat freckle since they can pinpoint at tiny lesions and eliminate them safely and effectively. Besides, laser energy is selectively absorbed by freckles on account of the pigment and the surrounding skin is left unharmed. Typically, laser treatment for removing freckles costs upwards of $175. Each sitting usually lasts about 30 - 45 minutes. Laser treatment will not prevent new freckles from appearing.
  
  
• Cryosurgery involves usage of liquid nitrogen to remove freckles.
  
  
• Cosmetic procedures such as laser resurfacing, ablative laser treatments and glycolic peels can help in freckle removal. With a little bit of care, you can try and prevent freckles from making an appearance. Avoid excessive sun exposure during peak hours. Ensure that your skin is armed with sunscreen whenever you go out. Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Avoid tanning beds that expose the skin to UV radiation.