Do you have freckles? Yes! Well then I say lucky you! Personally, I love freckles. They give a youthful, innocent appearance. There are even filters now that add freckles to your face, so I am obviously not alone in my sentiments. But what if you have freckles and they are the thing that you really, like really really, don’t like? Is there anything you can do?
Firstly, let’s look at freckles from a more scientific point of view…
How are freckles formed
Freckles are just skin cells that contain a pigment called melanin. This is a chemical made by skin cells called melanocytes. Melanin helps to protect the skin from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays by reflecting or absorbing them.
Freckles are triggered by exposure to sunlight. The Sun’s ultraviolet radiation causes melanocytes to make more melanin, which can cause freckles to appear or become darker.
While anyone can have freckles, they’re also genetic. So if your parents have freckles, there’s a good chance you will too. People with fair complexions tend to have more freckles than people with darker complexions. The melanin in your skin is what makes you look tanned. The more you have in your skin, the easier it is to get a tan.
People who have fair complexions have less melanin in their skin to start with. When sunlight causes their melanocytes to make more melanin, they often develop freckles instead of getting an even suntan like people with darker complexions.
Some people, like me, have freckles that fade away in the winter and return every summer. Other people have freckles year-round. Freckles often tend to fade when people get older. I have four kids, and every single one of them has freckles. My son, who is 26 has all but lost his freckles, although when in the sun for a prolonged time, they do come back but not in the way that they did when he was young. One of my daughters is 12 and hers are beginning to fade. So if you have a child who is fixated on their freckles, you can assure them that they will most likely fade as they get older.
What can be done to treat freckles?
If you really don’t like your freckles, there are some things that you can do to promote a more even complexion. The first, and the most important, is prevention – and this comes from using a daily, broad spectrum SPF. Using an SPF that is 50+ is the best way to go. We love Aspect Hydrating Face SPF 50 as it can be used as a daily moisturiser and doesn’t feel sunscreeny – so makeup goes on after without any worries. SkinCeuticals Ultra Defence SPF 50 is another favourite for its feel and coverage. If you are someone trying to fade freckles, SPF, even in the winter, is a must. Mesoestetic Melan 130 Pigment Control is also a firm favourite that those with pigmentation issues love. It has a tint to it, so better for those not too pale.
Vitamin C
Skin care, particularly serums, can be beneficial if you are using them correctly. Vitamin C is a must have, as it fights signs of sun damage and enhances your natural UV protection. Not only this, but vitamin C also has fading capabilities, giving you a more even skin tone. Our favourite vitamin C’s for freckles are Osmosis Catalyst AC-11 for it’s dual action approach to pigment, anti ageing and skin strengthening. Societe Triple C Vitamin Therapy combines three types of vitamin C to keep its benefits working for longer, and our best seller Aspect Dr Active C is a great all rounder.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B (or niacinamide) helps to regulate pigment in the skin, as well as boosting your other products to work more effectively and brighten the skin. Aspect Dr Multi B and Medik8’s B5 Intense are both excellent options.
Serums designed specifically for blocking and fading pigment also work well, especially if used in conjunction with a vitamin C. Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus is one of the best ones we’ve seen. Osmosis Catalyst AC-11 (as mentioned above) is also fantastic.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A speeds up cellular turnover, so if you have a lot of freckles that you are treating with other serums, vitamin A is the way to go for shifting those dead, pigmented cells. Aspect Dr Exfol A is a good option for those who can easily tolerate vitamin A’s, while Osmosis Calm is more suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Should you get laser?
Look, I am not a fan of laser for treating pigment as it creates a lot of heat in the tissue, which can cause further pigment later on, but some people have found that laser can be beneficial in treating pigment. The fact is though, if you have always had freckles, then no amount of laser will get rid of them completely as it is in your DNA. It is best to take a preventative route (like SPF and a hat) and use pigment blocking and fading ingredients that will have a better outcome in the long run.
Clinic treatments for freckles
Cosmelan De-pigment treatment is a fantastic treatment that we offer in our Hobart clinic, and you should be able to find a clinic near you who also offers this treatment. It’s designed to eliminate or reduce dark spots of melanic origin on skin, while unifying the skin tone and enhancing skin luminosity. This is currently the leading treatment of pigmentation in the world and we’re excited to offer this in our clinic! It is best to undergo this treatment in the winter time, and it may be required every year, depending on the amount of pigment you have.
Makeup that covers freckles
There are some really excellent makeups that you can purchase that will even out your skin tone without looking caked on. Finding makeup that you like is tricky, so a lot of trial and error is required. We like the range from Aspect as it offers buildable coverage and has a great colour range.
Kids with freckles
If you are living with a child, particularly a teenage girl, who despises her freckles no matter how much you tell her you love them, the best thing you can teach her is to be sun smart. This means SPF 50 every single day – 365 days a year, and to wear a hat when outdoors. If they are playing sports, or just spending a lot of time outside, then this is even more important. It’s never too early to give the sun smart message to our kids!
If you are beginning to look at skin care for your child, adding in a vitamin C serum is a good option as it’s easy to use and will bring about multi benefits, not just for pigment. A great starter kit for kids over 13 is the Aspect Starter Kit with the Aspect SPF 50 to go with it. A younger child with no other skin concerns other than freckles is best to just use warm water and a face washer and the above SPF.
Best skincare options for freckles
If you need any help in choosing your skin care, you can email us at info@theskincareclinic.com.au.
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Osmosis Calm Gentle Retinal Serum
$162.00 -
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense
$115.00 -
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF50+
$68.00 -
Societe Triple C Vitamin Therapy
$220.00
Still not sure?
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