Freckles are tiny spots of melanin that usually occur on the exposed parts of the skin. Being a genetic problem, the chances of having freckles increases, if any of your family members also has them. Overexposure of your skin to sunlight also results in these spots. Although they are harmless, freckles are one of the major cosmetic concerns for many people. Also, it is common in people with fair skin. There are a number of ways to get rid of these spots.
However, they can be expensive and painful. Therefore, a lot of people try home remedies that are quite effective in treating these spots. Moreover, they do not cause any side effects and are easy to use and also give very good results. Usually, it appears that freckles have vanished during winter, but it is not so, as they reappear again in summer. Therefore, these home remedies must be continued even if the spots are not visible.
Home Remedies to Treat Freckles
Mint Leaves and Banana
You can prepare a face pack by blending a mashed and ripe banana and 2 tsp of mint leaves. Apply the mix on the area affected by dark spots and when the pack starts to melt, rinse it with water.
Lemon Juice
This is another effective home remedy used in treating the problem. The only ingredient required is lemon juice. Apply the lemon extract on the freckles with your fingers. Repeat this process every day for better results. The lemon juice is known for its bleaching property.
Alternatively, you can mix lemon juice (1 tbsp), salt (a pinch) and honey (1 tbsp) and apply the paste on the spots. Leave for about 10 minutes and wash with normal water. Make sure, the mixture does not enter your eyes.
Also, a mixture prepared by using sugar and lemon juice can be used to get rid of the dark spots. Sugar will exfoliate the skin, whereas lemon juice as mentioned earlier will bleach the spots naturally. This process must be repeated for a couple of days and the freckles will disappear gradually.
Buttermilk
This is the cheapest as well as an effective remedy for freckles. Make a paste using buttermilk and oatmeal (1 tablespoon). Apply the paste on the area affected by freckles and wait for about 20 minutes. Later wash with tepid water.
Red Lentil
Soak some red lentils in water overnight. Next morning, blend them into a fine paste. This paste must be used on the dark spots and rinsed after 20 minutes. Continue this treatment till the freckles reduce.
Fruit and Vegetable Masks
You can use masks prepared from fruit and vegetables every day to treat freckles. Cucumber, red currant, strawberries and apricots are quite effective in lightening the freckles.
Regular use of these masks will aid in reducing the skin damage by enhancing blood circulation and removes the dark spots gradually.
Aloe Vera
The extract of Aloe Vera is quite effective in treating freckles. Apply the juice on the area affected by freckles daily. After a few days the spots will fade away.
Vitamin C
This is another useful remedy for freckles. You need to consume foods that have ample amounts of vitamin C like apples, oranges, grapes etc. on a daily basis.
Regular intake of this vitamin will reduce the skin sensitivity to ultraviolet rays, which will help in preventing freckles and skin damage.
Currants
Mash unripe currants (1/4 cup) and add unpasteurized honey (1 tbsp) to it. Apply this mix on the area with dark spots and rinse off with tepid water after half an hour. Later, dab diluted fresh lime juice on the freckles. This is useful in lightening the spots.
Gram Flour
Make a paste using turmeric powder (1/2 tablespoon), gram flour (2 tablespoon) and Lemon juice (1 tablespoon).
Apply the paste on dark spots and leave for about 15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water, which will open the pores and then wash with cold water again. This will close the opened pores.
Potato
Grate a potato and extract the juice. This juice must be applied on freckles. Once it is dry, you can wash with water. This will lighten the freckles, when you use it on a daily basis. Alternately, use potato slices that are soaked in buttermilk and rub them on the dark spots for about five minutes. Repeat this process for three times in a week.
Honey
Honey is another useful remedy to get rid of freckles. A teaspoon of wheat germ can also be added to honey. The vitamin E present in wheat germ will help in retaining a healthy skin.
You can apply a paste of mild warm honey mixed with wheat germ on the affected skin. Rinse the paste after 15-20 minutes with warm water.
Horseradish
The horseradish vinegar or horseradish juice dabbed on the freckles is quite effective in lightening the spots.
Onions
Onions are effectively used to remove the age spots and freckles. A red onion slice is rubbed on the spots 2 times daily. Continue this process until the freckles fade.
Sour Cream
The lactic acid present in sour cream is quite good in treating freckles. These acids help in peeling the skin gently from the affected region without causing irritation or dryness. Wash your face using sour cream. Don’t rinse the cream completely, gently wipe the solution using a tissue paper and after cleansing apply a trusted moisturizer.
Castor Oil or Vitamin E
It is established that Vitamin E reduces cellular damage, which in turn helps to maintain a healthy skin. Castor oil reduces the freckles and hence an effective remedy in treating them.
Vitamin E or odorless castor oil must be used on the area affected by freckles daily for a month to see effective results.
Watermelon
A hole must be made in the rind of watermelon and then add some rice grains into it. After a week take out the rice and grind it into a fine paste. Apply this paste regularly on the face to get rid of the dark spots.
Sesame Seeds
Equal amounts of sesame seeds as well as turmeric are ground into a paste. This is applied to the face and then rinsed after 15-20 minutes.
Other Home Remedies
Parsley juice mixed with red currant juice, lemon juice and orange juice (in equal amounts) will help in getting rid of dark spots. Apply the paste prepared with milk and yellow mustard. This must be applied in the night and rinse off the next morning.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.