Freckles - Symptoms and Treatment

Freckles are flat, circular spots that typically range in the size of the head of a nail. The spots develop randomly on the skin, especially after repeated exposure to sunlight and particularly in persons of fair complexion. They are most common in fair skinned individuals. Microscopically, the freckle is distinguished by increased melanin production. They are first noticed during childhood and are common in fair-skinned individuals. Usually occurring on the face, they darken on sun exposure. Freckles vary in color they may be red, yellow, tan, light-brown, brown, or black but they are always darker than the skin around them since they are due to deposits of the dark pigment called melanin. The word "freckle" comes from the Middle English "freken," which, in turn, came from the Old Norse "freknur," meaning "freckled." Freckles are small brownish spots on human skin, predominantly found on the face. Predisposition to freckles is genetic, though exposure to sunlight is a factor in how many appear. The gene for freckling is related to the presence of red hair. Based on recent genetic research, it has been suggested that this gene had Neanderthalic origins. Freckles are predominantly found on the face, although they may appear on any skin exposed to the sun. Freckles are rare on infants , and more common on children before puberty; they are less common on adults. Children that do not produce enough melanin to protect their skin against harmful rays from the sun develop temporary freckles associated with childhood that usually go away upon puberty, once more melanin is properly produced. People with the fairest skin often do not produce enough melanin, and so freckles are present after puberty and into adulthood, indicating that individual as a genetic carrier for freckles. Upon exposure to the sun, freckles will reappear if they have been altered with creams or lasers and not protected from the Sun, but do however fade with age in some cases.

Freckles are brownish spots on the skin which appear early in life and increase in number during summer months and fade in winter. Freckles mainly occurs due to precipitation of pigments on the upper layer of skin or exposure to sun. Exposure to the sun causes to produce more melanin (melanin is produced by the body in response to sun exposure). Since melanin is accumulated in the upper layer of the skin, you might want to consider skin lightening and peeling. When the skin is sensitive to ultraviolet rays, freckles are more prone to that type of skin. Freckles come in the category of skin disorders but not a skin disease. Hydroquinone has also been a very popular treatment for the removal of freckles and combating skin discoloration, however it can irritate the skin. Kojic acid, discovered in Japan in 1989, is a natural product derived from fungi. It is gentle on the skin and very effective in treating skin discolouration and freckles. Freckles may be described as flat, round, dark colored spots that range in size from about 2mm to 4mm. Freckles could be the result of pigment precipitation in one particular place, as generally the skin surrounding the spot is lighter in color. Freckles have a hereditary aspect to it and you are likely to inherit it if runs in your family. Freckles are usually of no medical consequence and do not cause any problems. Freckles are sensitive to the UV rays of sunlight and hence appear more prominent during or after exposure to sunlight. Though freckles could be present all over the body, mostly they are found in areas exposed to sun.

Natural Home Remedies for Freckles

Following are some of the most effective natural and home remedies for freckles :-

• A yellow mustard oil is also good for treating freckles. Grind yellow mustard in milk and apply to the face during the night. Wash you face in the next morning.
• Mix equal quantities of turmeric and sesame seeds. Grind in water and apply to the face.
• Wash your face with sour milk and lactic acid will provide gentle peeling effect without irritation or dryness in the skin.
• Lemon juice is a tried and tested remedy for treating freckles. Apply lemon juice with your fingers on the affected area; lemon juice bleaches the dark spots.
• Apply parsley juice mixed with equal amounts of lemon juice, orange juice, and red currant juice under your favorite cream will help you keep your freckles invisible.
• Apply odorless castor oil or vitamin E at night before going to bed.
• Regular use of fruit and vegetable masks such as those made with apricots, strawberries, cucumbers and red currant will help lighten freckles.
• Applying buttermilk on freckles is thought to help in lightening them.
• Onions also can be used for removing freckles and age spots. Slice a red onion in half and rub on the spots twice daily. Continue until the spots fade.
• Take a watermelon, make a hole in its rind and introduce some grains of rice in it. Take out the rice after a week. Grind into a paste and apply on the face.

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