Other Skin Conditions: Moles, Birthmarks, Dryness, Etc. / Question
Published: January 27, 2010
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Is there any way that I could get fid of freckles without laser surgery? I was told if you rub lemon juice on them they will fade? Is this true?
Signed: Get Rid of Freckles Without Laser Surgery
Dear Get Rid of Freckles Without Laser Surgery,
The feature that gives skin its color is known as melanin. The more melanin in your skin the darker you will appear. Freckles are clusters of concentrated melanin which are easily visible on people with a fair complexion.
Freckles are genetic or caused by the sun. People with fair skin have less melanin in their skin to begin with, but some of their melanocytes (A pigment-producing cell in the skin) make more melanin when exposed to the sun. So instead of getting an even suntan, they sometimes get freckles. Freckles that are caused by the sun can be minimized by practicing sun avoidance and sun protection.
Lemon juice is widely believed to have many benefits for skin. Any fruit containing hydroxy acids facilitate the shedding of surface cells, and will work as a bleaching agent to lighten skin. It works similar to the way people will use lemons to highlight streaks of hair during the summer. Lemon juice won’t get rid of freckles but it can lighten them so they are less noticeable. Be aware that any progress you make can be completely undone by a few days in the sun without any protection.
Makeup can be used to blend in your freckles so they are less noticeable. You want to be careful about over doing it with the makeup because too much will block your skin pours and could result in other skin problems
If lemons or makeup do not bring you the desired results and your freckles bother you that much then you may want to consult with a dermatologist and see what he/she have to say. A dermatologist can prescribe topical lotions (such as Retin-A) that speed up the process of skin cell renewal, which will minimize the look of freckles.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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