Janie’s Freaking Out About Freckles: I’m Asian and through out the years my face is getting covered with freckles. It was cute at first when it was just on the top of my cheeks. But now it has spread to my forehead…all over my nose and on my cheeks. I was walking through Macy’s and saw Shisedo White Lucent, which targets freckles and dark age spots. Do you think this will work? Do you know of any other products that might actually work?
The Right Brain hits the spot:
There are many conditions that can cause your skin to develop brown spots. Sun exposure is often the guilty culprit. Here are 3 of the most common spots caused by the sun:
Freckles (Medical Name: Ephilides)
These small, flat brown marks appear mainly on the face, shoulders, and other sun exposed areas. They most frequently occur on fair skinned individuals but since they are an inherited characteristic they can also affect darker skin types. These spots are caused by increased pigment in the upper layers of skin so they are most noticeable after exposure to intense summer sun. They fade or disappear in the winter as upper layers of skin are replaced by new cells from below. In general, as you age this type of freckle becomes less noticeable.
Age Spots or Liver Spots (Medical Name: Lentigines)
Age spots are sometimes called liver spots although they have nothing to do with liver disease. This type of spot is larger than a freckle and tends to appear later in life because of cumulative sun damage. Generally, these spots appear on the hands and face and, unlike freckles, they don’t fade as much in the winter.
Scaly brown marks (Medical Name: Keratoses)
Brown spots that have a scaly texture may be solar keratoses. There marks are similar to liver spots in coloration but they are also characterized by abnormal skin cell growth so they’re not completely flat.
Causes and Cures
As we noted above, all of these brown spots are caused by sun exposure. UV radiation triggers a biochemical chain of events that results in increased production of melanin, the same pigment that gives your skin a tan. The good news is that there are some products that can interrupt this chemical pathway and stop, (or at least slow down) the melanin production.
Products based on hydroquinone, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin-C, retinoids, and azelaic acid have shown varying degrees of success. One of the most popular of these age spot fading products is Meladerm. If you want to learn more about Meladerm, read our previous post on skin lighteners.
Dark spots can also be removed using chemical peels, cryotherapy or certain pigment lasers that target melanin in the skin. Consult a dermatologist to find out if one of these procedures is right for you.
Finally, you should realize that the best treatment is prevention. Shielding your skin from the sun will help minimize the appearance of freckles and other dark spots.
Source: dermnetnz.org
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I’ve had the best luck with getting rid of my freckles by wearing a zinc-oxide based sunscreen. It took a few months, but after wearing it every day, most of my freckles went away. I know they are hiding under my skin and will come back with sun exposure, but at least they are gone for now.
I say embrace your freckles! I never hated mine. But then again mymom and dad were always very positive about them. Boyfriends loved them and so does my husband! I hate when they fade in the winter!
Yikes…I’ve got SOME of ALL of these lovely blemishes.
My dermatologist “zaps” some of them when I get my bi-annual check. However when I asked HIM about some sort of topical treatment for the “liver spot” variety he handed me a brochure on a $500/per session laser treatment he offers which was most unhelpful. I was so annoyed I didn’t look carefully at the brochure. Is the laser treatment lasting or do the spots eventually come back without the use of sunscreen?
I love my freckles and like Cate, so does my fiance. What’s so bad about them, they are natural and cute, I think. x
Liver spots are so called because they are liver-colored, that is, the tan-brown color of liver. You can also get liver-spotted Dalmatian dogs, with brown spots instead of the usual black.
I like my freckles, too. And the guys always want to connect the dots…
guys really do like freckles..
The thing commenters are not understanding is that in Asia, being dark and/or having freckles for a woman is an anathema. EVERYTHING has whitening ingredients in it. I’m Chinese American and frankly, I think freckles are just a fact of life for some women so they should embrace them.
Melasma and other skin discolouration/freckling can be caused by birth control or pregnancy.
Freckles are sexy as hellllllll.
I had a few spots of hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and forehead – like skin dicoloration. I looked around the web and did some research – when I ran across site that had recommended the Made from Earth skin care line. I went to their website (www.madefromearth.com) and found their Rosehip % Hibiscus Face Serum / moisturizer. The description sounded promising, and I figured that I had nothing to lose, so I ordered it.
After about 3 months of use, my skin is looking very nicely toned and the spots are fading rather quickly. Once you apply this moisturizer, you’ll instantly notice how it makes your skin silky smooth.
I find it to smell very pleasant – almost like the hibiscus flower. Overall, don’t expect this product to work immediately, you have to give it a little while, and I assure you that you won’t be disappointed. Plus, for a chemical free and organic face cream the price is just perfect.