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Freckles and Freckle Removal
Skin Care - Freckles
Freckles and Freckle Removal I think freckles look great on women, but most people I know with freckles want to get them removed. People who have fair complexions are usually prone to small, flat, circular spots on the skin. These are called freckles, and they usually develop randomly when one is repeatedly exposed to the sun’s rays. Freckles can appear in any color: yellow, tan, red, brown, light-brown, or even black. They are usually visible during the summer, and often affect people with light skin or light-colored hair. They may also affect redheads. Women and men are equally to prone to getting these. The main cause of freckles is excessive exposure to the sun’s rays. These usually fade away once a person has reduced his or her time under the sun. To look at it from a cellular point of view, it may be observed that freckles are caused by melanin-producing cells in the skin. When melanin accumulates in any specific part of the body, the result is the formation of freckles, or age spots. Genetics can also play a role in developing freckles. Fluctuations in a person’s hormone levels can also affect freckle formation because estrogen is known to stimulate cells that produce pigments, thus causing them to churn out more melanin especially when exposed to the sun. The formation of freckles may occur singly and irregularly. Sometimes, they also form in clusters, making them appear bigger than it really is. These usually cover a large amount of skin. Experts have found one thing similar in age spots, pregnancy mask (or melasma) and freckles. They are more susceptible to appear on skin that has been more exposed to the sun like the back, chest, hands, and face. These are harmless because they are merely naturally occurring skin pigments that have accumulated. There are many methods of treating freckles, some of which are bleaching creams, cryosurgery, chemical peels, and laser removal treatments. Bleaching creams have hydroquinone and kojic acid that may help in making freckles appear lighter. These are usually applied many times for many months. Cryosurgery will freeze the skin lightly with liquid nitrogen. It is also a popular treatment for wrinkles. Chemical peels are not only used for freckles, these are also applied to age spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and other parts of the skin that has discoloration. They also make the skin look smoother and firmer. Finally, laser treatments are touted to be more effective than any of the procedures mentioned above. Through highly sophisticated treatment, a thin ray of intense light is directed on the affected area. The oxyhemoglobin and melanin absorbs the light. The darker cells are eliminated while keeping the healthy cells whole. Because of the intense light of laser treatment, you will be required to wear goggles.