Brown spots can appear naturally or develop as a result of exposure to the sun. These spots are harmless to the skin, but some people prefer to whiten or remove them for a more even skin tone. Learn to use natural skin lightening and freckle removal methods and preventative tactics to keep these brown spots from coming back.
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Method 1 of 4: Natural Whitening Method
Step 1. Use lemon juice
Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that can be used to lighten and lighten spots. This method works better on natural freckles than freckles caused by sun exposure, as this type of freckle tends to be darker and less uniform.
- Buy some fresh lemons and squeeze the juice into a bowl. You can also use ready-to-serve lemon juice.
- Dip a cotton ball in the lemon juice and apply it to your face on the freckled areas. Let the lemon juice soak into your skin for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
- Apply lemon juice daily to fade your freckles over time.
Step 2. Try a milk mask
Another natural way to lighten freckles is to apply a milk-based mask on your face and let it soak into your skin. The lactic acid in milk can exfoliate the top layer of skin, making freckles appear more subtle. This method is better for natural freckles than sun freckles.
- Apply 1/4 cup sour cream on the area with the most freckles. Allow the sour cream to soak into your skin for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water and pat dry.
- Use full-cream milk for washing. Just pour full-cream milk into a bowl and rub it on your face. Allow to soak for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water and pat dry.
Step 3. Make a fruit mask
Smoothing fruits and letting them dry on your skin is a natural way to exfoliate the top layer of skin to lighten spots. The sticky fruit adheres to the skin and helps the skin to peel off easily.
- Mash a few strawberries and one kiwi in a bowl. Rub the mixture all over your face, concentrating on the areas with the most freckles. Allow the mixture to dry completely and rinse the skin with cold water. Peel off the fruit mask and rinse your skin with cold water.
- Try cucumbers or apricots instead of strawberries or kiwi.
Method 2 of 4: Treatments to Remove Brown Spots
Step 1. Use a whitening cream
Drug and beauty stores sell whitening creams with a variety of different basic ingredients designed to remove freckles and other dark spots. Skin whitening creams can be effective for either natural freckles or those caused by the sun. For best results, apply daily.
- Look for creams with licorice extract, which has been shown to have skin lightening properties.
- Aloe vera is another popular ingredient in whitening creams. This ingredient can brighten and moisturize the skin without causing damage.
- Many creams contain chemicals such as hydroquinone and oxybenzone. These ingredients can lighten the skin, but they can also be damaging. Read about side effects and test the product on a less sensitive area before you decide to use a cream containing these ingredients.
Step 2. Try microdermabrasion
This technique uses a stream of tiny particles to remove the outermost layer of skin, lightening natural freckles or freckles caused by moderate sun damage. Microdermabrasion is generally done in several sessions.
Step 3. Do a chemical peel
Exfoliating the top layer of skin is the most effective way to reduce the appearance of freckles, and even lead to the disappearance of lighter spots. Chemical peels are generally used on the face, but can also be used on the arms and hands.
- Chemical peels have three levels of strength: superficial peels, which use alpha or beta hydroxy acids to remove the top layer of skin; medium peels, which use trichloroacetic acid to penetrate deeper into the skin and remove more layers; and deep peels, which use a high concentration of trichloroacetic acid or phenol to remove much more of the layer.
- After a chemical peel, it will take your skin about 2-3 days to recover from the procedure. It is not recommended to do chemical peels too often, as they are harsh on the skin.
Step 4. Get laser treatment
Lasers can be used to burn the blood vessels just below the spots, masking them or even eliminating them altogether. This procedure has not been shown to have long-term damaging effects, but it can cause temporary bruising, redness and swelling.
- Laser treatments are generally given in 3 or more sessions over 10 to 15 minutes.
- The skin is previously sprayed with cold water to ensure the laser heat does not cause pain to the patient.
Method 3 of 4: Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Protect yourself from the sun
Some people are born with freckles, but many others develop freckles over time as a result of exposure to the sun. The spots may fade in the winter, but can get darker in the summer if you don't take steps to prevent the sun's rays from hitting your skin.
- Use lots of sunscreen. Make sure you cover your face every two hours when you're out in the hot sun, and more often when you're swimming. Also use a strong sunscreen on other parts of the body, because freckles can appear anywhere.
- Wear a hat and other protective clothing. Sunscreen can only protect your skin from the sun for a short time. Wearing layers of clothing to cover the skin is a much more effective way to prevent freckles from appearing. Wear long-sleeved tops and light pants in summer to stay cool and protect your skin at the same time.
Step 2. Take vitamin C
These nutrients help to lighten freckles, so make sure you consume large amounts of them in your diet. Citrus fruits, kiwis, spinach and other green vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C.
- Start the day with vitamin C intake from fruit and vegetable juices. Add one kiwi fruit, nectarines, and a cup of raw spinach to a blender. Blend these ingredients together with almond milk or other healthy basic ingredients.
- Vitamin C supplements are another option you can take to make sure you're getting enough. Take pure vitamin C or a multivitamin that contains vitamin C.
Method 4 of 4: Makeup Solution
Step 1. Try a natural mineral foundation
A mineral foundation helps to disguise and blend freckles with your natural skin tone. Ask a mineral makeup consultant to determine which foundation works best for your skin tone.
- Choose a foundation between a shade lighter than your skin tone and the color of your freckles.
- Apply mineral foundation all over the face using a kabuki brush to get a flawless and natural look typical of mineral makeup.
Step 2. Use a cream foundation
This type of foundation is good for people with dry skin. Choose a color that is slightly lighter than the color of your freckles. Apply the foundation with a cotton ball or makeup reviewer, and make sure to spread it evenly for best results.
- Putting a pinch of powder on top of foundation helps it stay on all day long.
- Avoid the temptation to apply more than one coat of foundation. You may instead draw extra attention to the areas you want to cover.
Tips
- Remember to take lots of vitamin C. Many fruits contain vitamin C, especially oranges.
- Use plenty of sunscreen. You don't want to add more brown spots than they already have.
- For most people, brown spots fade completely in the winter and reappear in the summer. This is because once you come into contact with the sun and/or get burned by it, the brown spots may return. The best advice is to stay out of the sun (wear a hat!) and your tan will hide itself.
- The sun's rays are strong at midday, which means you're more likely to be sunburned at this time, which can lead to more freckles, as well as skin cancer.
- Don't go outside during the day when the sun's rays are strongest.
- Don't forget, many people think of brown spots as an advantage, not a weakness.
