Depending on your ethnic background, facial and bodily pigmentation can be a regular occurrence to deal with. Many people who have darker skin get moles and benign lesions that slightly change the color of skin. Lighter skinned people can either have problems with cancerous skin conditions or just develop large changes in pigment color, which are often called freckles.
Freckles are not the domain of lighter skinned individuals only; people of all skin tones have freckles and the can be a source of self-consciousness and considered unattractive. While there are many options for this type of skin pigmentation, learning how to remove freckles should begin with a thorough understanding of what causes them.
While this is a comprehensive guide on how to remove freckles and includes information about all of the different types of freckles, it is by no means the most important informational resource. You can also find a plethora of information in the Skin Whitening Forever, which is more comprehensive and is a better place to start before making any decisions about procedures.
What Causes Freckles?
From a scientific perspective freckles are different from moles and other skin pigmentation issues. Sometimes called “ephelides” by the scientific community, these areas are concentrated skin cells that are melanized. This means that they are more easily visible on people who have a light complexion, but separates them from moles, which are increased melanin-producing cells.
Like many other skin pigmentation disorders, the primary reason people develop freckles is due to the sunlight and ultraviolet ray exposure. Certain parts of the skin are more sensitive to this type of thing than others. The upper shoulders, face, and especially the nose are the most susceptible to freckles because they have more direct sunlight.
Scientists have discovered that the primary reason why people have freckles (whether the sun is involved) is overstimulated melanocytes, which are in cells and increase melanin production. This is a commonly known problem and people who are susceptible to this are more likely to have problems with skin cancer and other skin disorders.
Genetic Reasons for Freckles
Over the past few decades, genetic research has become a major part of the new scientific literature. Our understanding of the human genome has helped to better understand every aspect of life including who will have freckles and why this might be the case. For freckling, the MC1R gene is to blame and there are mutations that cause this among (predominantly) caucasians and lighter skinned individuals. The same gene is actually correlated with the red hair gene that seems to correlate with freckles.
Specifically, the Irish have a propensity to pass this gene and the associated properties. This is why you may have heard of the stereotype that Irish people have freckles and red hair! This gene was largely suppressed in people with darker skin, but those who have light skin needed to be able to absorb and process vitamin D. Hence, they still have the gene that is considered responsible for freckles.
Types of Freckles
Now that you have a basic understanding of what freckles are, their genetic cause, and why you might have them, you should know the types. The different types of freckles are important because they mean different things about the skin and they can have different remedies.
Sometimes what you think are freckles are something altogether, which is not only potentially dangerous, but also important so that you can get the right treatment. Knowing the type of freckles can save your life if you end up with a cancerous mole that you recognize before it becomes dangerous!
Dark Freckles / Moles
One of the main types of freckles are called dark freckles. These are some of the most difficult to have because they are hard to distinguish between other kinds. Sometimes dark freckles are referred to as black freckles and these can also be considered moles.
Even though freckles are usually considered harmless, people often call moles dark freckles. In reality, moles can be benign, but they can also be cancerous. Understanding moles completely is your best bet to protect yourself from dark freckles as a real threat to your skin and well being.
While moles are common, sometimes they can turn into a bigger problem if you are not careful. Moles that develop in a cancerous way end up becoming melanoma and this is best to catch before you find yourself in harms way. Luckily, melanoma can be solved easily if you are able to catch it early enough.
If you have dark freckles or moles that you would like to get rid of, use the following natural remedies as a good start place. This is going to make your dark freckles go away easier and will make sure to keep you safe from cancerous problems.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar – This is one of the best methods to remove dark freckles and moles. To use apple cider vinegar, just try a small amount on your skin and see if it burns. If you do not have a lasting negative reaction to the vinegar, you are not allergic and you can start to use it on a longer term basis to get rid of the mole. The good thing about apple cider vinegar is that it is an all natural source of acid that will burn the scab off your skin. Just dip the apple cider vinegar in cotton, hold it in place on the mole for an hour, and you should see results in 10 days. This is one of the quickest methods of getting rid of your moles in a natural way.
2. Flaxseed oil, ground flaxseed, and honey – If you want a less painful or abrasive (who wants acid on their skin?) method of removing the dark freckle, then this combination can be the best place to start. Flaxseed oil and ground flaxseed offer advantages to get rid of the mole while honey acts as a natural anti-bacterial with scar removal benefits. Combine a teaspoon of each, apply it to moles, and protect the area with gauze and medical tape for an hour. Within a few weeks, you should see the moles removed.
3. Banana peels – You can use banana peels to get rid of your dark freckles as well as the other methods. This is the simplest, but also the longest (and most awkward) of the ideas we have provided. Just take a ripe banana, peel it and put the yellow (outer) side down on your affected area. Within a few weeks you should see the moles start to disappear.
4. Aloe vera – This is a pretty standard solution for most skin conditions. When it comes to your dark freckles, aloe vera is a great option. It is completely painless, you may already use the product for your other skin care needs, and in general terms it is a great natural remedy for skin conditions. If you start with aloe vera, apply the aloe vera gel directly on your moles, then protect the area with gauze and tape for about three hours. If you do this 2 – 3 times per day, you should get rid of your moles in about a month.
5. Frankincense – Here is an option you may not have thought of to get rid of moles. This is a natural treatment that has been used for a number of things for hundreds of years. The anecdotal evidence to support use with moles is strong enough that we recommend it here. Create a relaxing bath that can also help you to get rid of moles. Use one cup of baking soda, a cup of sea salt, 6 drops of lavender essential oil, and 3 drops of frankincense oil. This mixture should help you to get rid of moles with a simple bath. If you take a 15 minute bath with these ingredients every day, you should be be able to get rid of the mole in under a month.
6. Iodine – Just an element with anti-bacterial properties, iodine is a great option for removing moles as well. It serves the dual purpose of removing the mole and also providing an anti-bacterial at the same time. A 5% tincture iodine should be enough to make the difference with moles. Apply petroleum jelly around the mole to prevent pigmentation from spreading to other areas. Then, apply a drop of iodine directly on the mole. Wrap it with gauze for a couple of weeks and you should get rid of the mole. This is one of the more complicated natural remedies, but it is a single natural element available from nature.
Now that you have a basic understanding about dark freckles and how to get rid of these moles, it is worthwhile to look at the next type of freckle you might face.
Red Freckles
Our skin is our largest organ and requires the most water and daily support, which is why so many people spend a lot of money on skincare products. When someone sees red freckles, it can be a sign that they need to pay more attention to their skin. Many people find red freckles to be unattractive and want to get rid of them as quickly as they can. However, most people don’t even know what these red freckles are and how they can handle them in a minimally invasive way.
