What’s the difference between freckles and “age spots,” and should we be concerned about them?
Freckles on the Face – A Fashion Statement
“What’s natural isn’t ugly,” say advocates of natural beauty to those with spotted skin, encouraging them to view their “sun-kissed complexion” as a “spring compliment” rather than an aesthetic flaw. Those charming freckles have become a modern beauty trend, and recently, the beauty industry has expanded its arsenal beyond whitening and concealing creams to include “reverse” options: waterproof pencils, cosmetic markers, and henna sprays.
From global runways to fashion magazines, “sun drops” have spread across the faces of fashionistas, becoming a staple of contemporary makeup. This trend offers support to those who haven’t fully embraced the philosophy of body positivity and still see natural spots on their faces as a cosmetic issue. This concern is particularly prevalent among women right now. Since this pigmentation appears under the influence of sunlight, the dull winter freckles become vibrant in the spring and summer.
People prone to developing spots often live with them from the age of five, with the “peak” occurrence happening during puberty (ages 13-18), and by the age of 25-30, the freckling tends to become less noticeable or may even fade away on its own.
What Causes Freckles?
The appearance of small yellowish-brown spots on the face and exposed areas of the body is usually attributed to inherited pigmentation traits. Freckles most commonly appear in individuals with light or red hair, but sometimes this “adornment” also affects brunettes.
The culprit is the melanocortin-1 receptor gene, MC1R. However, the manifestation of freckles itself isn’t solely dependent on genetics; only their quantity is genetically determined. Even with a tendency for clustered placement, freckles differ from larger pigmented spots and moles due to a limited number of melanocytes – the pigment-producing cells. It is known that people with freckles are more sensitive to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation due to a lower concentration of the light receptor – the high-molecular-weight pigment melanin – in their skin.
In China, freckles are considered a symptomless skin condition (when there’s no pain or itching), and it’s advised to avoid tanning by limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen. Sun rays can not only make hidden pigmentation more pronounced but also stimulate melanin production, leading to the formation of new spots, especially in areas where old ones have been removed.
What Are “Age Spots”?
Changes in pigment protein (melanin) metabolism after the age of 45-50 lead to the appearance of skin defects on the face, back, and hands, known as “senile” pigmentation. Scientifically, these “age spots” are referred to as senile lentigo. They signal a disruption in metabolic processes within the body. The malfunction in melanin metabolism occurs due to increased secretion of melanotropin – a hormone responsible for a person’s emotional balance and psychological resilience. Age spots of various shapes are located in the upper layer of the skin and do not cause any discomfort.
These “flowers of aging” can bloom long before biological aging begins: skin changes can sometimes occur as early as 30, coinciding with the fading of freckles. The early appearance of age spots is often triggered by excessive sun exposure. The influence of natural or artificial sunlight stimulates melatonin production, which can spiral out of control (that’s why pigmented spots appear primarily on exposed areas of skin).
In women, age spots often arise due to hormonal changes and compensatory mechanisms activated by a sharp decline in estrogen production during menopause. Subcutaneous fat tissue serves as a significant “depot” for estrogen, which is why individuals with a fuller figure tend to develop pigmented spots less frequently than those who are slender. Brown pigmented spots (ranging from light shades to dark burgundy) develop gradually and do not fade. It’s challenging to combat age spots: whitening treatments often yield minimal results.
How to Remove Pigmented Spots and Freckles?
Cosmetic options allow for the removal of “spotty” skin through both hardware and chemical methods.
Modern techniques include:
- phototherapy;
- cryotherapy;
- laser skin resurfacing;
- acid peels (using fruit and milk acids);
- lightening serums and creams with special components.
A specialist can recommend which procedure is suitable for your specific case. The advantage of laser treatment is its targeted action on pigmented cells without damaging surrounding tissue. The skin is cleared after the destruction of melanin. However, radical solutions are also the most costly.
Accessible alternatives include:
- rubbing the skin with kefir and a 3-5% hydrogen peroxide solution;
- mixing 2 teaspoons of dry yeast with a few drops of peroxide (to form a paste) and applying the mask to the face for 20 minutes, then rinsing with warm water;
- combining 1 teaspoon each of fish oil and honey, applying the mixture to the pigmented area, and rinsing after half an hour with chamomile tea;
- supplying your body with vitamins E and C: consume folic acid and riboflavin;
- getting rid of parasites: the presence of worms in the body can also provoke skin spots;
- detoxifying the liver and adrenal glands: along with toxins, the spots will fade;
- avoiding excessive use of cosmetic products, as essential oils (especially bergamot and citrus) in them increase skin sensitivity to sunlight;
- using photoprotective and whitening creams like “Akhromin”: products with extracts of peony, lotus, and Daursky angelica are rich in vitamins, amino acids, and trace elements that prevent new pigmentation from forming.
Our great-grandmothers used sour milk to wash their faces. However, it won’t effectively tackle pigmented spots. Treatment should be approached from both the outside and the inside.
Home Remedies for Pigmented Spots
* Pass dandelion leaves through a meat grinder, extract the juice, and apply it to freckles three times a day.
* Rub the skin with ripe quince juice.
* Brew 1 teaspoon of calendula flowers with a cup of boiling water, cover the container, and let it steep. After half an hour, strain the infusion, add 1 teaspoon of onion juice, and apply to the face three times a day.
* Mash half a glass of currants with 1 tablespoon of honey, apply to the pigmented area for half an hour, and rinse with water mixed with lemon juice.
* Mash 1 tablespoon of black currants and mix with kefir, sour cream, or whey. Apply to the face for 20 minutes and rinse with water.
* Pour 50 grams of black currant leaves with a cup of boiling water, let it steep for 15 minutes, strain, and add 1 tablespoon of currant juice. Soak gauze in the infusion and place it in several layers on the face. After 20 minutes, remove the mask-compress and rinse the face with water.
* Dissolve 1 tablespoon of kitchen salt in 200 ml of cool boiled water and moisten the face with this solution before bed.
* Wipe the skin with a lotion made from a mixture of cucumber and onion juice (1 teaspoon each) in a glass of cooled boiled water.
* Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with sour cream. Apply the mask to the face and rinse with water after 15 minutes.
* Chop parsley, extract the juice, and mix it with an equal amount of raw milk. Apply to the skin for 15 minutes and rinse with water.
How to Remove Freckles from Your Face in One Day
* Apply juice squeezed from fresh centaury grass to the skin.
* Pour 1 tablespoon of dried crushed viburnum flowers with a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 30-40 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of onion juice to the infusion, mix, and apply to the face with a cotton pad. This procedure should be repeated three times throughout the day.
* Mix 50 ml of vodka, the juice of half a lemon, half a cup of milk, and 1 teaspoon of sugar until smooth. Use this mixture to wipe pigmented spots and freckles throughout the day.
* To 2 teaspoons of cottage cheese, add 1 teaspoon of sour cream and 10 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Mix and apply to the skin for half an hour, then rinse with cool water.
* Dilute onion juice and boiled water in a 1:1 ratio, apply to the skin, and let it dry. Then apply sour cream and rinse with water after 10 minutes.
* In 1 teaspoon of carrot juice, squeeze the juice of half a lemon and use this lotion to wipe the face three times a day.
* Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with 25 grams of yeast and 1 tablespoon of raw milk. Apply the mixture to the face, and rinse with water after 20 minutes.
* Soak cosmetic wipes in cabbage brine and place them on the pigmented area for 10 minutes. Make compresses three times a day.
* Mix 2 tablespoons of fresh green peas with 2 tablespoons of whey. Mash and apply to the face. Rinse with water after 15 minutes.
* Prepare a mixture of 1 tablespoon of horseradish juice and 1 tablespoon of sour cream, apply to the skin for 5 minutes, and rinse with water.
* Apply a strong infusion of parsley roots mixed with lemon juice to the skin in the morning and evening.
Experience the effects of fruit acids and homemade whitening masks!