How To Remove Freckles With Lemon Juice?

Nowadays, the majority of individuals are embracing their freckled skin. However, you don't have to if you are not comfortable with freckles on your face. While heavy makeup and laser treatments are considered as great options for freckles, there are other effective home remedies that you can use to get rid of freckles on your skin. What's really amazing about these remedies is that they are all-natural, cheap, and usually, have no to little side effects. One great remedy to use for freckles is lemon juice. In this article, you can know how to remove freckles with lemon juice.

What Are Freckles?

Freckles are light, flat, and brown spots that form on the skin especially on the face. They are common but aren't harmful or painful - they are mainly made of clusters of skin cells of the pigment melanin. Freckles mostly occur naturally or develop due to sun exposure, especially if they are genetic.

Usually, your skin contains melanocytes - the cells that produce the pigment melanin which is responsible for protecting the skin against harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Extreme exposure to the sun encourages the production of more melanin from the skin. If the melanin build-up on the surface of the skin, it forms freckles. Since freckles are not dangerous, there isn't any health reason to treat them. However, you can fade or remove freckles with lemon juice if you are not comfortable leaving with them.

How Can I Protect My Skin From Freckles?

Given the fact that freckles are mainly caused by sun exposure, the best way to protect your skin from them is to wear sunscreen. While sunscreen won't eradicate the already existing freckles, it can help in preventing the development of new ones. If you are more prone to freckles, then make sure to wear sunscreen regularly and avoid extended exposure to the sun.

Using Lemon Juice To Get Rid Of Freckles

Lemon juice is a common home remedy for numerous skin and health conditions. For instance, lemon juice is used for acne, weight loss, hair loss, digestion, and much more. Here you can get the complete information on how to remove freckles with lemon juice, Besides being affordable, lemon juice is natural and has fewer side effects on the skin unlike other treatments such as creams and laser treatments. Usually, many bleaching creams in the market today contain harsh chemicals which can result in unpleasant side effects and reactions such as burns, rashes, and irritation.

How To Use Lemon Juice For Freckles?

The most effective way to lighten freckles with lemon juice is to apply it directly to the affected skin. For best results, only use fresh lemons since they don't contain any preservatives.

• Squeeze lemon juice into a bowl
• Using cotton wool or a thin towel, dip into the lemon juice and apply it on the freckled area.
• Wait for about 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off with cool water.
• Do this daily for fast and consistent results

What You Need To Know About Lemon Juice

• If the lemon juice works for you, then don't expose your skin to the sun. While lemon juice fades freckles, all the positive results will be undone entirely of you go to the sun without protection. So, for lasting results, wear sunscreen and avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Any exposure to the sun after a lemon juice treatment will result in the development of new freckles.
• Also, lemon juice is only a temporary remedy. Some permanent solutions include laser removal which is effective and fast but is more expensive.
• Besides encouraging the development of new freckles, going to the sun after applying lemon juice may cause your skin to darken due to the photosynthetic properties of lemon juice.
• Lemon juice usually has a drying effect on the skin. Therefore, if you have dry skin, then consider using lemon juice with honey. If you use it alone, make sure you apply a moisturizer to prevent your skin from over-dehydrating. Also, honey may add to the skin lightening effects.

Disadvantages Of Lemon Juice For Freckles

While lemon juice is effective in getting rid of freckles, it can cause skin irritation. Also, it can cause itchiness, burns, or stings. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, then consider diluting lemon juice before applying it to the skin. Also, you can use it together with other effective remedies such as olive oil to reduce the burning effect of lemon juice. If you experience any side effects of lemon juice such as irritations then it is advised to wash the skin immediately and apply a moisturizer. Avoid the lemon juice treatment entirely if you experience side effects even after diluting it with other ingredients.

Other Ways To Get Rid Of Freckles

Lightening Creams

There are numerous lightening creams in the market today that you can use to get rid of freckles. Make sure you check the ingredients of the cream before using a specific cream. Go for products with natural ingredients such as honey, lemon, and Aloe Vera. Some chemicals used to produce these creams can have serious side effects on your skin. You can also speak with your doctor for a good cream recommendation.

Eat Food Rich In Vitamin C

Besides lightening freckles, Vitamin C has many other nutritional benefits. Foods rich in Vitamin C include kiwis, spinach, and citrus fruits among other foods. You can also use Vitamin C supplements to make sure that you consume the recommended amount.

Cryosurgery

It uses cold liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill abnormal skin cells. While the procedure is safe, it's usually associated with several side effects including blistering, hypopigmentation, and bleeding among others.

Honey

Make a paste of honey with salt or sugar. Use the scrub a few times a week for faster lightening of the skin.

[Also Read: Health benefits of honey]

Buttermilk/Sour Cream

It can be applied directly to the skin. Both buttermilk and sour cream are rich in lactic acid which is useful in lightening freckles.

When To See A Doctor

Although freckles aren't harmful or cancerous, you might confuse their symptoms for a serious skin condition such as skin cancer. So, if you have freckles, it's important to confirm with your doctor. Also, if you notice any changes in the color, size, or shape of your freckles, then consult with your doctor and find out whether the condition is serious.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to remove freckles with lemon juice, go ahead and try it. However, if you have sensitive skin, then lemon juice may not be an effective option for your condition. Also, whichever way you choose, remember to practice safe sun care after the treatment to avoid the development of new freckles.