The sun’s rays affect your skin every time they touch it. Any color change in the skin, whether it is a tan, burn or freckle, is evidence of damage to the skin. Sun spots or freckles occur when melanin in the skin reacts with the sun’s rays, thereby producing the spots. If you are unhappy with your facial sun spots, there are various things you can do to reduce their appearance. It generally takes several months to fade sun spots but you will see a gradual improvement each week if you are dedicated to treatment.
Protect your skin from the sun by wearing a high-SPF sunscreen daily. If you will be outside during the sun's peak hours, opt for a wide-brimmed hat as well. You will never be able to effectively fade your facial sun spots unless you protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays.
Use a Vitamin C serum or lotion on your face. When applied to the skin, Vitamin C can significantly lighten and brighten it, leading to a more uniform skin tone. You can also find cleansers and toners that contain Vitamin C for a complete skin lightening regime.
Rub a lightening or bleaching cream on your facial sun spots. These creams are available in most beauty supply and drug stores and have been shown to effectively fade freckles when used regularly.
Ask your dermatologist about Retin-A creams. These creams aid in skin cell regeneration, thereby helping to lighten dark spots and promote a more even skin tone.
Consider chemical peels. You can choose from light, medium and deep peels which burn away the top layers of skin to reveal less damaged skin below. Some people find their sun spots are substantially lighter after just one peel whereas others require a series of peels.
Talk to your dermatologist about laser therapy. Intense laser light is used to target the sun spots' pigment, breaking it up so it is reabsorbed by the body. Freckles will look lighter and less noticeable after treatment. In addition, lasers encourage collagen production so skin will look younger and firmer.
Try home remedies to fade facial sun spots. Apply fresh squeezed lemon juice, parsley juice or sour milk to your freckles. All juices have been shown to lighten sun spots. Apply the ingredients individually, not as a mixture.