Let’s Talk Freckles!

Love them or hate them, freckles have been the topic of fashion magazines for decades. Fortunately, advances in cosmetic technology allow you to embrace or erase your freckles as you wish. 

What Are Freckles?

Freckles are caused by the overproduction of melanin pigment, which is a result of exposure to UV light. People with red hair and pale skin are more sensitive to sunlight and can burn more easily, which makes them more likely to develop freckles. You can typically spot freckles on parts of the body most exposed to the sun, like the face and arms—especially in the summer, when they’re the most prominent (before they fade in winter, when skin generally gets less direct contact with the sun).

Prevention

If you don’t wish to embrace your freckles, you can take some simple steps to keep your skin clearer. The best advice for those who want to minimize freckles is to avoid activities like sunbathing, tanning beds, and spending extended periods outside in direct sunlight. While staying out of the sun can be challenging in the summer, quality sunscreen can help protect sensitive skin. Look for products labeled as broad spectrum; this means they will shield against both UVA and UVB rays. While UVB rays cause sunburn, UVA rays play a greater role in skin changes related to aging.

Related Article: 10 Cold, Hard Truths About Tanning

What else should you look for when choosing a sunscreen? The American Academy of Dermatology recommends you select one that has an SPF rating of 30 or higher. Many dermatologists also recommend water-resistant sunscreen, which will continue to shield your skin while it’s wet. Water resistance will last between 40-80 minutes before the sunscreen needs to be reapplied. 

Treatment

Sun damage isn’t always visible right away, but the VISIA® Complexion Analysis System provides a quick and easy look at the condition of your skin. By differentiating between red and brown skin components, the analysis shows areas that have color concentration, spider veins, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and other conditions. Then, your skin care professionals can help you implement tailored treatment and skin care regimens to treat any problem areas and keep your skin looking beautiful.

Another option is the Forever Young BroadBand Light (BBL) treatment, which rejuvenates your skin and stimulates changes in pigmentation that can lighten or eliminate freckles. BBL uses focused light to heat up the upper layers of skin, stimulating the regeneration of cells and reducing signs of aging. This process also corrects discoloration and improves elasticity and skin tone. Plus, Forever Young BBL can be used as a preventive regimen with long-lasting results to keep your skin looking up to 10 years younger. Results are often seen after just one treatment that causes no patient downtime!

Get the Skin You Want

Spending time in the sun doesn’t mean your skin has to show the signs of outdoor activities. If you want to avoid freckles, consider a tailored treatment, prevention, and skin care program to generate results in a way that works for you. For more information about the Forever Young BBL treatment and other laser skin rejuvenation techniques, download our free ebook!