1. Best Foods for Healthy Skin Slideshow Pictures
2. Antiaging Tips & Secrets to Look Younger Slideshow
3. Take the Skin Quiz

Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Freckles facts
• What are freckles?
• What types of freckles are there?
• What are "liver spots" or "age spots"?
• How do freckles develop?
• How important is heredity with freckles?
• What is the medical meaning of freckles?
• How can freckles be prevented?
• What is the treatment for freckles?
• What is the value of freckles?
• Patient Comments: Freckles - Value
• Find a local Dermatologist in your town
• Freckles Index

Since we cannot change our own genetic component of freckling, our main prevention measures are aimed at sun avoidance and sun-protection, including

1. use of sunscreens with SPF (sun protection factor) 30,
2. use of wide-brimmed hats (6 inches),
3. use of sun-protective clothing (shirts, long sleeves, long pants),
4. avoidance of the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
5. seeking shade and staying indoors.

Ideally, freckle prevention is more effective than later trying to remove freckles that have already developed. Freckle-reduction treatments are more difficult and not always satisfactory.

People with known hereditary tendencies of freckling should start sun protection early in childhood. Much of the sun and UV skin damage occurs often while children are under age 18.

Fair-skinned people who are more prone to freckling and sunburns are also generally more at risk for developing skin cancers. Freckles may be a warning sign of sensitive skin that is highly vulnerable to sunburn and to potential skin cancer.

Several safe and effective methods are available to help lighten or reduce the appearance of freckles. Frequently, multiple or a combination of treatments may be required for best results. Not everyone's skin will improve with similar treatments, and freckles can easily recur with repeated UV exposures.

1. Bleaching or fading creams: Products containing hydroquinone and kojic acid can be purchased with and without a prescription. Higher concentrations of hydroquinone (over 2%) require a prescription. These products can help lighten freckles if they are applied consistently over a period of months. Bleaching or fading creams are most effective in combination with sun avoidance and sun protection.
2. Retinoids: Sometimes used in conjunction with other bleaching creams, tretinoin (vitamin A acid, Retin-A), tazarotene (Tazorac), adapalene (Differin) also may help lighten freckles when applied consistently over a period of several months.
3. Cryosurgery: A light freeze with liquid nitrogen in the physician's office can be used to treat some types of freckles. Not all spots respond to freezing or burning.
4. Laser treatment: Multiple types of lasers may help lighten and decrease the appearance of freckles safely and effectively. Like cryosurgery, this is a simple and safe procedure with a high success rate and a low risk of scarring or skin discoloration.
5. Photofacials or Intense Pulsed Light treatments are another method to lighten and remove freckles. This is not a true laser technique but an intense light source.
6. Chemical peels can also help lighten freckles and improve irregular pigmentation.