Freckles. Some people love them. Some people hate them. They have been both adored and shunned in the fashion industry with some viewing peppered skin with exotic appeal and others seeing freckles as a mar that flaws the skin.
For those who love their freckles, more power to you. We think you’re beautiful! To those who hate them and want to know how to get rid of freckles the fastest, most effective way possible, SKINNEY Medspa in NYC is here to help.
Professional skin care treatments using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) often referred to as a Photofacials offer a very effective solution for diminishing the appearance of freckles.
What Causes Freckles?
People asking how to get rid of freckles should first learn what causes those tiny little sun kisses to dot their face. Freckles are the result of sun damage. Inside our skin are cells called melanocytes. They produce melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color. The body uses melanin to protect the skin against harmful UV rays. When the skin is exposed to the sun, UV B radiation triggers melanocytes to produce more melanin to protect the skin. The melanin builds up into a localized spot and diffuses into the surrounding skin cells called keratinocytes, producing a freckle.
Melanin can come in all different colors but brown and red are the most comon colors of freckles. Every skin tone is susceptible to freckles, but they are more likely to form on people who have fare complexions, or people with phototype I and II skin tones who typically have Northern European, such as Nordic, Scandinavian or Irish, descent.
Related Article: What Skin Issues are Associated with Your Skin Color and Ethnicity >>
Freckles can appear anywhere on the body, but form on the face and arms the most. The appearance of freckles can intensify after sun exposure, so summer months tend to bring out freckles. Freckles may fade in the winter months as the keratinocytes that store the melanin that make up a freckle get replaced with new skin cells.
Photofacial NYC: Can IPL treatments help get rid of freckles?
Photofacials are not guaranteed to permanently get rid of freckles, but they are arguably the best treatment out there for diminishing their appearance and are supported both by raving reviews and clinical research.
How Does a Photo Facial Work?
During a Photofacial, the IPL device is calibrated to emit specific wavelengths of light that target specific colors. When a Photofacial is used to treat freckles, the wave length is calibrated to target the brown or reddish brown hues of the melanin. By emitting pulsed light, the skin is protected from thermal injury and the level of discomfort is reduced for the patient.
Light emitted during a Photofacial safely penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the skin cells containing the targeted color of pigment. This intense light heats up the cells, damaging them with a high concentration of thermal energy. The melanin begins to fragment or break up and the body’s natural immune system gradually absorbs the damaged cells containing the melanin build ups. The fragmentation and absorption of the targeted cells greatly diminishes, if not completely removes the appearance of the freckle.
While impressive results can be seen after one round of Photofacial treatments, optimal results are usually seen after 3 to 5 treatments. *
For people wanting to get rid of freckles on their face, Photofacials can be a great help, but IPL treatments can also be used to diminish freckles on the arms, chest, neck and the back of the hands.
Photofacial NYC treats a variety of pigmentation issues:
Because the wavelengths of light can be customized during a Photofacial, IPL treatments can target other pigmentation issues beyond freckles, such as red spot, rosacea, hyperpigmentation and sun spots.
If you want to learn more about how to get rid of freckles, SKINNEY Medspa, the premier Photofacial NYC provider can provide solutions that diminish those sun spots you scorn. Schedule a free consultation or call 212.754.6639 today and receive up to 25% off your first treatment.
