Freckles

JHS16

I know I'm supposed to embrace my freckles, blah blah blah.....but my freckles happen to be darker in some areas than others, so does anyone have any tips on lightening them?  Two areas that bother me are my upper lip and my chest because I'm wearing a strapless dress.  I've heard Retinal A could be helpful, does anyone know the price and availability?  I have about 5 months until our wedding.  Thanks in advance!

kimheartsscott

I have no idea about lightening, by stay out of the sun.  That always makes my (and a lot of people's) freckles darker.

JHS16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_freckles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:8d6c636a-32d5-46ab-8ad1-32caf1c5dc39Post:1d195028-51a2-4dcd-a91e-6b14ec97923b">Re: Freckles</a>:
[QUOTE]I have no idea about lightening, by stay out of the sun.  That always makes my (and a lot of people's) freckles darker.
Posted by kimheartsscott[/QUOTE]

<div>That's really good advice and SO true!  Even just 10 minutes of sun exposure and I'm a different person haha!  My SPF 85 is already purchased for the HM!  </div><div>
</div><div>For those that care, I found some great Retinol A products, recommended by my dermatologist: </div><div>
</div><div>SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5:  <a href="http://skincarerx.com/SkinCeuticals-Retinol-0.5-Refining-Night-Cream.html">http://skincarerx.com/SkinCeuticals-Retinol-0.5-Refining-Night-Cream.html</a></div><div>
</div><div>SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic : <a href="http://skincarerx.com/SkinCeuticals-CE-Ferulic.html">http://skincarerx.com/SkinCeuticals-CE-Ferulic.html</a></div>

Lynxie

the stuff that I know about take a few skin cycles to work (4-6 weeks per cycle,) but it did help to lighten mine up a bit. The line I used was Arcona, and the product is called "whitening drops". I would recommend that if you want to try this product, you should probably use it along side their basic 5, which is a morning and evening set that was designed to enhance not only your skin, but the usefulness of their other products. Great marketing technique, eh?

genahubbard

If you truly want to erase your freckles quickly, I found the best method is IPL (Intense Pulse Laser). It's about $1,500 for a series of treatments. They zap you with a laser (feels like rubberbands being snapped on you), then you go a couple of weeks later & get a microdermabrasion.  Your freckles will get darker at first & kind of look like coffee grounds and then fall away.

I don't have one single freckle left on my face and my skin is glowing. It's a big committment, but it works!

Lynxie

genahubbard- well, even if OP doesn't like that plan, you gave me something to save my money for!

Bride_to_be_2011

I have freckles and don't even think about them. I love them. Don't you think people will notice that you got rid of your freckles? I have freckles on my arms and all... I think it would be weird to not have any on my face.

But yes, stay out of the sun, mine get 10 times darker when I am in the sun.

JHS16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_freckles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:8d6c636a-32d5-46ab-8ad1-32caf1c5dc39Post:62dab0e1-c08c-4882-a284-9823a93d5290">Re: Freckles</a>:
[QUOTE]If you truly want to erase your freckles quickly, I found the best method is IPL (Intense Pulse Laser). It's about $1,500 for a series of treatments. They zap you with a laser (feels like rubberbands being snapped on you), then you go a couple of weeks later & get a microdermabrasion.  Your freckles will get darker at first & kind of look like coffee grounds and then fall away. I don't have one single freckle left on my face and my skin is glowing. It's a big committment, but it works!
Posted by genahubbard[/QUOTE]

<div>Wow, I had no idea it was that effective!  Thanks for the personal review.  How long did the entire process take from the time you had treatments until the time the freckles fell off? </div>

JHS16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_freckles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:8d6c636a-32d5-46ab-8ad1-32caf1c5dc39Post:82a01bcb-490e-4cc8-8dd0-6546bfd77ca1">Re: Freckles</a>:
[QUOTE]I have freckles and don't even think about them. I love them. Don't you think people will notice that you got rid of your freckles? I have freckles on my arms and all... I think it would be weird to not have any on my face. But yes, stay out of the sun, mine get 10 times darker when I am in the sun.
Posted by Bride_to_be_2011[/QUOTE]

<div>I love the ones on my nose and cheeks, but for some weird reason, the ones along my jawline and upper lip are darker than the ones around it, and it looks odd.  I end up covering those areas with extra makeup, and I hate it.  Honestly, I'd be happy if I could just lighten those areas and leave the rest the way they are.  </div><div>
</div><div>I also have never-ending 'tan lines' on my shoulders and chest, with an absence of freckles where I wear tank tops for running.  Most of the damage is from high school days, of course, but all the sunscreen in the world won't fix it now.   Regardless, it is overly obvious when wearing a strapless dress, which I would love to even out somehow. </div>

Bride_to_be_2011

Ok I understand now.   I hope you feel radiant and confident on wedding day! Good luck!

JHS16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_freckles?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:8d6c636a-32d5-46ab-8ad1-32caf1c5dc39Post:b1aca743-1b00-4104-a1d6-be04de17aaa7">Re: Freckles</a>:
[QUOTE]I noticed a difference with the very first treatment-it took about 1 week. Each time you go you will see improvement.  I did the IPL & microderms for a total of 6 months.  I had blotchy "patches" of freckles on my cheeks, near my ears & I always had to wear foundation to even it out.  Now I don't have to wear ANY foundation at all. It doesn't look weird either-it's not like my face is a different color than my body-it just dosen't have freckles on it. I'm all about embracing who you are-I love the freckles on my knees and my shoulders-but the blotchy patches were too much. Also, I'm prob older than most of the brides-to-be on this site-37. Freckles that are super cute on 20-somethings can morph into "sun-damage" in your late 30's. lol That being said...wear your sunblock & hats ladies!
Posted by genahubbard[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>That's exactly what I'm dealing with - uneven areas.  Thanks so much for the info! 

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