What Are Freckles?
Freckles are small, flat, light-to-mid-brown spots that usually appear on the face, shoulders and arms — anywhere that gets regular sun exposure. They’re most common in fair skin and often become noticeably darker over summer, fading again over the cooler months.
Freckles are generally a genetic trait triggered by UV exposure, rather than a sign of skin damage — which sets them apart from sun spots and age spots (covered on our Pigmentation & Sun Damage page), which tend to appear later in life and don’t fade with the seasons.
What Causes It?
- Genetics — an inherited tendency to develop freckles, especially in fair or red-haired skin types
- UV exposure — sunlight activates melanocytes, making existing freckles darker and encouraging new ones
- Skin type — lighter skin types are more prone to freckling than deeper skin tones
How We Assess It at Cosmetic Skin Co
At your consultation, Lisa will look at the pattern, depth and density of your freckles and confirm whether what you’re seeing is genuinely freckling, or a mix of freckles and sun spots — since the two often appear together and can respond differently to treatment.
Recommended Treatments
- Pigmentation Spot Treatment — Pigmentation Spot Treatment — Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser that targets the pigment in freckles directly, fading them over the following weeks.
- Laser & IPL Facial — Laser & IPL Facial — our all-round Laser & IPL treatment; effective for freckling and overall tone, and suits every skin concern.
Recommendations depend on how many freckles you have, their depth, and how much fading you’d like to see — this is exactly what your consultation is for.
Recommended Skincare
- Cosmetic Skin Co Reusable Makeup Removal Pads (3-Pack) — Cosmetic Skin Co Reusable Makeup Removal Pads (3-Pack) — Lisa’s own go-to, used with every client in clinic; ultra-fine reusable microfibre pads that gently lift makeup and daily grime with just water.
- Retinol Peptide Complex — Retinol Peptide Complex — multi-action night serum that supports an even skin tone and gradual brightening.
- Royal Oil C — Royal Oil C — Vitamin C & Kojic Acid illuminating oil that hydrates while helping to brighten and even skin tone.
- Aspect Sun Envirostat SPF50 — Aspect Sun Envirostat SPF50 — broad-spectrum daily SPF; freckles darken with sun exposure, so consistent protection is key to keeping them light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can freckles be removed completely?
Freckles can be significantly faded, though because they’re genetic and sun-triggered, some may return with future sun exposure.
Will I get new freckles after treatment?
It’s possible, especially with unprotected sun exposure. Daily SPF is the best way to keep new freckling to a minimum.
Is freckle treatment painful?
Most clients describe a quick, mild snapping sensation, with little to no downtime.
Do freckles need to be treated at all?
Not at all — many clients love their freckles and simply want advice on sun protection. Treatment is entirely about your personal preference.
Can I have freckle treatment in summer?
Yes — summer treatments can still go ahead, as long as your skin is well prepped beforehand and you continue to follow your post-treatment care instructions.
Book a Consultation
Want to talk about your freckles — fading them, or just protecting them? Book a free skin consultation with Lisa.