Do freckle-removal products really work?

Sep 24, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, skin-lightening products can be somewhat effective, but they cannot completely remove pigmentation. It is recommended to visit a正规 hospital and follow medical advice for proper treatment. For sun-induced pigmentation such as freckles and melasma, whitening ingredients in these products—such as vitamin C derivatives, arbutin, and niacinamide—can help inhibit melanin production and accelerate the metabolism of existing melanin.

In general, spot-removing products can be somewhat effective, but they are unable to completely eliminate pigmentation. It is recommended to seek treatment at a正规 medical institution under the guidance of a healthcare professional. The analysis is as follows:

For pigmentation such as freckles and melasma caused by sun exposure, whitening ingredients in spot-removing products—such as vitamin C derivatives, arbutin, and niacinamide—can inhibit melanin production and accelerate the metabolism of existing melanin, thereby achieving a certain degree of lightening effect on spots. However, since everyone's skin type, type of pigmentation, and underlying causes differ, the effectiveness of the same spot-removing product may vary significantly among individuals. If the ingredients and mechanism of action of a product align well with an individual’s skin condition and pigmentation characteristics, better results may be achieved.

If pigmentation is caused by deeper underlying factors such as hormonal imbalances, chronic illnesses, or genetic predisposition, topical spot-removing products alone are unlikely to provide a complete cure. In such cases, medical aesthetic treatments—such as photorejuvenation or laser pigmentation removal—may be necessary in combination.

In daily life, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and a balanced diet can also help improve pigmentation issues.