<Things you should know> Correct knowledge about "blemishes and freckles" (2) Explanation of prevention and treatment methods for "blemishes and freckles" How to prevent blemishes and freckles How to deal with blemishes and freckles Nutrients to take in to reduce blemishes and freckles "Blemishes and freckles" can be difficult to deal with once they appear. To avoid regrets, it's important to take care to prevent them from increasing. However, if possible, we'd like to do something about the blemishes and freckles we already have. So, how exactly should we deal with them? We will explain in detail methods for preventing and treating blemishes and freckles, under the supervision of a dermatologist. How to prevent blemishes and freckles To prevent blemishes and freckles, it's important to review your daily lifestyle. First, let's talk about some basic methods that can help with prevention. Protect your skin from ultraviolet rays Ultraviolet rays are the biggest enemy of blemishes and freckles. To prevent blemishes and freckles from increasing, sun protection measures such as sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are essential.Choosing the right sunscreen is crucial for proper skincare. Select a type that blocks both UVB (medium-wavelength ultraviolet rays), which severely irritate the skin, and UVA (long-wavelength ultraviolet rays), which penetrate the dermis and contribute to aging. UVB protection is indicated by the SPF value, and UVA protection is indicated by the PA value. The SPF value indicates how much the skin inflammation (sunburn) caused by UVB can be delayed by applying sunscreen. The strength is represented by a number, and the higher the number, the greater the UV protection. On the other hand, the PA value represents the effectiveness of preventing UVA, which causes wrinkles and sagging, on a four-level scale using the number of plus signs, and the more plus signs there are, the greater the expected effect. For everyday life, an SPF of around 30 is usually sufficient, but if you're going out during the strongest hours of the day or engaging in outdoor activities in direct sunlight, an SPF of 50+ and PA+++ or higher is recommended. Regular lifestyle Diet and sleep are also closely related to preventing blemishes and freckles.While sunscreen can protect you from UV rays, it's ideal to also take measures through your diet. When eating, focus on a balanced diet centered around vegetables. If you're concerned about your diet, incorporating health foods or supplements is one option. It's a good idea to include vitamins B2 and B6, which help skin metabolism, as well as vitamins C and E, which have excellent antioxidant properties, coenzyme Q10, and polyphenols. Vitamin C is particularly effective as it works to suppress melanin production and promote collagen production. Consciously increasing your vitamin C intake can help prevent age spots. Furthermore, lack of sleep and overwork can disrupt the normal skin cycle, so getting plenty of sleep is also a preventative measure. Don't let stress build up too much. Mental fatigue and excessive stress can also negatively affect the skin. It's sometimes said that these can disrupt the body's physiological balance, leading to the formation of blemishes and wrinkles. Since physical activity can improve your mood, it's important to maintain a moderate level of exercise. Review your face-washing routine When caring for blemishes and freckles, the goal is to promote a normal "turnover" process, where old dead skin cells are shed. To achieve this, it's essential to thoroughly remove dirt from the skin during cleansing. However, be careful not to overdo it with scrub cleansers, electric brushes, or excessive cleansing in the morning. These can thin the stratum corneum, accelerate turnover, and weaken the skin's barrier function. Furthermore, be careful when drying your face with a towel after washing. Use a gentle touch to avoid damaging your skin with towel friction. How to deal with blemishes and freckles We all want to make existing blemishes and freckles as inconspicuous as possible. What are some ways to deal with them? Vitamins and amino acids provide care from the inside out. When treating blemishes and freckles, it's important to actively incorporate internal care as well. Vitamins C and A, which have antioxidant properties, are highly recommended. Vitamin C has the power to inhibit or reduce the production of melanin pigment.On the other hand, beta-carotene has the property of being converted into vitamin A in the body as needed. Among vitamins with antioxidant properties, beta-carotene is considered to have a strong ability to suppress reactive oxygen species that contribute to aging. Some people worry that excessive protection from ultraviolet rays will lead to a vitamin D3 deficiency. While it's true that vitamin D3 is produced when exposed to ultraviolet rays, it is synthesized even with short-term exposure, so there's generally no need to worry too much. If you are still concerned, you can ensure you get enough by supplementing with foods or supplements containing vitamin D3. In addition to vitamins, amino acids are essential for the normal functioning of skin cells. Cysteine, a type of amino acid, has the power to suppress the overproduction of melanin and support its breakdown. Visit a dermatologist. Dermatology offers various treatments for blemishes and freckles. Let's take a closer look below. Treatment with topical and oral medications When you visit a dermatologist, you will be prescribed topical and oral medications. Topical medications include vitamin C, which is produced in a form that can be absorbed through the skin. It is said that by applying it 2-3 times a day, the blemishes will gradually fade in about 3 months. Oral vitamin C is also prescribed at a dose of 1000-2000 mg per day, which is equivalent to more than 50 lemons. Intravenous vitamin C infusions are said to administer as much as 5000-10000 mg. Other oral medications include vitamin E and glutathione, and some doctors also administer vitamin injections. In recent years, retinoic acid (vitamin A), used overseas as an anti-wrinkle and acne treatment, has been attracting attention. However, it is not sold in Japan and is prescribed by a doctor, with the concentration adjusted according to the individual's skin condition. Generally, when retinoic acid is used, it is used in combination with the skin-whitening agent hydroquinone. In addition, dermatologists sometimes use medication to treat blemishes and freckles. For example, tranexamic acid is considered effective in treating melasma. Phototherapy (IPL) The treatment uses light with a wide wavelength range, similar to a camera flash, to illuminate the entire face. It acts on melanin to improve blemishes, freckles, and dullness, and also reduces redness by acting on oxyhemoglobin. Laser irradiation Q-switched alexandrite lasers are effective for age spots. After laser treatment, melanin-containing cells form scabs that peel off in 1-2 weeks. However, lasers are not suitable for treating melasma. For the treatment of seborrheic keratosis, carbon dioxide lasers are used. However, in many dermatology clinics, cotton ball therapy using liquid nitrogen is more common. peeling Chemical peels can promote epidermal cell turnover, and in some cases, this can lead to improvement by facilitating the elimination of melanin. Be careful in these situations! Diseases that resemble blemishes and freckles. What you might think are just ordinary blemishes or freckles could actually be a sign of a completely different condition. Check if you have any of the following symptoms. It has expanded and its shape has become distorted. A sore (erosion) formed inside the stain. The stain has gradually become raised. The spots have gradually gotten bigger. The variations in color tones have become more diverse. It's starting to look reddish. Pain and redness If you experience or experience worsening of any of the above symptoms, it could be a sign of a serious cancer, so you should see a dermatologist immediately. Nutrients to take in to reduce blemishes and freckles The foundation of beautiful skin is diet. Let's look at the nutrients you should include in your daily diet to care for blemishes and freckles. Vitamin C Vitamin C has the power to suppress oxidation in the early stages of melanin production and to lighten the color of the resulting melanin. It is also used in collagen synthesis, and a decrease in intake can reduce collagen production, leading to skin problems. It is abundant in foods such as broccoli, bell peppers, strawberries, and lemons. Vitamin E Vitamin E is a nutrient that helps remove reactive oxygen species generated in the body and enhances antioxidant capacity. It can be obtained from foods such as liver, eggs, vegetable oil, almonds, and sesame seeds. Vitamin A Vitamin A helps maintain the skin's immune function and keeps skin healthy. It also contributes to retaining skin moisture. A deficiency can lead to dry skin, skin irritation, and inflammation. It can be found in foods such as eel, liver, egg yolks, and milk. collagen Collagen, which forms a network in the dermis and works with elastin to give skin elasticity and flexibility, plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin. Furthermore, high-quality protein and vitamin C are necessary for collagen synthesis. In recent years, it has been scientifically proven that dipeptides such as proline-hydroxyproline and hydrooxyproline-glycine, which are produced when collagen is metabolized and broken down, act on fibroblasts to enhance the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Therefore, consuming collagen, such as gelatin, is considered beneficial for the skin. amino acid Amino acids are the building blocks of collagen and proteins, but they are also present in the epidermis of the skin. In the epidermis, they are components of natural moisturizing factors, which are one of the functions that keep the skin moisturized, and play an important role in maintaining beauty and health. Supervised by: Dr. Masamitsu Ichihashi, Director of Arts Ginza ClinicAfter graduating from Kobe Medical University, he studied at the Institute of Dermatology, University of London. After serving as a professor at Kobe University School of Medicine and director of the Regenerative Future Clinic Kobe, he opened Arts Ginza Clinic, which specializes in regenerative medicine. He is an honorary member of the Japanese Dermatological Association, a member of the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology, a board member of the Japanese Society for Pigmented Cells, and an auditor of the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine, among other academic activities. We take care to post accurate information,Please point out any incorrect information. 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