I used to avoid mirrors the way some people avoid exes — awkwardly, strategically, and with a touch of panic.
Not because I hated how I looked, exactly.
But because of the freckles.
Not the cute, symmetrical sun-kissed kind you see on influencers.
Mine were patchy, blotchy, and loud — covering my cheeks, nose, and forehead like a map of all the bad skincare decisions I’d ever made.
Makeup couldn’t hide them. Sunscreen couldn’t prevent them.
And I was sick of pretending they didn’t bother me.
🤐 The Shame We Don’t Talk About
I know — some people romanticize freckles.
But here’s what it felt like on my end:
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Cancelling beach trips because I knew the sun would make them worse.
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Dodging photos because flash made them more obvious.
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Layering foundation on top of concealer on top of regret.
I once had someone say, “Oh, I thought you had dirt on your face.”
I laughed it off. But inside, I wanted to disappear.
🙄 Why Creams and Peels Didn’t Cut It
Like many people, I wasted a stupid amount of money trying to “fade” them:
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$60 brightening cream that stung like betrayal.
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DIY lemon masks (burned my skin, did nothing else).
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Retinol overload that gave me peeling skin… and still left the freckles.
I tried it all.
But the freckles? They stayed.
💡 The Moment I Said “F**k It” and Booked the Laser
It was after a birthday party.
I saw the group photo and didn’t recognize myself.
Just… blotches. Shadows. A version of me I no longer wanted to tolerate.
I Googled:
“Laser treatment for freckles — does it actually work?”
And three rabbit holes later, I found a clinic near me using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser — a legit one that targets melanin without melting your face off.
I booked the consultation before I could talk myself out of it.
⚡️Session 1: Reality Check
The laser felt like snapping elastic bands across my face. Sharp, but fast.
Afterward, my freckles looked darker than ever — like coffee stains splattered across my cheeks.
The nurse told me:
“That’s a good sign. The pigment is breaking up.”
Still, I panicked. I wore a mask in public — and not the COVID kind. I layered hoodies. I hid.
But a week later, those dark spots started flaking off.
And underneath? Skin I hadn’t seen in years.
💥 Session 2: Real Progress
By the second session, I noticed it:
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My skin looked smoother.
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The heavy shadows were lighter.
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I started wearing less makeup — and didn’t feel weird about it.
For the first time in years, I FaceTimed someone without filter or foundation.
And I didn’t cringe.
🌈 Session 3: The Shift
After the third session, I stopped hiding.
No, seriously. I stopped walking with my head down in store aisles.
I stopped declining photo tags.
I even — and this shocked me — started loving how I looked without makeup.
Not because I looked perfect.
But because I looked like me. A clearer, softer, realer version of me.
🧴 The Truth About Post-Laser Life
Here’s what I wish someone had told me:
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SPF is your new religion. Skip it once, and the freckles can return.
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Hydration is key. No harsh actives for at least two weeks.
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Maintenance is a thing. I’ll probably do a touch-up in a year. Worth it.
And don’t just go to any clinic. Vet your technician. Ask about your skin type.
Laser isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s precision work.
🙌 Confidence Isn’t Just Skin Deep — But It Starts There Sometimes
People say, “You should love yourself as you are.”
And sure, that’s a beautiful sentiment. But sometimes, loving yourself means doing the thing that helps you come out of hiding.
For me, that was laser.
It wasn’t vanity.
It was liberation.
If you’re sitting on the fence, scared of judgment, or wondering if it’s “worth it” — I’ll say this:
If it helps you show up in the world a little brighter, a little bolder, and a lot more you — then hell yes, it’s worth it.
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