Freckles
What are Freckles?
Caused by the sun, freckles are small spots on the skin. They develop after repeated sun exposure. They are normally found on the face and do not cause health issues. They are very common and are seen many times in the summer, especially in those with lighter skin tones or those with red or light hair, although anyone with different skin and hair colours can have them. Freckles can also be genetic. The word freckle comes from the Middle English word freken, which actually came from the Old Norse freknur, meaning freckled.
What causes Freckles?
Freckles are caused by exposure to sunlight due to heavily concentrated forms of melanin, as well as inheriting them genetically. Melanin is responsible for the dark pigment of the skin. Freckles will always be darker than the surrounding skin, due to the melanin levels. While freckles are not a skin disorder, people with freckles do have a lower concentration of photoprotective melanin. This will make the skin more susceptible to the harmful UV rays that the sun produces. One can avoid the formation of freckles by wearing a quality SPF. Avoid being in the sunlight during the peak sunlight hours, which is 10 am to 4 pm. Covering the body with protective clothing, such as a wide brimmed hat and long sleeves, can also aid in preventing freckles from forming. Should you already have freckles, applying sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 and wearing protective clothing, as well as avoid sunlight during the peak hours, could assist in reducing the appearance of freckles.
The two types of Freckles
There are two forms of freckles, simple freckles and sunburn freckles. Simple freckles, which are also called ephelides, are small in size, usually about the size of a nail head. They are basically harmless and will show up on areas of the body that have been exposed to sunlight. They tend to be darker in the summer than they are in the winter, and are seen in many colors, such as red, brown, tan, black, and even yellow. The freckles will tend to be uniform in colour with simple freckles, and more often than not are seen on the face.
Sunburn freckles tend to show up on the shoulders and back and are larger in size than simple freckles. They are also called lentingines and may have an uneven border. Some will refer to sunburn freckles as liver spots, but these are more commonly seen in older people or people who have been exposed to a lot of direct sunlight for an extended period of time.
Freckles and Moles
Freckles are often mistaken for moles and other growths on the body. Should you have any concerns, you should see your dermatologist to rule out those concerns. They rarely develop into skin cancer and for the most part are completely harmless. Do note the often times skin cancer will disguise itself as a freckle or a cluster of freckles. Should freckles be bothersome to you for any reason, such as looks or appearance, there are a number of laser treatments available the market that will lighten or eliminate freckles. Watch out for the old wives tales, such as the many home remedies that have never been tested or clinically proven to work such as such as rubbing lemon juice onto the skin to help fade them. Some state that sour cream is also known to get rid of freckles due to the lactic acid found in sour cream. The instructions there states to apply sour cream on the skin and allow to sit for a few minutes, then rinse off with water. The other one we heard is to apply buttermilk to the skin, allowing it to set for 10 minutes or so, then rinse off with warm water. Once again these methods have never been tested so we don’t endorse them. For real clinically proven freckle treatment, you may be more interested in one of the many laser treatments that are available. Please see our freckle removal treatment page for more information. Your comments are also welcome below.
My niece has many freckles on her face. She is the cutest thing ever. I know that she hates them, as she had made comments here and there about them. She is only 9 years old but I always make sure to tell her that they are a part of her genetic makeup. Her father has them as well, so I am assuming that is where they come into play at. Anyways, if you ever hear someone say that they do not feel pretty because they have freckles, set them straight. It is something that one can live with and be proud of!
Aww such a lovely post. Some girls feel self concious.
Freckles are normal. She should be proud!
I have been working hard to lighten my freckles. I know that I have so many due to the fact that I am very fair skinned and have blonde hair. I have them on my face, as well as my arms. I do not mind them on my arms so much, but do not care much for them on my face. I have read that honey will help to fade them, so I have been applying a mask of honey each night. So far my skin has really gotten soft. I have not seen much of an improvement in them fading, but it might take a while. I never knew that sour cream could do the same thing, so I might give that a go as well. I have applied lemon juice to my face before, but I have sensitive skin and it stung, so I stopped. I wonder if you could dilute it with some water, if that would give the same impact.
I have many freckles on my face. I am 22 years old and I never saw them as a bother. I realized early on they made me different from everyone else. I have a light dusting of them on my nose and checks. I have come to learn to love them. They are beautiful to me. They seem natural to me and I could not imagine not having them.
If you want to try some home remedies, you could also papaya. Apply fresh papaya juice to the face with a cotton ball and then leave it set for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Use this method for a few weeks to see if you could work for you. One may also wish to try oatmeal mixed with buttermilk to make a paste. Leave on the face for half an hour, once a day, until the desired results are seen. Buttermilk will fade freckles while leaving the skin super soft. Buttermilk can also be mixed with lemon juice, leaving it set on the face for 10 minutes before rinsing off.
I have had freckles most of my life. In the early years, I hated them. I was embarrassed by them and hated to be called freckle face. I would often cry myself to sleep at night when I was in elementary school as kids were so cruel. My mother would soothe me, telling me how beautiful they made me. I never saw it til I was older. I had red hair and just thought that I was purely ugly. Now I am glad for my freckles. They make me me. I see them as helping make me gorgeous and there is nothing wrong with them. Ladies if you have freckles, be proud of them. They make you unique.