What are freckles?

Freckles are small, flat, harmless marks that appear on the skin. Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles.

Who can get freckles?

Some people are more likely to get freckles than others. The main variables include genes and skin type. If a person is genetically predisposed to freckles, exposure to sunlight can stimulate the production of more freckles. We may have freckles as children and over time it is possible for them to disappear or become less noticeable with age.

 Above is an example of our Freckles treatment. On the left is before the treatment and on the right is the result after one treatment.   

What causes Freckles?

Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. When it builds up under the skin, freckles may appear as small brown, red, or tan spots. 

Sun Exposure

Extra melanin in skin cells is produced to protect the skin from sun damage. Therefore, freckles tend to appear after sun exposure. They develop on areas often exposed to sunlight such as the: face, arms, neck, back, and chest.

Above is an example what your skin will look like immedicately after our Freckles treatment. It takes 3-5 days to scab, and 12-15 days for the scabs to fall off revealing drastically less freckles.

Genetics & Freckles

Genetics are another leading role in the development of freckles. The body can produce two types of melanin called pheomelanin and eumelanin. Eumelanin protects the skin from UV rays, but pheomelanin does not.
• A person with dark hair, eyes, and skin will typically produce more eumelanin. This person is also less likely to develop freckles.
• A person with red, blonde, or light brown hair who has light-colored skin is more likely to develop freckles because they mainly produce pheomelanin.

Preventing Freckles

By protecting your skin from the sun, you can reduce the chance of developing more freckles, however it will not reduce existing freckles.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommend the following tips to protect the skin in sunlight:
• wearing a water-resistant sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, and an SPF of 30 or higher
• covering up with long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses
• staying in the shade when the sun is strongest, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours when outside or after swimming or sweating
• avoiding tanning beds
 

When to see a doctor about Freckles

People should see a doctor if a mole, freckle, or sunspot:
• itches
• bleeds
• grows
• changes shape
• looks different to those around it