Why do people have freckles? Are they painful or dangerous to your health? No one is born with freckles, but when they appear, usually during childhood, people have many questions.
What Are Freckles?
Freckles are small or large spots on your skin that are slightly dark or much darker than the rest of your skin. Freckles are smooth and do not appear as growths on your skin. If you have a dark spot that is bumpy or raised up from the skin surface, it is a mole.
Freckles may be different colors like light or dark brown, red or tan. Some freckles may even be yellow.
Freckles are the result of a group of skin cells clumping together to create large amounts of melanin or pigment. These spots are not painful to the touch and can increase by exposing unprotected skin to the sun.
Why Do People Have Freckles?
Not everyone develops these spots. Scientists and health officials have noticed a certain criteria for freckles. Most people who have freckles fall under these categories.
Family Traits
If members of the family have freckles on their face or arms then chances are all members do. Family groups often share skin types, which mean they will experience similar skin issues.
Hair and Skin
People who have red hair and pale skin are more likely to have freckles. However, blondes and brunettes can have freckles too. Light-skinned and light-eyed individuals are more likely to have freckles.
Sun Exposure
Exposure to the sun will cause freckles to pop up, spread or darken. Freckles are a physical sign that your skin has been exposed to dangerous UV rays and your body is working to repair your skin.
Types of Freckles
Understanding the two main types of freckles may help you determine which type of freckle you may have.
- Ephelides: Ephelides are the most common types of ephelis, or freckles. They usually appear on the face, hands and arms of fair-skinned children after sun exposure. The longer the person is exposed to UV rays, the darker the ephilis becomes. This type of ephilis will fade with UV abstinence.
- Lentigines: There are two varieties of lentigines. Solar lentigines are known as age spots or liver spots. These freckles occur frequently on the hands, face and arms of middle aged and older people. Simple lentigines are odd shaped freckles that may be elongated or club-shaped.
Getting Rid of Freckles
Freckles are not dangerous, but they may be a warning to the sufferer to use better sun protection. When freckles appear, it is an indicator that your skin type may be susceptible to some type of skin cancers. Plain, flat freckles are non-cancerous legions. Even though these spots are not dangerous, they may appear unsightly to some. Some methods may help you fade your freckles slightly.
- Sunscreen: If you fall under the ephelides category, than your spots will fade eventually. Begin using a sunscreen daily to protect your skin and watch your freckles fade away.
- Laser Removal: Cosmetologists offer a laser removal procedure that burns the freckles from the skin. This procedure is not a cure for freckles and it can be painful. It may take several procedures before you see a difference in your skin.
- Bleaching Creams: Lighten your freckles by using a bleaching cream. You can buy these products over the counter at a pharmacy. The cream helps diminish the appearance of frechles over time.
- Home Treatments: Some believe a lemon juice freckle cure works well. Rub lemon juice on your freckles twice a day and wait at least 15 minutes before rinsing. Sour cream used in a similar fashion may also fade freckles. There are a host of freckle treatments available in home remedy recipe books.
Why do people have freckles and others do not? More than likely, you inherited your freckles from a close relative or member of your immediate family. Many people view freckles as distinctive and attractive, so if you've been blessed with this trait, don't stress. While simple steps can help new freckles from forming and existing freckles from darkening, this characteristic may just be another part of your beautiful skin.
