Freckles

Freckles are tiny spots of melanin on the skin which appear in small groups, they are usually hereditary and not any indication of ill health or harmful skin problems, usually seen in people with extremely fair complexions. They are mostly found on the face but not restricted to other body parts like neck, shoulders, chest and hands. Excessive exposure to sunlight is another reason for freckles to come up; they are a light brown, black, yellow or red in color and are darker than the skin on which they appear.

Types of Freckles

There are two types of freckles

• Ephelides - These freckles usually appear during the summer months and fade away in the winters, these are a light brown or red in coloration. These are hereditary in nature and appear on people with fair complexions, avoiding exposure to sun light and using sunscreen can control ephelides.
• Lentigines - These are black or a light brown in color and usually do not fade away even in the winters. Much darker the ephelides, these are also known as lentigo simplex.

Some Freckle Facts

• Freckles are sometimes confused as moles, sometimes a serious skin problem might be thought of as freckles.
• Fenugreek oil was used in the olden days to treat freckles; later lime was used as an easy home therapy.

Sun & Freckles

Once the skin that is susceptible to freckles is exposed to sunrays, melanocytes in the skin produce the melanin pigment excessively resulting in freckles. Although people with darker skin complexion do not develop freckles unlike fair skinned people, their skin is not totally sun resistant and might get sun burned if exposed excessively to the suns ultra violet rays. Blondes and red heads need more sun protection to avoid freckles.

Warning Bells

If you notice tiny pigmented spots on any part of your skin, its advised to get them examined and take necessary care, rushing to your dermatologist in the 11th hour cannot solve the freckle trouble as easily as treating it in its initial stages.

Preventing Freckles

• You need to be more careful if there is a genetic history of freckles running in the family, use sunscreen with appropriate SPF levels while you go out.
• Limit sun exposure as much as possible. There is a risk of skin cancer involved for people prone to freckles, but freckles do not develop in to skin cancer.
• Avoid sun tanning and sun burns.
• Laser treatment is an option to lessen freckles; it is safe with high success rates.
• Bleaching cream containing hydroquinone lightens freckles.
• Freezing techniques and chemical peels can reduce, lessen freckles.